Page 15 of Before Eve

“I served them sandwiches at that VIP thing in Nashville.”

West says, “Also, Blue Eyes and I went for a run this morning.”

Ford lifts his brows as if to sayBlue Eyes?

“Will there be anything else?” I ask, trying to get the focus off of me.

“Don’t be so serious.” West gives me a playful punch in the shoulder, and I catch myself in a flinch that has him taking a quick step back. “Sorry.”

“My bad.” I’m sure no girl has ever actually flinched from his touch before.

I make a beeline back to the soundboard where I resume my work, and though I don’t want them to, my thoughts drift. Brynn’s email curls through my brain again, and I automatically survey the venue for anything odd.

Soundcheck continues, and I purposefully focus on Ford’s area to get my mind in the here and now. He slides channel bars and adjusts controls.

Bus Stoptransitions into one of my favorite songs that they perform, and I mouth the words. They’ve got this poprock/country rock/alternative sound that is so unique to all of their songs.

“Great ting on that one,” Ford says. “Little lower on the bass…left side’s off…nowthat’ssome great range.”

The song ends. Ford slides all the channels down before turning to look at me. “Do you realize you stared at me the entire time they were practicing?”

I cringe. “Sorry. It’s just…”

“Just?”

“Everything you’re doing. It’s fascinating.”

“Oh, yeah? What exactly appeals to you?”

I take a second, wanting to answer this right. “Well, first it’s the music. Nothing can help me disappear like music. But then it’s also taking all this raw material and creating something new with it that I love and hope others will as well. I scrunch up my nose, hoping he doesn’t think the disappearing comment is odd. “Does any of that make sense?”

“Yes, Eve. It all makes perfect sense. How about college? Any plans on officially studying it?”

“What do you mean?”

“Sound Engineering. There are a lot of great programs I can recommend.”

College? I’ve never even thought about college. Heck, I haven’t even graduated high school. “I don’t think so. But I’d love to learn from you. If…if that’s okay.”

“Not making any promises here, but why don’t we just say, any time you’re done with your work, you can come and learn a few things. Sound good?”

A burst of excitement dances through me. “Really?”

“Now don’t get too excited. Just how to open a mike, balance the bass, EQ a song.”

I nod. I can’t think of anything better.

The sound of a giggle has me looking back toward the stageto see a gorgeous,glamorousgirl standing like an inch from West. He’s flirting right back, having no problem with her nearness. I recognize her. She was at the club that first night I met West.

Ford picks up the house mike again. “Okay, guys. Last set, and then we’re done.”

The girl slowly steps away, shooting West a little fingery wave. He waves right back before slipping his guitar strap on and turning toward me and Ford. Quickly, I pick up a cable and overly concentrate on it as I wrap it with tape, and the more I concentrate the more I relax with relief. This is good actually. What I just saw. There’s nothing special about the flirting he does with me. He’s just doing what he does to every girl.

Yes, there’s nothing special about me.

Friends. That’s what I’ll insist on with West. He probably doesn’t know how to be friends with a girl. For that matter, I don’t know how to be friends with a boy. This will be new for both of us. Plus, other than Anne and Brynn, I don’t have any friends. I could use another.

With the new resolve, though, I can’t help but wonder what it will be like to someday have someone who makes me lightheaded and happy. Someone who makes me feel loved.