in the middle seat at the middle table in the middle of the room. She was dead center in the middle of the stage. A raging fire wouldn’t get her to move from that seat.
“I wonder if these tables can be moved?” Grace asked, trying to scoot the table next to theirs closer.
“Why?” Emily asked.
“For starters, where’s your boyfriend going to sit when he’s not onstage? In your lap? There’s only three chairs to a table and these are already taken. Plus, Zeke and Brian will need a place to sit, and so will the rest of the band.”
“Good point,” Emily said, reluctantly getting up to help slide tables and move chairs.
“See,” Grace said, plopping down in the seat next to Emily. “Better, right?”
Emily didn’t respond, too engrossed watching Tommy help the guys get the instruments ready. Grace eyed the stage, not really interested in watching the band set up, but there wasn’t anything else for her to do. Zeke wasn’t there to talk to, Emily didn’t want to talk, and Leah was clearly too nervous. Grace glanced at her friends and wondered when they both became nothing but about the guys they crushed on. She wondered if she should be concerned, or thankful she hadn’t met anyone who completely consumed her like that.
Much to Grace’s surprise, eight thirty rolled around before she knew it. People-watching happened to be one of her favorite pastimes, and as the room quickly filled up, there were plenty of people at The Board Shop for that.
Tommy stepped up to the mic, holding nothing but his confidence. “Hi, everyone.” The crowd hooted and hollered. His only saying hello disappointed her. This crowd was way bigger than at Latté Da’s and in a different town. It seemed a better way would have been a shouted, “Hellooo, Bountifullll!” with a fist in the air. Maybe she was dreaming too big for Distant Echo right now?
“This one’s for my baby.” Tommy grabbed the mic from the stand, then glanced back to the band to give them their cue. The drummer started first, keeping tempo for the guitars to follow, then the keyboard. True to his word, he didn’t scream words into the mic that made her want to curl in on herself and protect her ears. It was nice. Grace listened with excitement and fascination, mixed up with a little relief. The music definitely wasn’t like it was last week, and she found herself starting to relax.
Emily made sappy lovesick eyes at Tommy the whole time he sang. Every now and then he’d make eye contact back, winking his acknowledgement of his girl. Each time he did that, it was like a fan-girl took possession of Grace’s best friend’s body. She screamed, shouted, and fanned her face. Sweet and funny and rather annoying, Grace thought. But all in all, she really was happy Emily had found love. Her mind drifted a little, thinking about where Emily and Tommy’s relationship might go, and she thought about how she would kick her butt if Emily ditched her plans for going to college, a goal she’d shared with Grace and had been planning together since they were little girls.
Leah, on the other hand, sat on the edge of her seat, nervously turning around every few minutes looking toward the front door. A couple of songs in, Zeke and Brian finally showed up. Grace waved in their direction so they’d know where the group was sitting. Zeke sat next to Grace—no surprise there—and Brian sat next to Leah, which actually did surprise Grace since he was shyer than her. Apparently Leah was shocked as well. When the song was over, Zeke leaned on the table closer to Grace.
“Sorry we’re late. I couldn’t get my damn car to start.”
“Uh-oh,” Grace said with a slight smile.
He tried saying something else, but the music started up again and drowned out anything he attempted to say. Distant Echo played a couple more songs and then announced the headline band was coming on next.
Thumping drumbeats had Grace bringing her attention back to the stage. Her heart stuttered as she focused on the band. You’ve got to be kidding me, she thought. Standing only ten feet in front of her, dazzling underneath shining, brightly colored lights, was none other than Darius. He was the lead singer of Falling Down, the main act. Stunned, Grace listened intently as the band started to play.
The music was loud and angry. Not quite mosh-worthy, but close. Grace could only make out a