Page 89 of The Darkest Note

He nods again.

We do the bobble-head routine for a minute until Zane slams his sticks against the cymbals and, while the golden disks are ringing, he points to me.

I swallow hard. The crowd comes into focus and fear chews me alive.

“You’re up, Cadence!” Zane warns as he finishes out his solo.

Heart in my throat, I struggle to my feet, lift my triangle and slam the stick against it. The ring blasts over the air and Dutch immediately wraps a melody around the note so it feels like something new.

The freshmen go wild, trashing their heads and dancing.

I jump up and down in excitement.

I didn’t… pass out.

I did it!

I find Dutch’s eyes and give him a big smile. He dips his chin in approval. Sweat is running down his face and his hair’s a mess, but I’ve never seen him look more captivating.

He turns away and sings the chorus again. The guitar screams beneath his fingers. We’re gearing up for the end.

To my surprise, Dutch swivels around and gestures for me to come to him.

I wag a finger.

He tosses his head in a ‘come on’ gesture.

I walk to the front, my knees shaking.

Amber eyes sparkle at me and though Dutch’s not saying anything I can feel him askingyou ready for this?

I whip my head back and forth in a desperate ’no’. Not that he cares. Dutch rakes his guitar pick over the strings and Zane pounds the drums. It’s time for the big finish.

I hit the triangle in time.

Once.

Twice.

I mimic Dutch and whip my hair back and forth.

The final blow of my triangle is met with applause and screams. Dutch plays a final chord progression before letting the note ring.

It’s over. There’s a buzz running through my entire body. I can’t believe I just did that. I got on stage and played that triangle as myself.

Me.

Cadence.

No wigs. No makeup. No stage name.

I’ve always been honest with my music, but this is my first time in years being honest with who I am when I play it.

Tonight, thanks to Dutch, I broke that mold.

Without thinking it through, I close the distance between us and throw my arms around his neck just as the net breaks and balloons come raining down above us.

CHAPTERTWENTY-ONE