AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Okay then. I’ll give you a shout tomorrow. Talk about rehearsals and the set list.”
“Sounds good.” She nodded.
As soon as he was gone, she moved closer to Pres. “You lied about my car.”
“I figured you wouldn’t want your business being broadcasted around town. But I needed his help to get home.” He shrugged, it wasn’t a big deal.
“You didn’t need to cover for me.”
“You want me telling everybody?” he asked her.
“Not really.” A ghost of a smile passed her lips.
“That’s what I figured.”
She nodded.
“You worried about the gig?” he asked her. “I saw you frown when Marley mentioned it earlier.”
“Not worried. Just… I don’t want to let any of you down.” Her words sounded true. Genuine.
“You won’t let us down. We wouldn’t be playing without you. And it’s only a small venue.”
“On a Friday night.”
“Most places aren’t open except on the weekends around here. And you’re ready. You know you are.”
“Do I?” she asked softly.
“Yeah, you do.” The corner of his lip quirked. “You’re a hard worker. You know the songs, you know the emotions. You hit them every time.”
“And if I don’t, you’ll be there to catch me.”
“Something like that.” His voice was thick.
“Then I’m not afraid.” Her gaze was sure as it caught with his.
And damn if he didn’t like that. A little too much. “Glad to hear it.”
Chapter
Eleven
Pres had been right, she realized the next week when they were on the small stage in the corner of the bar. Starting their set with a fast song had been the right thing to do. The floor was full of people – locals and fans who’d traveled to watch Altered Reality’s comeback gig. And they were all on the dance floor, their bodies swaying, their voices moving as they sang in time.
Cassie’s heartbeat was thumping to the sound of Marley’s drums.
There was a sense of expectation as the song came to an end, and she started to wonder if they should have segued into another fast hit. They had enough of them. And Presley always took the lead with the fast songs, while she could kind of hide behind the keyboard and sing the harmonies when needed.
But not the next song. No, this one required her to step into the light. And she should want that, right?
She’d yearned for it as a dancer. And sure, half of that yearning came from a desire to please her mom. But still, it was what she was trained for. So she squared her shoulders and grabbed the wireless mic stand, carrying it over to the front as Presley smiled at the audience.
“We’re gonna take it down a notch,” he told them in a low voice. “This is a new one. Hope you like it.”
He looked down at his guitar, his lashes sweeping as he moved his fingers to form the first chord. A sudden memory of how rough they’d felt against her soft skin washed over her.
Then he strummed and glanced at her, his eyes heavy lidded and she felt it.
