I snorted. “Yeah, that’s it.”
Jade peeked at me from the corner of her eye, but kept her focus on the road. “Is it something else then?”
“No, it’s really nothing. A simple misunderstanding.” An exchange I honestly didn’t want to talk about and would love to forget. Talking about it kept the emotions he’d triggered at the forefront of my mind. I just wanted to let them go and enjoy tonight.
It was easy to be myself with her, and I needed that. “Now. Keep your eyes on the road and tell me about this band.”
She perked up immediately, and her chest puffed up in delight.
I had executed a perfect change of topic.
“Oh my gosh, Cay.” She gushed, and changed lanes without using her turn signal, causing the driver of the car behind us to blare their horn. “They are so amazing. The band’s name is Rebel Rebellion. All of the band members are so nice and down to earth. I can’t wait to introduce you to them. Their music just gets to me, you know?”
And I did. It was how I felt when I listened to songs that resonated with me. Like the artist wrote the melody for me and only me.
“It doesn’t hurt that the guys are easy on the eyes, either.” She grinned wickedly.
“So, do you follow them because you like their songs or because you think they’re hot?”
Jade laughed. “I mean… both. Can I say both?”
We erupted into a contagious fit of giggles, each burst of laughter peeling away layers of stiffness and I felt more and more like myself.
“Well, there’s no better way to get ready for a concert than to jam out to the songs ahead of time. Put them on!”
Jade grinned. “I thought you’d never ask.”
Despite the venue being located just across town, the trip from my house on John’s Island took us a full hour. The connectors between islands were busy on a good day, but they were a complete mess during rush hour. We didn’t mind the traffic, since it gave us plenty of time to relax and listen to music.
When we finally reached The Music Factory, we were giddy from the caffeine and in the middle of a sugar rush—a sugar rush we planned to continue with a few sugary cocktails.
We bounced on the balls of our feet as we paid our cover then went inside. The bar, lined with red cushioned bar stools, was the first thing we saw when we walked through the door. One of the male bartenders lifted his head to greet us, before shaking a drink.
This was the first time I’d stepped inside this place, and I couldn’t believe how intimate and cozy it was. I’d expected a grand hall with high ceilings and bright lights, but The Music Factory was the opposite.
I blinked rapidly, allowing my eyes to adjust. The lights were dim, except behind the bar and on stage, and there were only eight tables for guests to sit. The stage was up against the far wall, and there was plenty of room in front of it for everyone to get up and dance to the music.
I was warm, despite the air conditioning working hard to keep the heat at bay. Thankfully, I’d kept my hair up instead of styling it down and having it stick to my neck.
As we walked toward the bar, Jade grabbed my arm, her long nails digging into my skin. “There they are!”
My gaze followed hers to where four guys stood around afoldable table filled with Rebel Rebellion merch against the far wall. The other bands had tables set up too, but it was clear Jade had only one destination in mind.
“Come on. Let’s go say hi.”
She pulled me along, and her enthusiasm overflowed as we got closer.
“Hey! You made it out again,” one member said, his lips curling into a smile.
“But this time, I brought my sister. This is Cadence.”
The stranger offered his hand in a welcoming gesture. His curly, blonde hair tumbled just past his chin, framing a face set with chocolate brown eyes and a smile that radiated warmth and sincerity. He dressed simply in a graphic tee and black jeans. “I’m Hudson. Nice to meet you.”
“Hudson is the drummer,” Jade added.
“It’s nice to meet you. I’m looking forward to the show.”
“And I’m Shane, guitarist.” A man slid smoothly into place beside Hudson, gently edging him aside. He dressed entirely in black, his ensemble complementing the light brown-colored hair that cascaded to his chin. With his hair parted on the side, I could only see one of his dazzling hazel eyes until he swept the locks back. When I put my hand in his, he leaned into me and smiled. “It’s always nice to meet our fans.”
