Page 124 of Next to Everything We Wanted

She waved a hand. “Get back to the stage before you make me change my mind.”

I kissed her one last time before going back to the stage.

For the rest of the gig, I couldn’t keep my eyes off her. The lyrics fell from my lips like second nature, but I wasn’t thinkingclearly. My thoughts were a jumbled mess thanks to Sienna and her red-lipped smile. The feeling that spread through my veins as I sang to her was cosmic, something science couldn’t explain.

It was terrifying.

And I was addicted to it.

The night went by in a flash. It felt like I’d only been performing for seconds when we finished the last song, waving goodbye to everyone.

When I went backstage with my bandmates, I sat back on the couch and asked, “How well did I do?”

Phoenix gave me a smirk. “Given that you almost swallowed the girl, I don’t think you did too bad. I can only imagine what went down backstage.”

My cheeks warmed. “You know me so well.”

Forrest wrapped his arm around me. “Honestly, I was worried you’d be singing to the walls if Sienna didn’t fall for Emma’s trap.”

“Wow.” I patted his back. “Thank you for your faith in me.”

“Hey, you didn’t do terrible.”

“Is that as big of a compliment I’ll get from you tonight?”

“It wasn’t a compliment—it’s a simple fact.”

I rolled my eyes, failing to fight a smile.

“So, are we finally done with the Saga of Sienna Drama?” Ellis asked. “I can’t take any more.”

“Me either,” Phoenix said, wiping imaginary sweat from his forehead. “This was second-hand torture.”

I laughed. “It’s the end, I promise.” A part of me still worried it wasn’t, but I had to shut that part out. I’d gotten over the hard stuff between me and Sienna. Whether or not people found out Ivan Hicks was Gavin Hanville would be a different story.

While the guys talked among themselves, I went over to Celeste. “How are you doing?”

“I’m good.” She gave me a genuine smile. “I’m glad tonight went well for you.”

“Thank you.” Guilt sunk in my chest as I thought about how hard it must’ve been for her to help me serenade another girl. She’d been supportive in helping, assuring me she wanted to do it, yet I felt bad.

Still, I wasn’t sorry for how I felt about Sienna.

Celeste sighed as if she could read my face. “Please don’t worry about me. I want you to enjoy yourself more than I want you.” She pulled me into a tight hug. “What you did tonight took a lot of balls. And guts.”

I smiled as I rubbed her back. “Thank you. Really.”

After breaking out of the hug, I approached Sienna’s booth. Hayden and Dallas were gone, but Sienna was still there with Raina, Arielle, and her cousins.

“Hello, lover boy.” Raina grinned at me. “I’m glad I don’t have to beat you up for breaking Sienna’s heart.”

I laughed, rubbing the back of my neck. “Me too. I can’t afford to perform with bruises on my face.”

“Not that it can make you less hot,” Sienna said with a sultry grin.

Arielle giggled. “Yeah, Raina can’t punch to save her life.”

Raina scoffed. “Butyoucan?”