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He shook his head. “Cam said I should wear this. I didn’t know what would look good at a concert. I want to look like I know what I’m doing. Like I fit in.”
“I don’t think anyone will think you don’t fit in, no matter what you’re wearing.”
He simply shook his head. “I’m fine.”
The rest of the ride to the music hall was uneventful, and when we arrived at the venue, it was clearly packed. There were people of all ages, both milling around outside and funneling into the club, and the outfits were as varied as the concertgoers were.
I pointed at a gaggle of teenagers wearing jeans and t-shirts, who were standing near a group of women in dresses. “See?”
He shrugged. “I fit in great, if you ask me.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “You look ten times hotter than anyone else here.”
He grinned again and threaded his fingers through mine. “Exactly.”
As the opening band took the stage, I went to the bar and retrieved drinks for us—just rum and soda, but I hoped he would enjoy them nonetheless. Bennett took a drink from me gratefully when I returned, putting his hand on my hip and squeezing lightly as a way of saying thank you before he downed the drink in three swallows. I noticed his hands shaking just a touch and his gaze darting around the room as if he had no idea what to do with himself.
“You must’ve been thirsty.” I took his empty cup from him and gave him the second drink before tossing the empty one in a nearby trash can.
“What about you?”
I shook my head and nodded at the drink in his hand. “I’m fine.”
The opening band started playing, and I took a spot behind Bennett, bracketing his hips with my hands and swaying along with the music. He got into it quickly, bouncing along to the band and shaking his ass.
When the first band left the stage, he turned to me, breathless and pink-cheeked, and planted a kiss directly on my lips.
I furrowed my brow. “What was that for?”
“I can’t believe I’m here. I hardly ever get to do things like this. I can’t remember the last time I went out without the guys, and I definitely can’t remember the last time I did something fun other than kickball or the sports bar.”
I understood completely, in my own way. “I get it. I pretty much only work. I don’t have a lot of friends or even any pets, so my evenings and weekends are mostly more work.”
“Not anymore.”
The next band wasn’t as high energy, a folksy act that seemed out of place with the crowd, but Bennett still seemed to enjoy himself. The real excitement happened when Young Spades took the stage.
His eyes lit up as he focused his attention on the band, grinning ear to ear when they launched into their first song. Much to my surprise, he shouted the lyrics to each song as they played, singing along at the top of his lungs. He danced and bounced on his toes for several songs before settling down into a more low-key swaying to the music. Watching him enjoy himself was its own kind of magic.
When the show wrapped up, including an encore, Bennett took my hand and headed toward the door. I held him back, though, letting the crowd pass us. When he looked at me with a frown, sweaty hair sticking to his forehead, I simply nodded toward the merch table.
He shook his head. “No way. That shit’s overpriced, anyway.”
I shrugged and stood my ground. “Let’s get you something. My treat.”
He bit his lower lip, looking adorable as he considered my offer. After a few moments, he spoke. “There’s no harm in looking, I guess.”
A half hour later, we left the venue with a new t-shirt for him, one with the band’s logo emblazoned on the back. I’d grabbed ashirt from the opening band’s table, one with little glow-in-the-dark ghosts on it.
Back in the car, I waited as he buckled himself into the seat, turning to face me with wild eyes. “I’m not tired.”
With a laugh, I shook my head. “Me either.”
“What should we do?” When I shrugged, he started throwing out suggestions. “We could go back to a restaurant, or take a walk, or go back to your place…”
I held up a hand. “If I take you back to my place, you’re never leaving.”
Bennett grinned. “Is that a threat or a promise?”
