Page 61 of Before the Encore

After a long silence, she finally said, “But I like her.”

Kam nodded, laying a sympathetic hand on her shoulder.

Madison cringed. She was never going to live this down. But at least Frank wasn’t here to witness it.

“Does she like you too?” Kam asked.

“I think so. Actually, no. I don’t know.”

“It sounds like you need to talk to her. Properly. Get everything out there.” Kam hesitated before adding, “You want to be on the same page. You don’t want another repeat of Meg.”

Madison looked down at her feet. “Yeah, I know.”

Kam nudged her. “Seriously, Mads, you’ve nothing to lose. You’re in a win-win situation. Get your tits in gear, and tell her you want to date her for real. In two days, you’ll either be elbows deep in love or riding the pussy train for the foreseeable. Hell, even Frank might get laid at the end of all this.”

Madison scoffed. “I doubt it.”

They laughed, the sound carried away by the impatient traffic below.

“Either way,” Kam continued, “Don’t let what’s going on with you two get in the way of this. We’re actually doing it, Mads. This is happening. I mean, look.” She opened her arms, gesturing at the London arena under her high tops. “Who’d have thought?”

“I know.” She gave a small punch to Kam’s thigh. “Thanks.”

“No worries.”

“You know, you talk a lot when you’re not high.”

Kam laughed. “I bloody need a joint after dealing with this drama.”

A plane blinked overhead, streaming white through the sky. After a few more minutes, Kam stood, dusting her hands on her thighs. “I’m gonna head in. You coming?”

Madison picked at a fray on her jean pocket. “In a bit.”

“Alright. Don’t be too long. We need to finish rehearsal before tonight.”

“I know.”

“And Mads?” Kam waited until Madison glanced up at her, blocking the sun with her forearm. “Be honest with her.”

Madison nodded, then sucked in a deep breath, holding it until the door clunked closed behind her. She plucked her iPod from her jeans, slotted her earphones into her ears, and hit play. One of her favourite metal bands blasted through the speakers. Her head bobbed, shoulders loosening. Her thumb circled the smooth metal of the iPod, and she laid back on the hard concrete, letting the warmth of the sun wash over her skin. Her mind wandered as the music shuffled through her playlist, tension slipping away.

She grinned towards the blue sky, letting her eyes close and the music relight a fire through her veins.

Sometime later, Madison jolted as a hand touched her shoulder. Her eyes snapped open, landing on a concerned, heart-shaped face leaning over her. Her heart fluttered involuntarily, skipping stupidly in her chest.

Bonnie said something, drowned out by the music in her ears. Madison pulled out her earphone, looking up at her. Even upside down, she had the nerve to be beautiful.

“I didn’t mean to scare you.” Bonnie’s gaze fell over her. “I was worried. Are you okay?”

Madison sat up, using her hand to shade her eyes from the bright sun. “Yeah, I’m okay.”

“Kam said I’d find you here. I hope that’s alright.”

Madison’s mouth ticked at her best friend’s not-so-subtle wingwomaning. “Sure.” She just hoped she hadn’t mentioned anything else. She tucked her earphones and iPod into her pocket, aware of Bonnie tracking every movement. Her scent swirled around her. Honey sweet, probably remnants from the pre-show tea she routinely drank.

The air thickened with everything unsaid between them. The blaze of sunshine suddenly grew too hot and intense. Madison didn’t know where to start.

“I heard about M&M World,” Bonnie said.