Page 54 of Rush

The arena goes feral hooting and hollering.

I giggle. “Woo, let’s get a little physical with aTouch.”

The crowdscreams, and the smile on my face only deepens.

I steady myself, as the slow, sultry beat begins, closing my eyes.

The memories of him come rushing back in. Fast and unexpected.

Alex.

Looking at me like I was the only girl in the room. His hands on my skin—rough, demanding, knowing how to make me fall apart. The way he made mefeelsexy,wanted,alive.

“Didn’t know skin could whisper like that. Didn’t know nerves could hum, react. One look, one breath, I was off the map. Now I’m chasing that moment back.”

A shiver runs through me. God, Imissthat.

I misshim.

The way he touched me.

The way he made me scream his name.

I ache at the thought.

My grip tightens on the microphone, voice dipping lower, huskier, as I lean into the second verse, imagining for a moment he’s still here.

As the song builds, rhythm pulsing through my skin, something shifts. The hands I’m imagining aren’t Alex’s—they’re Broderick’s. Steady. Strong. The wayhelooks at me like I’m worth something.

The thought blindsides me as I push through the final chorus.

He’s here, somewhere in the crowd—no, in the suites. I glance up but there’s no way I can make it out from down here.

But I know he’s watching me. Pulling at me with that impossible magnetism. The rest of the arena blurs away. The last note fades, and I lower the mic.

It catches me off guard, as I plaster a forced smile on my face while a torrent of confused thoughts play on my mind.

What the hell was that?

The crowd roars, but inside, I’m spinning.

I let myself soak up the applause one last time.

“You guys have beenamazing, I promise not to kiss and tell,” I say with a practiced wink, and they scream as I head off stage, heart pounding harder than ever.

Because for all the noise, all the cheers…I know what’s waiting when the lights go down.

A mixture of the adrenaline from tonight, the ache of missing Alex and the lingering tension between Broderick and I.

“Girl you killed it out there.” Ava beams as we pass by each other in the hallway.

“They’re all warmed up for you.” Chest heaving as I catch my breath.

“More like hot and bothered.” She laughs, giving me a pat on the back. “Now get cleaned up and enjoy the rest of the show.”

“I can’t wait.”

She blows me a series of kisses before she’s ushered toward the stage.