He throws out some cash on the counter and smacks his hand on the counter and moves like he’s going to turn away, but then pauses and turns back.
“We have to get to the Center for a last minute sound check. Would you two want to come with us?” He looks at Mia. “You could meet the rest of the band and then I can get you some tickets to the concert tomorrow.
"Yes!"
“I can’t.”
Zack glances back and forth and between us with Mia's look of excitement completely opposite my look of, fear, maybe?
Mia's face softens with a loving smile as she turns to me, and I know I look like an idiot standing here saying nothing. Coming to Jack’s Bar was one thing, but actually going to listen to Zack Walter’s play live? It’s too much.
She leans in and whispers. “You remember what tonight is about?”
Zack looks confused, and rightfully so. I swear silently to myself as Mia pleads with her eyes for me to say yes. I can’t resist her.
With a very small smile and equally quiet voice Mia just used with me, I nod my head and look at Zack.
"Sure, Zack. That'd be really nice. Thank you."
"Good.” His eyes sparkle, just a bit, and he smacks Jake on the shoulder. “Our driver, Darren, is waiting for us, but pull up to the South Entrance at the Center in ten minutes and he’ll be outside for you.”
He takes a few steps towards me and I freeze. I cling tightly to my beer bottle when his hand reaches out and softly touches one of the curls in my hair. His eyes soften and suddenly all I can to is stare at the light green that has darkened slightly. One side of his lips quirk up just a little bit, leaving this sexy smirk. I have a feeling it’s the same one that causes girls all over the country to drop their panties at his concerts. Or at least that’s Mia claims. But I totally get the feeling because I suddenly have butterflies flying like mad in my stomach as he gazes down on me. Screw that, it’s not butterflies, it feels more like monkeys jumping on a trampoline. And it scares the hell out of me, but not in a bad, I need to run away now, way. More like it feels so good, I want to lean closer and snuggle up to him sort of way.
“See you in ten minutes?” He asks so softly and roughly that I almost don’t hear him over the noise in the bar. I’m stuck stupid and can’t say anything, so I just nod. At least I hope that’s what I do because I can’t really tell if I’m moving at all.
He lets go of my hair and chuckles softly – more to himself than me- and flashes a wave and large smile to Mia. “See you soon.”
I watch him walk away, still frozen.
“Oh my shit,” Mia whispers and I turn to her, with my mouth nearly on the ground. “That was hot.”
My eyes widen but she just laughs at me. “Don’t tell me you didn’t realize he was hitting on you just then. I mean I know it’s been awhile but he just stared at you like a starving man needing dinner.”
I roll my eyes and shake my head, trying to clear my mind from whatever just happened.
She links my arm with hers and I follow her out the door, still slightly stunned that not only did Zack Walters just hit on me…did he, really? But even more stunned that a man touching me didn’t feel nearly as scary or as uncomfortable as I thought it would.
I actually enjoyed it.
Chapter Three
I feel the beat of a bass drum vibrating along the floor before we open the doors to the arena’s stage floor. I wipe my sweaty palms along the sides of my skirt and press my fingers into the palm of my hands hoping even the smallest amount of pain will take my focus off the overwhelming nerves flooding me. I clench my eyes shut tightly and exhale loudly.
Mia’s hand takes my elbow firmly. I look to her and all I can think about is how terrified I am, of potentially hearing one of the very last songs I heard over a year ago, and at the same time, how sick I am of being terrified all the time. I have to do this. If there’s even the smallest desire in me of