Page 36 of Before the Encore

Her mouth lifted, unable to help it.

Madison’s voice lowered. “Really, though, you good?”

Breathing no longer resembled knives digging between her ribs, so she supposed so. The crowd roared from behind the walls.

The show. The fans. Bonnie’s spine snapped straight. “You’re going to be late.”

“That’s to be expected.” Madison rolled her shoulders. “But I’m not leaving ’til I hear you say you’re okay.”

Warmth slipped into her belly, slow and tender. She gritted her teeth, cursing her body for the reaction, cursing the woman in front of her for being attentive and kind, when she was anything but. The industrial carpet suddenly became interesting. “I’ll be fine. I’m just nervous.”

“I get it. It’s a big day.”

Bonnie nodded. She combed over Madison’s outfit—black pinstripe trousers and a tight white vest, showcasing the tattoos winding around her arms. “I can’t imagine you being nervous.”

She scoffed. “Everyone gets nervous.”

“You’re going to be amazing,” Bonnie said, surprised that she meant it.

“So are you.” Madison stepped into her space, making her breath catch. “You’re Bonnie fucking Bloom. All these people are here to see you. If you perform half as good as you do in rehearsals, they’re gonna be blown away.”

Guilt nibbled at her. “I should be the one giving you the pep talk.”

“I don’t know. Any more praise from you might make my big head explode.”

Bonnie laughed, and Madison grinned. For a few moments, no one said anything. Then Madison’s eyes dipped, dragging over Bonnie’s body so openly, she flushed with unexpected heat. Time stretched and slowed, the air thickening. Madison’s scent filled her senses as she leaned closer, smoky, warm, drawing her deeper. The noise from the crowd fell away, leaving Bonnie’s thumping heart, hard and relentless against her ribcage.

Madison’s lips curved, and Bonnie’s stomach ached, wanting to taste them on hers.

Shit. What am I doing?

Cheering fans broke through the barrier. She stepped back, breaking the spell. Her pulse pounded with a furious rhythm.

“You need to go. Now.” Leaving no room for discussion, Bonnie opened the door.

But Madison stood still, feet firmly planted in the dressing room, all too casual for everything that had just occurred there. She raised an eyebrow.

“I promise I’m fine. Thank you,” Bonnie forced out, her breathing shaky. “Let’s try not to piss everyone off on the first night.”

“Alright.” Madison slipped past her. “You scrub up well, by the way,” she commented over her shoulder.

Heat tingled up her neck, but she pushed it down, hurrying down the corridor after Madison. As they approached the side stage, a rush of people swarmed her. The crowd noise rose louder in anticipation.

Frank ran over, his bass slung over his shoulder. “Where the hell have you been?”

Bonnie stiffened, but Madison waved her hand. “I needed a pre-show wee.”

He frowned. “We’re late.”

A tech busied themself fitting Madison’s earpiece. She shrugged. “Only fashionably so.”

Frank’s attention flicked to Bonnie, questions written over his features. Kam appeared next to him with a smile, apparently unbothered by the disturbance, as the final checks were made on their equipment.

“Good luck,” Bonnie said, smiling through the nerves in her belly. “You got this.”

“Hell yeah!” Madison slapped Frank on the back. “This is what we’ve been waiting for. Turn that frown upside down, man. Come on!”

Madison had far too many personas, switching between them with ridiculous ease. As if what just happened in the dressing room hadn’t affected her at all. While the crew fussed around the band, Bonnie took a step back. Kelsie chattered away into her headset. Then the lights darkened.