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Adriankisses me over and over untilIcan’t anymore, sniffles devolving into soft sobbing into his chest.

I’malive.

ButI’mnot fucking fine.

Chapter5

“Forgotten Faces”

–Avenged Sevenfold

Thesoundof silence behind the bar emphasizes the echo in my ears from tonight’s crowd.Theshow ended an hour and a half ago, butIcan still hear them screaming forTimelessas we announced that we officially signed to a label.

Theink has barely dried, and we’re already this much closer to reaching the dream.

Ametal door swings open, casting a shadow from the security light over dead grass. “ThoughtI’dfind you out here.”

“It’sso hot in there.”

“Yeah.”Adrianthrows an arm around my shoulders and pulls me close. “Reasonsto go shirtless.”

Ichuckle softly and lean my head onto his shoulder.Hiswarmth draws me in, making my arms slip around his waist as a pleasant shiver works through my body.It’shot thisOctober, but tonight is cool enough to be chilly since anything below seventy-two degrees is winter to a nativeSanAntonian.

Dreedoesn’t seem to mind, hugging me close before pushing a blue can covered in condensation in front of me.Itake a gulp despite knowing damn wellI’mjust going to complain and hand it back.

Fora celebratory drink shared with a cute guy, though, it hits the spot just right tonight. “Mm, okay, not bad.”

“Ha!Areyou ill?”

InudgeDreeplayfully with my shoulder asIhand him the beer.Hegrins at me brilliantly before looking away.

Hisblack hair sticks to his forehead and the nape of his neck.Iunderstand why he prefers to play without a shirt on—he pounds his set like a maniac, as if the drums are his gym and he’s giving it one hundred and ten percent every time he sits behind it.Ifit weren’t for drumming—and his mom’s and tias’ cooking—he’d probably be as rail thin asShannon.

He’sgot a shirt on now, a fresh black tee devoid of concert and post-show loading sweat that hides cords of muscle he shows off on stage.

Mygaze lingers on his mouth.

“Whatchalookin’ at?”

Iblink. “Huh?”

Dreesmirks.Hisfingers lightly drag up and down my arm.Goosebumpstrail after his touch. “So, uh…”Heclears his throat. “Um…”

Ametallicclickis followed by playful hollers and loud metal music behind us.

“Hey,”Zakcalls out. “Thinkwe’re just about ready to head out.Canyou double-check the hitch?”

“Canit wait?”

Zakshakes his head and bumps his twin aside, causingDree’sarm to drop from around me. “Nope.Let’sgit.”

Adrian’sshoulders slump as his eyes flicker between me and his twin brother.Slowly, he ambles off toward the side of the bar where hisSuburbanand the trailer wait for us to pile in and head home.

“Youin a hurry?”Iquestion before sipping water.

“Somethin’ like that.”

Icock my head. “Y’allare bein’ weird tonight.”