Page 95 of Resonance
Owen:What’s a song you never get tired of?
Dan:Easy. The Association’s “Never My Love.”
Owen:Wow, that was quick. Really?
Dan:Mm-hmm. My parents used to sing it. Always thought it was one of the sweetest damn songs ever written. Gets me every time. What’s yours?
Owen:Um. Well, I was gonna say “Under Pressure.” By Queen?
Dan:That’s a great one, too.
Owen:“Never My Love,” though.Really? Huh.
Dan:Having a moment?
Owen:Yeah, I think I kind of am.
Dan:Need to hold my hand while you work through it?
Owen:[laughing] Nope, it’s definitely over now.
Chapter 33
“Sure you don’t want to sit in the box with us?” Les thumbed toward the amphitheater’s VIP seating. “Great view? Full service?” He grinned invitingly, but I shook my head.
“I’m good here, thanks.” There was no way I was moving. I’d never been backstage at a for-real live concert in a venue as big as this one before, much less one that was sold-out.
Everything was moving: the audience beyond the stage left wing where I stood, the techs and assistants and various other industry folk milling around or striding with purpose. The lights. Even the sky above seemed like it was churning. A cool breeze came in off the river, stirring the tall banners on either side of the stage. I was completely mesmerized.
“Catch up with you after?”
“Sure thing.” My attention had already moved back to the crowd. Nearby, Dan, Ryder, and one of their techs huddled together going over some last-minute detail.
I watched over the tops of heads where a camera swung in low just as the stage was plunged into darkness. The audience erupted in a roar. At first I could pick out catcalls, sharp whistles, shouts and claps, and then it all melded together in a wave of sound that danced like static over my skin. No wonder some people got addicted to live performances.
I jumped as my hand was squeezed, and then wrapped my arms around Dan as he came closer. With the final show happening tonight, we’d had minimal time together since they’d pulled back in town this afternoon, but I knew after it ended, he was mine for the rest of the night. And hopefully much, much longer.Exactly as you are.The memory of his words that day made my heart race every time I thought of them.
Happiness fluttered through my chest as Dan kissed just below my earlobe and spoke along the curve. “You know I wore these damn jeans just for your benefit, don’t you, because I swear to god they keep getting tighter. I’m craving a pair of sweatpants like you wouldn’t believe.”
“Why restrict yourself? How about nothing at all?” I teased, and he flashed me a rakish smile as I tucked my hands in his back pockets and tugged him closer.
My left hand slid across something smooth. I pulled the paper from his pocket and unfolded it, recognizing my own handwriting as he reared back with a stern look and a shrug. “I liked it.”
“You keep too much shit,” I accused, but stuffed the note back into his pocket, cheeks aching as I tried to hold back a sappy smile and failed.
“Only the things that matter, now.” He plucked at my lapel. “Nice jacket by the way. Hope I can still see my way to the stage.”
With a quick kiss to the corner of my mouth, Dan was gone just as a guy standing next to some scaffolding cued him.
As they had before, Dan and Ryder met at the center from opposite sides of the stage. The lights flared to life in vibrant blues and greens. They greeted the rambunctious audience, and Dan cast a look over his shoulder, cutting me a wink that rushed through me like wildfire.
The week and a half after he’d left had felt endless at points and like a blur at others. Dan had talked with the police again and they’d begun monitoring a slew of online auction sites. Sure enough, a few days later, Jessup’s new album popped up. After being called in for questioning, Ivy admitted to aiding and abetting Zane, though not to being present at the time of the robbery. They’d both been arrested and were awaiting arraignment. Dan’s lawyer said he expected them to plead guilty. Dan wanted them punished to the full extent of the law. Not, he told me, for the burglary, but because of what had happened to me.
I was just glad it hadn’t been Aiden after all.
* * *
I didn’t thinkI’d ever shaken so many hands in my life as I did in the greenroom after the concert. It was kind of endearing; anytime someone approached Dan, he greeted them, then immediately introduced them to me if I was nearby. I’d wandered off a couple of times to take advantage of the craft services table or to talk with Ru, Evan, or Les, who were also present. Ryder said hello and expressed sympathy for the break-in, but I felt awkward around him, knowing what I did about him and Dan, and extricated myself as soon as I could. I felt his gaze on us, though, caught him studying the two of us at one point as Dan dropped his arm around my shoulders. I wasn’t sure if I was imagining the wistful expression on Ryder’s face or not.