And me?
I can’t deny the thrill either, the electrifying connection with Dare that sets my blood on fire. But tonight, there’s a bitter tang to the sweetness, an ache in my heart that spoils my perfect performance. It’s hard to put my heart into what I’m doing when it’s somewhere else.
Tris... damn it!
His name stirs a storm inside me as our song hits the climax and the crowd erupts into another deafening roar. I thought working around his absence would be... easier? But now, under the glaring stage lights and amidst these pulsating beats, I yearn for his harmonies more than ever.
Dare’s eyes meet mine as I return from my mental tangent. They’re vibrant, alluring pools of greenish-blue that seem to see right through me. He gives me an encouraging nod, chasing away the ghost of Tris from between us… at least for the moment.
His strong hands slide along my sides until he’s bracing me in the middle of my back, and I bend backward. His other hand glides along my leg, lifting it in the air.
It never fails to give me goosebumps, having his hands on me like this. The tender way he touches me. That irresistible spark between us. It’s that chemistry that the fans eat up. That’s why they ship us together. The reason for #TeamDarius.
He helps me stand straight as the last note of the song leaves my lips, but instead of stepping away and spinning me out so we can face the audience, he holds me against his body. His gaze locked on mine as we both breathe deeply.
My chest brushes against his as tingles travel over my skin. And then he’s kissing me, his lips creating a spark as they meet with mine. It only lasts a moment, we have an audience after all, and I’m sure somewhere in the back of his mind, he doesn’t want to inspire Nash’s jealous streak—we all know he’d rip Darius off me creating a scene of epic proportions.
We step apart and face the fans, and I have to force myself not to touch my lips with my fingertips. I feel shooketh to my core. What even just happened?
Why would he do that?
I mean… Iknowwhy, but fuckingwhy?
The audience screams, reaching all new decibels. Not sure if I’ve ever heard them this loud before.
All of a sudden, it shifts. “Tristan! Tristan! Tristan!”
My mouth drops open. Of course this would happen seconds after Darius kisses me. I move to the edge of the stage where I’m able to see into the crowd and find them splitting apart, revealing my ex-best friend.
Okay, fine. It’s actually an aisle and people are getting out of his way, but it doesn’t change the effect it gave. My heart pounds out of my chest, giddy butterflies taking flight, and the biggest smile takes over my face.
As much as I want to, I’m smart enough to not jump off the stage to run to him. That would be a security nightmare, and I’m not that big of a dick to put my team through that.
Instead, I breathe out his name. “Tris.” It’s light and breathy, but the microphone still picks it up and his gaze meets mine. Our eyes lock, and it feels as if the world has stopped spinning. The fans fall silent for a moment—a split second of awestruck silence.
He smiles that crooked smile of his, one he used when we were kids that hints at danger and breaking the rules. He gives me a wink that makes a giddy laugh fall out of me—one that, of course, gets caught by the headset—and he starts making his way towards the stage in slow, deliberate strides.
The anticipation is killing me, but it gives me time to take him in as he finds the stairs on the side of the stage. He has one arm carefully tucked against his ribs, his other waving to the fans who’ve started cheering his name all over again.
“Oh, come on, Tris. You’re keeping the fans waiting,” I tease as he takes the stairs slowly. He’s smiling, but it almost seems like he’s trying to keep me from seeing his wince of pain.
“You going to make me come all the way?” he shouts over the noise from the audience. He reaches the top of the stairs and I can’t hold myself back anymore; I run across the stage as he rushes toward me and jump into his arms.
I squeeze him around the neck, nuzzling my face into the crook and taking a deep breath. Leather and bergamot. Damn have I missed that smell. It just feels like home. Like I can finally relax and be myself. Which is fucking crazy because not that long ago he was twisting my lyrics around, trying to purposefully hurt me.
“I missed you,” I say, because it’s true. I can admit it even if I don’t forgive him.
The words carry through the microphone reminding me that nothing will remain private with it on, and I unfortunately have a show to finish for my fans…
Irun off the stage with a quick wave to the audience and search for Tristan. “Where is he?” I ask Gill, who’s standing on thesidelines with a tablet in her hands, ready to take care of any needs at a moment’s notice.
“He saw Mr. Lexington lurking around and decided to wait in your dressing room,” she says, giving me a broad smile. I really appreciate her not calling that bastard by our familial link. It’s bad enough that we share the same last name. Perhaps I should think about changing it…
“Thanks, Gill!” I wave to her as I once again take off, not wanting to waste a single second until I’m with Tristan again. He’ll be lucky if I ever let him out of my sight again.
“Raina! Where are you going?” Darius shouts after me, but I’m in too much of a rush. They can meet me in the dressing room when they get there. It’s not like they’ll be that far behind.
Navigating through the backstage areas is always a risk. Unsecured cords and unseen instrument cases could easily trip me up at any moment. But I can’t resist taking the dangerous route.
