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Next to me, Noah is panting, his arms and legs pistoning as we sprint down the sidewalk. Sadie chose to walk and is probably about three blocks behind us lugging my bass because she really is the best friend in the world.
It feels so good to have Noah by my side, to be in this together. There’s still a part of me that’s terrified, but I have to do this with him. There’s no one for me but Noah Brooks.
The neon sign for Philistine’s comes into view, but it’s too far away. My legs are slowing against my will, my muscles not able to match my determination. How am I going to have the energy to play if I can’t breathe?
My lungs are too tired to continue pumping air and I’m pretty sure my heart is curled up on the sidewalk half a block back like a dog refusing to take another step.
Somehow, I make it to the door of the bar and bend over, hands on my knees, vision dark around the edges as I try to get air into my lungs.
“Come… On,” Noah says, between pants. “Have to… get in… There.”
He’s right, damn it. I straighten, hands over my head, as I pull in one deep breath. My heart hasn’t quite caught up yet and sweat is dripping down my face, but I drop my arms and push the door open.
My sisters are already on stage, Jesse behind his bass. He’s smiling wide, looking so happy to be up there. I stop, my shoulders slumping. I can’t take this away from him, and my sisters don’t really need me if he’s here.
Sloane steps up, an earthenware jug in his hand. “Tough crowd tonight.”
“Did you try to play a jug?”
His brother, Declan, walks over, spoons in hand, his expression grim.
Sloane wraps an arm around his brother’s shoulders. “You tried your best, man.”
“Who knew it would be so hard to play spoons?” Declan looks like someone just ran over his dog.
“Everyone,” I say. “It takes practice and skill to play the spoons well.”
The brothers ignore me. “It’s the crowd.” Sloane narrows his eyes and looks around at everyone near us. “They’re biased against outsiders.”
I laugh. I know my cousins. If either of them knew how to play an instrument, they’d have brought it out to show off at one of our family get-togethers. Declan can’t even clap along to a song in the correct time, there’s no way he picked up playing the spoons easily. “I can’t believe you guys actually thought—”
Noah grabs my hand and starts pulling me through the crowd.
“What are you doing?”
“What areyoudoing? Why aren’t you on the stage?” He looks back at me over his shoulder, expression concerned. “Do you have stage fright?”
I set my feet and lean back, but I’m worn out from my sprint. My lungs aren’t quite full yet and he drags me so easily to the side of the stage that he probably thinks I’m choosing to walk along beside him.
“It’s okay, Noah. Jesse looks so happy up there. I can’t take this from him.”
The emcee takes his place on stage. “Alright, music lovers, we’ve got our next band up here and ready to go. Please give a warm welcome to West Aldridge.”
“West Aldridge?” I mouth at Noah.
He shrugs.
It’s not a terrible name. I guess this means Asher is a permanent part of the band?
“Hold on,” Clover yells. “We have a quick change to make. Our sister, Daisy Weston, will play the upright bass.”
I look up at the stage to see my sisters all gesturing wildly for me to get my ass up there.
Dani is literally mouthing,Get your ass up here.
Even Jesse waves for me.
A warmth spreads from my chest through my whole body. They want me. My sisters really want me up on that stage with them.
