“Change of plans?” he asks.

“Yes. Sorry. Is it a problem?”

“Nope. Here.” He hands me a few extra picks, and I slide them into my back pocket. “You’re all set.”

I give him a nod of thanks and suddenly Roxanne is in my face. “Nervous?”

“A little bit, yeah.”

“Well, snap out of it. You’re stepping on stage in less time than it takes to pour a cup of coffee.”

My expression twists. “Gee. Thanks for the pep talk, coach.”

She gives me the first genuine smile I’ve ever received from her. “You don’t need any talk from me. I saw the effect you had on that girl at the meet and greet. I don’t know what you said to her, but she was grinning from ear to ear. I like it.” She leans closer. “Now go out there and show the boys how it’s done.”

I’m starting to like Rox a little more now.

Drew walks on to the darkened stage and I go with him. I find my place and plug into the sound system as he gets settled behind his kit. Paul joins us, and my eyes catch the first arena audience I’ve ever seen.

Now would be a good time to remember how to breathe.

My hand clutches the neck of my guitar as I stare. I can see the arena isn’t full by any means; however, a lot of people have found their seats. Other concert-goers wander the aisles trying to find their section and, closer to the stage, I see people returning to their friends carrying plastic cups. Drew hits the bass drum a few times and does a quick fill, testing the sound of his equipment. This gets the attention of the audience and, realizing something is about to happen, a small cheer erupts. The sound sends chills down my spine.

Paul gets my attention from across the stage. He tests a few chords, and I respond back on the Fender. Satisfied with the sound coming through the amps, he starts the bass line that will weave into our first song. In this big space, with this many speakers, you can almost see the notes vibrate through the air. On his cue, Drew jumps into the mix, pounding the drums in a familiar rhythm. Each hit resonates deep in my chest and I close my eyes, listening until the hair on the back of neck stands on end. It’s time for me to add the hook.

Taking a deep breath, I think of Latson and his faith in me. I think of Oliver, my brother, Jules, and everything that’s brought me here. I open my eyes and see Dean standing at the side of the stage, ready to make his entrance. I strike my first note.

And find absolute heaven.

~~~~

“Break free of the bonds

Break free of the chains

Own the blood

That runs through your veins

Love’s bigger than you

And it’s bigger than me

We’re breaking free, baby

We’re breaking free.”

I finish singing the chorus with Dean. “Breaking Free” is the last song of our set. As the final notes of our instruments fade, Dean sings the ending lines solo:

“There’s so much more out there to see

If love breaks one of us, let it be me.”

The crowd cheers as his voice drifts away.

“Thank you!” Dean says into the mic. He wipes the sweat off his forehead with his arm. “We’ve had a great time with you tonight, L.A. Now, who’s ready to see Ariel Allyn?” He puts his hand to his ear and the crowd roars. He looks over his shoulder at us, grins, and faces the audience once more. “That’s what we thought. It won’t be long now.”

He lifts one hand above his head in a wave, our signal to join him at the front of the stage. The guys and I leave our places to form a crooked line with him in the middle. Dean speaks, his voice echoing through the speakers. “Thanks for a great show, Los Angeles!  We’ll see you all again real soon.” I watch him take a small bow over his guitar and see Drew wave his sticks in the air. Paul and I wave too, and I know my smile consumes my face. So much adrenaline is pumping through my veins right now, I don’t know what I’ll do to contain myself once we’re off stage.

Speaking of off stage, as we exit, I catch a glimpse of Heidi and her friends near the front row. They’re being so loud they’re impossible to miss. Heidi must catch me watching because she shuts up for a second. I’m not close enough to see her eyes but I’m sure they’re shooting daggers at me. It doesn’t matter. Nothing can ruin this high.

Nothing.

As soon as we’re out of sight, the crew descends upon us again. We’re stripped of everything technical and electronic, and even the Fender finds its case. I’m confused as to how it got backstage, but I’m so geeked about the show I don’t care. People rush everywhere to transform the stage for Ariel, and I realize I should get out of the way. Dean is talking to Roxanne, so I start to head in that direction. Suddenly, strong arms wrap around my waist, stopping and startling me.

“You blew me away out there.”

His voice melts over my skin, warm and soft beneath my ear. I turn around and throw my arms around him. “You’re here!”

Latson grins before ducking his head to catch my mouth with his. It’s a greedy kiss, one I’ve missed, and I pull him closer by the back of his neck. He holds me tight, clutching my waist, as I press the length of my body against his. “Surprise,” he says when we take a breath.

This night couldn’t get any better. “How long have you been here?”

“Since we talked on the phone. I was in a cab when you called.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because I didn’t want to distract you. Dean needed you focused.”

“He knew?”

“Who do you think sent me this?” He holds up a backstage pass. “It pays to grow up with the lead singer.”

I look at the plastic and get hopeful. “Please tell me that’s good for tomorrow, too.”

“Definitely. Oliver is staying with Mrs. Gibson until you leave for Anaheim.”

I bounce up and down on my toes, then pull him toward me and kiss him again. I get to keep him for two whole nights.

“So, how do you feel?” Latson searches my face. “How was your first show?”

“It was …”  I can’t find words. I don’t think anything I say will do the experience justice. “It consumed me.”

He gives me a gentle, knowing smile and brushes his thumb across my cheek. “You were incredible.”

Dean appears beside us. “I see you found each other.” He looks pointedly at me. “I promised you’d be together soon.”

“You did,” I say. “Thanks for delivering.”

“C’mon.” He waves us forward. “Let’s get out of here.”

“Where are we going?”

“Up to the label’s private suite. Ariel said we could watch her perform from there.”

He walks away and my jaw drops. I had hoped I would get to see some of Ariel’s show, especially after being attacked by her props.  I assumed if I did it would be from the television in the dressing room or some other obscure location, not a suite. Excited, I start to follow Dean until Latson takes my hand and stops me.

“Hey.”

I face him. “What’s up?”

“Do you really want to watch Ariel?”

“Yes. Don’t you?”

He looks confused. “Isn’t there anything else you’d rather do?”

“Like what?” I know this scene is nothing new to him, but it’s shiny and sparkly to me. “I’ve never seen her perform before. I’ve also never been in a private suite. It sounds like fun.”

Latson looks disappointed, then shakes the expression away. “You’re right. Let’s go.”

“What is it?  What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” He starts to walk. “Sometimes I forget our experiences are different. Just because you’re on tour doesn’t mean you’ve seen it all.”

We make it out of the backstage area and into the hallway I took from the dressing room. We look left and right until we see Dean waving to us from an elevator. Once we make it inside, Latson’s fingers tighten around mine.

“So, what’d you think?” Dean turns toward Latson. “Did you notice we changed the end of “Over-Exposed”?”