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The surprise pulled a choked laugh from her. “What?” Then she was shaking her head, casually at first, but then with studied firmness. “No, Ethan.”
“Why?” he asked her gently. “You’re so good. We could just do one quick song. Your choice.”
“No,” her voice was loud, stern. She fought down the anger and the panic, forced it under control. “No,” she repeated, her voice softer this time.
“You can do it, Kate,” Tom said, his tone deliberately neutral. “It’s nothing here. Just the usual crowd.”
She looked over at him, her eyes hardening. “You don’t even get it. I can’t and won’t. Simple as that.”
Tom started nodding slowly. “Okay.”
Ethan said nothing. He laid a hand on her shoulder and squeezed it gently. He looked over at Zig. “Hey, sorry I can’t stop to talk, but I promise, after the gig, we’ll have a chat and do proper introductions.
“Sure, man,” said Zig. “Whatever.”
Ethan left, and silence hung over the rest of the group. Kate picked up her beer, took a gulp, and then excused herself to go to the ladies’ room.
The concert resumed shortly after her return. It took her a little while, but eventually, she was able to lose herself in the music and the tightness that had gripped her chest loosened.
The performance wound to a close, Ethan playing one encore and after, with the applause deafening around him. After the last encore, he gave a little wave and thanked the crowd. He tried to step down from the stage, but the growing number of people gathering there prevented him, all of them eager to speak with him and a few even brandishing pen and paper. At least no bared breasts and sharpie pens, Kate thought wryly. He was definitely getting a following, some of whom could even be labeled “groupies.” But as he spoke to each person and signed offered pieces of paper, his eyes constantly looked up to find hers. They were rueful and apologetic, and she almost laughed.
A moment later she got up, and tugging Tom with her, made her way over to the stage. “We’ll be roadies,” she said.
Together she and Tom began to pack up the equipment and put away his guitar. Kate marveled at how compact Ethan had made everything, though even with this level of compactness it would have been impossible to manage it all on the back of the motorcycle.
Ethan came up to them, having finished with the gathered fans. “Thanks, you two. I appreciate it. For some reason in the last few weeks, I’ve had people wanting to talk to me.”
Kate looked up and raised her brows, smiling. “You mean your groupies?”
He grimaced and shook his head. “Never groupies. Ugh. Just people who like the music.” He pointed to the equipment. “Just leave it there. Pete will get someone to put it away. He stores it here for me. It’s easier.”
But of course he’d made an arrangement, thought Kate. He would ensure that he could make it all work.
“Great concert,” Tom said. He gave Ethan a fist bump. “I think even Zig’s girlfriend liked it in the end.”
Ethan laughed. “Like that, is it?” He looked over at Zig and Tracy who were deep in conversation. “I suppose I should go and meet her.” He glanced at Kate. “Come with me?” He gave a mock puppy dog face.
She laughed. “As if you need me there. I’m sure you’ll have her eating out of your hand in no time.”
He snorted and shook his head. “Not my intent. Not at all. It would just be nice to have you there. You’ve met her. You’re a woman.”
Kate laughed. “Yes. To both.”
Ethan shrugged. “You know what I mean. It’s Zig. He hasn’t had a girlfriend in a while and, well, I want him to enjoy it.”
There was so much unspoken there, so much that pulled at Kate.
“Of course,” she said.
Tom grinned at Ethan. “I’ll wait here and look after your guitar.”
“You two want to come over to my place later?” asked Ethan. He looked at Kate. “I’ve been working on ‘The House of Clouds’ and I’d like your input. If it’s not too late. Or we could do it another time.”
“Can’t, man,” said Tom. “Early start tomorrow. But you go ahead, Kate.”
Ethan looked at her hopefully, and that hope filled her with a pleasure that momentarily unbalanced her. She shrugged, nonplussed. “Sure.”
She followed him over to Zig and Tracy, who were still deep in conversation with each other at the table. When Zig caught sight of Ethan he smiled and stood, grabbing him in a half-hug. “Great set, tonight.”
