Page 3

"So, you're on the bus now?"

"Yeah," I said softly. "I'm in the bathroom."

A pause. " Why are you whispering?"

Because I don't want anyone to hear.

Because talking to myself would seem strange.

Especially to a bunch of rockstars.

"And is that…your uniform?" Freya smiled at me from my phone screen. "Only you would wear that your first day on tour."

"I didn't have time to change," I said defensively.

"You make it look good," Freya said . "Anyway, where are the guys from HERS?"

"Probably in their bunks, the kitchenette, or the little sitting room up front ." I shrugged. " It's not like I took note of everyone's location before I came in here."

"You didn't?"

Okay, so I did. But that was only because it helped calm my nerves. Knowing what to expect , being prepared beforehand, that was the key . New people, new experiences, anything unexpected usually spiked my anxiety. Part of me still couldn't believe I was here.

Freya chuckled as if she'd read my mind . "I can't believe you're actually doing it."

I tilted my head. "I can't believe you waited until the last second to tell me you weren't."

"Hey, I'm concussed!"

"Frey."

"What? It's true. " she said. But after a moment, she sighed . "Okay, so I may have delayed telling you, thus giving you less chance to back out—"

"I knew it."

"—but it all worked out. Right?"

I stayed silent.

"You're there, Ror." My cousin's voice was filled with awe. "You're about to live the dream."

"Sharing a bathroom with five guys?" I said . "Oh yeah, it's going to be awesome."

"You know what I mean."

I did.

"Also, I know you're kind of upset at me for bailing—even though there's no way I could've known I'd be hit by a rogue basketball—but…I'm so proud of you, Ror."

"Thanks, Freya," I said.

"Hey, what'd you want to tell me?"

"What?"

"Just before your phone died, you said you had something big to tell me."

"Oh, that," I murmured, feeling my cheeks heat as memories of the kiss replayed in my mind. "It 's nothing."

"Uh huh," she said. "Then what's that blush about?"

"I should go . The bus stopped right after I came in here. We're supposed to have tech rehearsal, and I still need to tune my violin ."

"Your violin is always tuned."

"Never hurts to check."

"Right. Tell me this, Ror . A re the guys on the bus really as hot as everyone says?"

I knew she was asking about the band, but my mind stalled on a pair of warm brown eyes.

"Yeah," I said, nearly sighing before I shook my head. "But that doesn't matter. This is a job."

"Mhm."

"I'm here for the music."

"Uh huh."

"I can't afford to get distracted."

"Of course not."

"And you know my history. Good-looking guys make me nervous, more nervous than usual ," I finished, realizing I'd just laid out all the reasons I should take my mom's advice and stay away from them. Especially Felix. "Romance just isn't for me."

Freya released a long sigh. "I get that. But Ror, not all guys are jerks."

I swallowed.

"Some are famous," she added with a wink.

"Bye, Frey," I said.

"Okay, bye! But kiss one for me, please!"

I hung up and could feel my face was all red.

If only she knew.

The bus was empty when I stepped out of the bathroom, and for that, I was thankful. It gave me a moment to regroup . Grabbing my violin, I took a deep breath. No more overthinking . My first kiss was amazing. It was a fact. And I'd be lying if I said I hadn't spent the majority of the ride replaying every moment , the feel of Felix's lips caressing mine, his hands gripping my waist, the sparks racing through my bloodstream as I melted against him. But for him, it was nothing. Felix hadn't even spoken to me since. While I'd been drowning in thoughts of the kiss, he seemed to forget I existed. I'd opened my laptop, pretending to be busy while surreptitiously stealing glances of him. But yeah. Felix was totally unaffected by my presence.

Which was fine, I thought.

Better actually.

If he could pretend it hadn't happened, I could too—even if it broke my heart a little . I'd focus on the task at hand.

Playing music.

Me and my violin.

I didn't want or need anything else.

Stepping off the bus, I'd almost convinced myself it was true.

"Took you long enough," he said.

I jumped, spinning around to see Felix leaning against the bus. He had one foot crossed over the other, looking like he had all the time in the world. One hand was shoved in his pocket, and as he ran the other through his hair, I couldn't lie. The guy was undeniably gorgeous.

"So, you ever going to speak to me again?"

My gaze met his then flitted away . It was self-preservation really. One second, and I already felt like I was being pulled in .

"What's there to talk about?" I said.

He tilted his head, trying to capture my eyes again. "Typically when I kiss girls, they always want to talk afterward."

I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, well, I'm good."

As he pushed off the bus, I turned and started walking. Unfortunately, his long legs ate up the distance and closed the space between us.

"You seem a little tense," he said.

I barely heard him.

When I kiss girls…

Girls plural. As if I needed the reminder that I wasn't special.

"Do you even know where you're going?"

I paused, feeling him do the same. "I don't."

"Guess you need my help then."

It was impossible to miss the amusement in his tone.

"Well?" I said. "Could you please tell me where rehearsal is so we're not late?"

After a moment, I finally looked up at him, finding his gaze already on me.

"First tell me why you're so pissed," he said.

"I'm not."

"Yeah, you are."

" No, I'm just tired," I said. "It was a long drive."

His eyebrow arched as if he could sense the lie. "So, you're not mad?"

"Why would I be?" I shook my head. "So, rehearsal?"

Felix studied me for another second then said, "This way, princess."

As we walked side by side, I got the distinct impression that he was frustrated, but for the life of me, I didn't know why.

"Thanks again, by the way," I said.

"For?" he asked.

"Waiting for me."

Felix gave a shrug. "I'm sure you would've preferred Santino , but I offered."

I glanced his way . " No. Why would you say that?"

"Saw you two earlier. Figured you might be into him. Everyone has their favorite band member."

"I don't even know Santino," I said.

"But you know me." Felix shot me an indecipherable look. "So, you're okay with the kiss and everything?"

"Yeah." I tried to keep it breezy and light. "It was wonderful—especially for my first. But it was only a kiss. Right? "

"Yeah. Right."

Again, I caught a hint of something in his tone but didn't know what to make of it.

We walked in silence for several minutes until the stage came into view. I stopped , frozen in the middle of the aisle, taking everything in . The band was already warming up . Hayden, Elliot, Ryker, and Santino looked totally at ease . Taylor stood in the wings, directing the crew. The lights were low, the seats empty, but even like this, I could imagine what it would be like later. My fingers started tapping on my thigh . So many seats. That meant people, lots of them. A crowd full of strangers. It would be warm with all those bodies, I thought. And the bright lights. The pressure…

A throat cleared, and I looked to my left to find Felix watching me. I mmediately, I forced my fingers to still.

"What?" I asked.

He shrugged. " Nothing."

But I could tell by the concern in his eyes that it wasn't. Also, he didn't move to join the rest of the band onstage. He'd obviously seen me about to spiral. For some reason, I felt the need t o release him.

"You can go if you want," I said.

"I know" was his response.

"I don't need a babysitter."

A soft sound escaped his lips. It may have been a laugh ; I wasn't sure because by the time I looked at him, Felix's face was blank. His eyes scanned me from head to toe, and I couldn't hold back a blush if I tried.

"Clearly," he said.

To give myself a break from those eyes, I glanced around the space. "Have you ever played a venue this big?"

"A few. You?"

"Once," I replied.

But that was with my cousins when we opened for HERS.

None of them were here now.

Felix nodded. " This should be easy then."

A quiet scoff.

"You were opening, right? But now, you're just back- up." His lips twitched. "Like me."

I swallowed, realizing there was some truth in what he was saying.

"We'll be background, just here to make the other guys look good."

Studying him, I shook my head. With a face like that, I bet he'd never been background in his life.

Felix's brow furrowed. "What?"

"Nothing," I echoed him from earlier. "You read y to go?"

"If you are."

We walked the rest of the way together , and when I got to the stage, I didn't pause, acting like it was nothing. Background, I thought. I could do that.

"Oh, I love this."

A woman who looked to be in her 30s approached me with a thoughtful look on her face.

"Although it may be a bit off brand," she said, studying me as if I was a new project. "I assume you're the violinist."

"Yeah," I answered, shooting Felix a small smile, "I'm just back-up."

He didn't look at me, removing a guitar out of its case a few feet away, but I thought I saw his lips twitch.

"Yes, well , I love a schoolgirl look as much as the next person, but it's a little early 2000s. Don't you think?"

I blinked.

She tossed me a bright smile. "I applaud your courage."

"Thank you?" I said.

"Mercury," she said, holding out a hand . I took it, taking note of the many silver rings on her fingers, and we shook . "Yes, it's my name. No, I'm not into horoscopes. My mother was a big Queen fan."

I nodded. "Who isn't?"

"I think we'll get along just fine. Just leave your wardrobe to me."

"I actually brought my own clothes—"

She arched a perfectly tweezed brow, and I paused.

"But yeah, I'm good with whatever."

She patted my shoulder. "Don't worry. You're in the best hands."

I watched her leave, the bright purple and pink kimono she was wearing swishing with the movement of her hips, her heels clacking against the wooden floorboards.

"She really is the best," Elliot said as he came over. "Stylist, I mean."

"I bet," I said.

"I'm Elliot."

I nodded. " Lead singer."

"Yeah well, " he said with a faint blush, "Hayden sings too. He and Santino are more frontmen anyway. I prefer to be known as the E in HERS."

He was too cute for words.

So humble.

Nothing like how I would've pictured the lead singer of a famous band.

"I'm Aurora. It's nice to meet you, E," I said.

He hit me with a grin that nearly made me stutter.

"You too, A."

That smile was like a secret weapon. I saw it then clear as day, the frontman energy. Speaking of which…

Santino sauntered over and threw his arm around Elliot. "Now that everyone's acquainted, are we playing or what?"

"I'm ready," Hayden said, strumming his guitar, sidling up to us.

I nodded, pulling out my violin and bow. "Me too."

Ryker lifted a brow as he joined us . "This a party?"

"If it is, no one invited your surly ass," Santino laughed as Ryker rolled his eyes.

Felix stepped up to my other side. "You talking about me?"

"Could've been, but no."

Hayden shook his head. "One of these days, someone's going to knock that smirk off your face, San."

"And we're all gonna laugh," Elliot added.

"Please, everyone loves me," Santino scoffed, tossing his hair back.

"Is everyone your mother?" Felix asked. "Because yeah, she says she loves me more than you."

"Very funny."

"I try."

"So?" Hayden asked. "All set?"

"We're just making sure Aurora's good to go," Felix said.

"I'm fine."

"Saw you talking to Mercury," Hayden said. "She get you s orted?"

"Yeah," I said, "but…"

I wondered if I should voice this a loud. Would they get the joke? Or would it just make it awkward? There was a 50-50 chance.

"What?" Ryker asked.

"I'm a little worried."

"About performing?" Santino shrugged . "Nothing to worry about."

"No, it's just…" Time to join the banter. "I was wondering , does she dress you guys? Because if so, I'm not sure it's going to work."

A beat of silence.

I thought I'd signed my death warrant with the guys.

Then slowly, one by one, they began to smile. Followed by laughter. My heart lightened.

"Nice," Hayden said with a smile.

"Hilarious," Elliot added.

"Surprisingly cutting." Felix sent me a nod. "I approve."

"I wouldn't want to dress like Santino either," Ryker added.

Santino scoffed, giving a spin in his long trench coat with the frilly collar and sleeves, a glimpse of his bare chest peeking out . Was he even wearing anything underneath? "Please, she was obviously talking about you, Mr. Jeans and a T-shirt. You wish you looked this good."

As they kept ribbing each other, I drew a deep breath.

Felix spoke quietly, "I think that means you're in."

"I'm relieved."

"Ready to go be background?"

I threw him a smile.

Yes. With the acceptance from the group and my violin in my hand, I was ready.

Nothing could bring me down.

Or so I thought.