Page 4 of Before Eve

“Don’t worry. I enjoyed every minute of it.” He jokingly waggles his brows.

My entire face burns, and I thank God the club is dark and he can’t see. This guy might be flirting with me. No one’s ever flirted with me before. I’m not sure what to do or say next, andI’m torn between wanting the comfort of walking away and also wanting the awkwardness of staying.

He holds out his hand. “My name’s West.”

West. I like that name.

“Eve,” I say as I shake his hand. It’s funny how in the past month I’ve gotten so used to my fake name that I no longer hesitate in saying it.Evejust naturally rolls off my tongue now. I like the anonymity of being her.

He cocks his head to the side. “What’s your story, Eve? What are you doing here?” He nods to the earplugs. “I take it you’re not here for the music?”

A gorgeous Asian girl comes up beside him, leaning in. “Hey, sorry it took me so long.”

West gives her a quick smile. “That’s okay.”

I take her arrival as my cue to leave.

“Wait,” West says, but I simply give him a little wave and head off.

Pushing through the exit door, I step out into a drizzly Nashville evening, and I immediately move into the shadows. I stand, letting the light September rain soothe my skin.

The exit door swings open, and I swerve around to see Anne step through.

“There you are,” she says, giving me a quick once-over. “What are you out in the rain for?”

“Needed some fresh air.”

Anne’s the only other girl roadie. She’s nineteen, and she’s a lesbian. People tend to think we’re together. It’s funny how that works. She sort of reminds me of Brynn at times, and she totally gets my quirks.

Anne stands under the roof’s overhang and lights up a cigarette. She takes a very long first drag as she always does. “Rumor is West Wolf made an appearance tonight.”

Realization dawns on me as I huddle beside her. “TheWest Wolf? As in lead singer of Bus Stop?”

Anne’s pierced brow lifts in interest. “Yeah, why?”

“Tall, dark hair, fedora.” I motion to my cheeks. “Stubble.”

Anne’s eyes gleam with humor. “I take it you saw him.”

“We met. Or rather I bumped into him. I can’t believe I didn’t recognize him. I love their music.”

“Helluva a lot better music than this shit. And…hell, Eve, even Ithink he’s hot. So, you can stop pretending you don’t.”

“I didn’t say he was hot,” I mumble, though, of course, I totally thought he was.

She flicks her ashes. “You didn’t have to. I’ve known you a month now, and this is the first time you’veevernoticed a guy.”

An uncomfortable shrug lifts one shoulder.

“Well, when you ‘bumped’ into him, did he getexcited?”

“Anne!”

She chuckles. “Dude, I would give my left boob to play onstage with him.”

I half laugh, half choke.

She sobers a bit as she takes another long drag. “Listen, he’s got quite the rep, making his way through the girls and all. I mean, he’s supposed to be a great guy and whatnot, but just be careful, you know?”