“Shots!” Desi shouted.
I wasn’t a drinker, but I was a chameleon. I would blend in.
Gavin poured the drinks then passed them around. “To an amazing night for The Quakes!” They clanked their glasses together then downed them. I sipped mine then pretended I just took a strong gulp
Sitting on the couches, we discussed the night in detail. Gavin moved closer to me as he consumed more liquor. I noticed it but didn’t react. It probably didn’t mean anything and I was being totally paranoid. Gavin was just elated about the night we had.
I was usually nervous during shows, but after the first song played, I lost my anxiety. Then I lost myself in the music, forgetting about the audience entirely. I was in my childhood bedroom, strumming on my guitar.
When they brought up the guy who came backstage, I felt my heart accelerate. LA was known for models, beautiful actresses, and fit bodies, but he was truly exceptional. Through his t-shirt, the muscles were prevalent. His shoulders were strong and broad, and he towered over me with his height. But his face was the best.
He had bright blue eyes, the color of the ocean. When I first looked at him, I was startled by the amazing shade. The mysteries of the deep came to me, dark and uncertain. But I still liked it. An innate attraction formed in my heart. His natural confidence and grace captured me immediately. I wanted to look away when he was staring at me, but I was unable to. I was gawking and he probably knew it. My cheeks tinted the longer I looked at him.
“That guy was hot,” Desi blurted.
I glared at her, feeling jealous for no legitimate reason.
“Was he a model?” she continued. “Maybe we should put him on the cover of our CD.”
“Or not,” Gavin said quickly. “I was hoping he was an executive or something. Unfortunately, he was just an average Joe.”
“He had the confidence of someone who wasn’t average.” The words formed in my brain then left my lips quicker than I could stop them.
Desi winked at me. “Someone thought he was hot too.”
My cheeks blushed.
“And I think he had a thing for you. Who shakes someone’s hand that long?” Desi asked.
Gavin stared at me, watching the slight lift of my lips.
“I think you’re reading too much into it,” I said. “If he was interested, he would have asked me out.”
That seemed to placate Gavin.
“Who says he won’t?” Desi asked.
“Well, he missed his chance,” Mason said. “He’s not always going to get backstage.”
The idea of not seeing him again made me sad. But it was a stupid feeling to have. Our interaction lasted five minutes, if that. I think being in a new country was going to my head. And I think his beauty was going between my legs.
After we finished celebrating, we decided to retire for the night. Gavin stayed on the couch when Mason walked into the bedroom. I had a feeling he was waiting for me. “Ready for bed?” I asked Desi.
“Umm…sure.” Desi eyed me suspiciously.
Gavin looked disappointed.
We walked into the bedroom together then shut the door. After we changed into our pajamas, we lay in our separate twin beds.
Desi stared at the ceiling. I couldn’t see her in the darkness, but I saw her shadow every time she tossed and turned. “You did great tonight, Pru.”
I smiled. “You did too.”
“Not like you. If any one of us is going to hit it big, it’s you.”
“We’re a team,” I whispered. “If one of us makes it, we all make it.”
“I sure hope so.” She turned again. “That guy was dreamy, wasn’t he?”
I released the air I was holding in my lungs. “He was.”
“I could eat him with a spoon. I’m jealous you got to hold his hand. He touches himself with that.”
I laughed loudly. “You’re so gross, Desi.”
“I’m just honest.”
“We should just forget about him. In a city as big as this, we won’t run into him again.”
“And what if you do?”
“What are you asking?”
“Would you go out with him?” Desi turned toward me and leaned up on her elbow.
I rested my hands on my chest and felt my sporadic heartbeat. Of course I’d go out with him. I’d never seen a guy so gorgeous in my life. When he touched me, I practically exploded. Chemistry like that isn’t normal for me. “Duh.”
“I’d fuck him so hard.”
“Desi!” I threw a pillow at her head.
“What? Like you wouldn’t.”
“I wouldn’t!”
“Yeah…okay,” she said sarcastically.
My cheeks blushed. “Okay. I would.”
“Now look who’s a tramp.”
I chuckled. “Give me back my pillow.”
She tossed it across the room. “Throw it again and you won’t get it back.”
I snuggled into my pillow and sighed. A smile formed on my lips when I replayed the night in my mind. I knew we would never make it big. We were just small fish in an ocean of sharks. But the journey was still worth experiencing. And meeting that man backstage was a part of that experience. Lives were meant to connect then disappear, not last forever. That short interaction was a moment to remember, but never relive. The knowledge made me sad, but I accepted it. And I decided to write a song about it.
Chapter Six
Cash Matthews
I arrived at the Pantages Theatre early.
Because I was a crazy stalker and had to see this damn girl again.
I knew the director of the theatre so I met him before the show began. I was able to make special arrangements for the tickets Prudence and her friends bought. She wouldn’t be sitting with them. I’ll say that much.
When people started to file in, I moved to the balcony and the private box I purchased. It was blocked off from everyone else, giving me plenty of time and space to make my move. I waited for Prudence, my musician, to join me. There would obviously be confusion at the box office, but I made it very clear that Prudence had to sit with me—no one else. If Gavin showed up, I’d push him over the balcony. I wasn’t sure why I hated the guy so much. I just did.
The door opened and I knew I wasn’t alone. Not moving from my seat, I waited for her to approach me. I wanted to appear cool and confident.