Page 10

"We have a very busy day, ladies and gentlemen," Taylor said with a smile . " Show tonight, a fan meet and greet 45 minutes prior, and before all that, Izzy booked us a coveted spot on the popular podcast Indie Rock Rocks . The interview starts in…20 minutes."

She scanned us then nodded.

"I hope you slept well last night."

I avoided Felix's gaze at all costs. Like every morning for the past couple weeks, I'd woken up in his arms . It was an unexpected arrangement. But I didn't think she, Izzy, or the band needed to know. Nah, it was best if we kept things quiet. They might get the wrong impression.

And what would that be? said the little voice inside my head.

That you like sleeping with him more than you should?

"I slept like a baby," Santino said.

"Good for you," Hayden muttered. "I can't wait to be in a hotel bed."

"Have to get through this interview first," Ryker said.

Izzy stepped up and said, "I advised them not to ask personal questions, but you know how it goes."

The guys nodded.

"Being curious is their job. If they ask something you don't want to answer, just steer the conversation in another direction."

"Or let Santino do the talking," Elliot put in.

"I am the best spokesperson," Santino quipped.

"Definitely the loudest," Hayden said.

After that, everyone started walking toward the building, and I inconspicuously dropped back.

London noticed and slowed so she could walk with me.

"Everything okay, Aurora?" she asked.

"Yeah," I said, "I was just—"

"About to make your escape?"

I threw her a guilty look, and she laughed.

"I knew it," she said.

"But did you have to call me out?" I said then shook my head, smiling back at her. " I was just going to walk around, see the city . I've never been to Chicago."

London threw me a bright smile. "Mind if I tag along?"

I opened my mouth, but she kept talking.

"I've been here before . There are so me cool places I could show you."

"Um, I really just want to see that big silver bean."

"I could show you that."

"I'm usually better on my own."

London placed her hands underneath her chin. "Please, Aurora? I could really use some girl time."

She shrugged.

"Figured we both could after being stuck on the bus with the guys."

I was about to say okay when my phone pinged with a text.

Felix: You good?

Looking up and glancing around, I caught sight of him several feet down the sidewalk standing near the entrance to a studio, leaning against the red brick wall. He was staring at London and me with his shades on . Fighting back a smile, I typed out a reply.

Me: You look like a stalker.

Felix: Shouldn't joke about that. London actually had one of those.

My eyes widened, but when I glanced at the girl next to me she was looking away, giving me the illusion of privacy.

Me: Seriously?

Felix: Seriously.

Me: That's messed up.

Felix: Yeah, it was.

Me: Well, I'm glad she's okay… Also, good luck with the interview. I'm just going to explore.

Felix: Wish I could go with you.

I read the words twice.

Me: But you're going to have so much fun answering all those questions :)

Felix: Funny.

Me: See you later, Felix.

Felix: Yes, you will. Be safe, princess.

When he lifted his chin, I threw him a wave then turned back to London. She'd obviously seen the interaction and was smiling wide.

"Does he do that a lot?" she asked.

"What?" I said.

"Check in just because."

"I guess. He put his number in my phone one day, and he just texts sometimes."

Every day, I mentally amended.

Felix and I exchanged messages, sometimes several times a day—even though we saw each other for a good bit of it.

Was that weird?

I didn't think so, but…was it?

"Hmmm," London said.

"What's that noise mean?" I asked.

"He must like you a lot."

My cheeks were red as I shrugged. " So, you want to go see that bean?"

She nodded. "Yes! Let's go , then we'll do lunch and talk more about all the things—including whatever's going on between you and Fe."

Oh joy.

#

"How do you like it?"

London was leaning forward, all of her attention focused on me and my answer.

I had only taken my first bite a second ago, and I chewed slowly to try and get the full experience. Tilting my head, I savored the flavors then nodded.

"It's good," I said.

"But?"

"But it's not really pizza."

She laughed. "What do you mean? Yeah, it is."

I scooped up another bite then lifted my fork. "Nope, pizza does not require utensils. This is more like a pie."

London nodded, holding her hand out. "Exactly. That's why they call it a pie."

"Who calls it that?" I asked, putting my hand over my mouth, so I didn't flash her my food. The classic cheese-pepperoni-sauce-and-crust combo really was delicious.

"Uh, everyone on the East coast?"

I shrugged. "Guess it fits."

"I'm glad you like it," she said with a smile . "And you liked the bean too, right?"

A nod.

It definitely did not disappoint, and we took enough pictures that I knew my family would feel like they were here too when I showed them. London nodded back then polished off her own piece.

We sat in silence for a moment.

"So, I hope this doesn't come off wrong," she said. "But…is there a reason you don't like me?"

I nearly choked on my water.

"What?" I shook my head. "I like you, London. What gave you that idea?"

She took a sip of her own drink then said, "Well, you never really talk to me, and we've been on the bus together for a while. At first, I thought it was because you're shy."

"I am," I said.

"Then I thought maybe you're an introvert who likes being alone—or at least, that you have to get comfortable with someone before you open up."

"Yes." I sent her a nod. "Absolutely, that's me . It's nothing personal, I promise. "

London frowned slightly. "But you're not that way with the guys."

"What?"

"With Felix and the band," she said. "You never met them before the tour, right? And you seem fine around them."

I thought about what she said and realized with some surprise that she was correct for the most part.

"Well, I'd met Ryker," I said. "But that was it."

"Oh?" she asked, trying to sound nonchalant. "Was it interesting?"

"You could say that. We met on a beach one night when my cousin Scarlett wanted to go skinny-dipping. It was slightly embarrassing, totally out-of-character—for her and for me—and my cousin basically lost all her clothes. But it was fun."

London's eyes were wide. " Explain, please."

I told her about Scarlett's list, how she wanted to check everything off before graduation, how she'd (incorrectly) assumed no one would be on the beach that night, her now-boyfriend and Ryker showing up, and the playful dog who stole her clothes and ran off with them.

I omitted the part where I ran after said dog, tried to wrestle back the clothes and failed miserably.

"Were you naked too?" she asked.

"No way," I said.

"And Ryker was actually nice ?"

"The whole time, and his dog Onyx is amazing. She won me over right away."

Shaking her head, London sat back in her chair. " I guess that's why you're relaxed around him."

Thoughts of that night brought a smile to my face, but something niggled in the back of my mind, a memory trying to break free, but it wouldn't fully form. I hadn't thought back on that moment in so long it felt like a hazy dream.

"Maybe," I said—then my brow furrowed.

That explained Ryker, but now that I thought about it, I'd immediately felt a similar sense of calm around Felix. He hadn't made me nervous either ; I trusted him almost right away—which was crazy considering how long it usually took me to warm up to people.

"And Felix makes sense," she said, "since he's your boyfriend."

That was just it though. He wasn't.

"Since we just had our first friend date, hopefully someday you'll feel at ease around me too."

"We shared a pie," I said. "We're good."

"Awesome," London said, and her smile was blinding.

"Do you think they're done with the podcast yet?" I asked.

"No clue."

"Oh, I thought you must be used to this, since Elliot's your brother."

"Not really. The band was his thing. Growing up, he never wanted me hanging around the guys."

"Why not?"

"Because I'm his little sister." She rolled her eyes then released a sigh that seemed to come from her soul . "And I think he knew I'd fall in love with one of them eventually."

I bit my lip. "Ryker?"

"Tragically yes."

"Does he know?"

"No, and even if he did, we would never work."

"Why not?" I asked.

"He's cold and moody with a wall of ice around his heart, and I'm… just his best friend's little sister. These things never happen in real life."

"But it could."

Shooting me a wink, playing it off like her confession was nothing, London brought out her phone and pulled up the livestream.

"Want to check up on them?" she said.

"Sure," I said, trying not to sound too excited. I'd been thinking about him—I mean, them—this whole time.

Felix's name was the first thing I heard when the podcast began to play.

"So, Felix, what are the sleeping arrangements like on the bus?"

London rolled her eyes then said, "That's Drew, one of the hosts . He's kinda sleazy, but Felix won't let it get to him."

She was right.

The next thing I heard was Felix's cool voice say, "Next question."

"Oh come on," Drew said.

"We each have our own bunk with a few to spare," Hayden put in . "What more do you want to know?"

"Okay, if you want me to come out and say it. Who's sleeping with who?"

London and I both shook our heads.

"Well," Felix said, "Alvarez is sleeping with everyone."

"Really?" a female voice said. I knew it had to be Madison, the co-host, because I'd looked up the show beforehand. "Is that true?"

"One hundred percent," Santino said.

Someone scoffed.

"You have something to add, Ryker?" she asked.

"He's definitely not sleeping with me," the drummer said.

"No one's sleeping with him"—Santino cut in—"which is why he's so cranky all the time."

"I know about a dozen girls who'd be there in a heartbeat," Madison quipped.

"Thanks, but no thanks," Ryker said.

"Already have someone back home?"

"I like being single."

London sighed.

"Which is why he'll probably stay that way forever," Santino said.

Laughter followed, but when things quieted down, the host went back to Felix again.

"Okay, so now that we know Santino is sleeping with everyone—" Drew said.

"—and Ryker is sleeping with no one—" Madison added.

"—and Elliot refuses to talk about his love life—much to our listeners' dismay—and Hayden, on the other hand, took almost the entire first half of this episode talking about how much he loves his girlfriend Magnolia—"

"I do love you, Maggie," Hayden said.

"—that just leaves one," Drew said. "And he's who everyone's been talking about since a picture of him kissing his girlfriend went viral. Madison, you want to take this?""

"You know I do," she said. "So, Felix, unlike my co-host, I don't want to know all the dirty details."

"Hey!"

"But I am curious. Ferora has basically taken the internet by storm. You r love story while on tour has captivated everyone. What do you have to say about that?"

"I think people should get off their phones and get a life," Felix said.

I laughed out loud, couldn't help it, then quieted when a couple nearby gave me an odd look. But gah, that was so unapologetically him. London thew me a grin, and we huddled closer to listen.

"Blunt as always," Madison drawled, "but I still have more questions."

Of course, she did.

"How long did you know Aurora before you started dating?"

"Not long," he said.

"I read somewhere that she's an upcoming senior. You've already graduated. Do you think that will be a problem for you two?"

"I don't see why."

"Long-distance relationships can be a challenge," Madison said.

"Hadn't really thought about it."

Me either, I thought, feeling my lips turn down.

But this wasn't real.

None of it was, so there was no reason to feel dejected.

Still, a melancholy settled over me and refused to leave.

"Okay, one last question for all the hopeless romantics out there," she said, obviously trying to end on a positive note. "I always love hearing these stories . How did you and Aurora first meet?"

I sighed in relief because I knew this was an easy one.

He could just say we met under a tree by chance and got to talking.

But Felix's answer surprised me.

"We met one night on the beach," he said.

"Oh, this sounds good," Drew said.

Madison shushed him . "Go ahead, Felix."

"I had stepped outside to get away and get some air," Felix continued. "The guys were throwing a party. But I'm not much of a people person."

"Understatement," Santino coughed.

But I was riveted to whatever would come next.

"Anyway," Felix said, "I walk outside, expecting some peace and quiet, when I see this girl trying to wrestle a shirt away from my dog. She was being really nice about it too. My dog, though , wasn't having it. Onyx won that battle, jerking away the shirt, while the girl fell forward. I got there in time to catch her, but my dog literally turned tail and ran, kicking dirt into her face."

My jaw dropped as I remembered.

"She couldn't see me, but I could see her. I didn't know her name, but I wanted to help her."

It's okay. You're okay.

"I had a bottle of water and asked her to tilt her head."

You're going to feel something wet on your face.

What? I said.

Just water to get the sand out.

Oh…okay.

Try to keep your eyes open.

I scoffed quietly. Easy for you to say. You weren't just accosted by woman's best friend.

A chuckle.

Are you laughing at me?

Yes.

Hmph.

"She was quiet at first, but as I poured the water, she cursed like a sailor," Felix said, and it sounded like he was smiling. "Wiping away the tears, she said it was a good thing she loved dogs, and she had to get back to her cousin who was naked or something, so I let her go."

I shook my head still unable to believe what I'd heard.

"Did she thank you?" Madison asked.

"Kind of. She said 'I don't know who you are, but thanks for that. Also, you smell really good. Also, it's not nice to laugh at strangers in distress.'"

"What did you say?"

Felix chuckled. "I said 'You're right. Also, you're cute when you're angry.' She ran off after that and didn't look back. But I couldn't stop thinking about her."

Madison released a long, gusty sigh. "And that, my dear listeners, is why Ferora is the best thing about the HERS tour. Sorry, guys."

Everyone laughed as the podcast wound down; they said their goodbyes and promoted their music, the tour, and mentioned the sold-out show tonight; the hosts signed off, but I was still staring blankly at nothing. My mind was a whirlwind.

Of course, I remembered that night. I'd never forgotten. But honestly, it felt like a dream, especially the person who helped me. In my memories, he had turned into this dark knight who appeared at just the right time to offer me aid, a not-totally-chivalrous yet still-impossibly-enchanting stranger I never fully got out of my head. For weeks, I tried to get past the blurriness and darkness that affected my vision and the memory of him. For weeks, I pictured what he might look like . For weeks, I dreamed about the faceless stranger who I'd all-but-convinced myself couldn't have been real. How hadn't I put two and two together? And more importantly…

Why didn't Felix tell me?

I was determined to find out the answer. My dark knight now had a face, and I wouldn't forget again .