“I wouldn’t say I’m a fan since I haven’t heard you play yet.”
Shane smirked. “It’s only a matter of time.”
“Causing trouble already, Shane?” A tall figure emerged behind him. He sported a white baseball cap worn backward, allowing wisps of brown hair to escape and hang over his deep brown eyes. His lip piercing, the hint of stubble on his face, and the mischievous curve of his smile pulled me in.
“I never cause trouble.” Shane crossed his arms.
“I bet your mom would saydifferently,” Hudson said.
Shane grunted in response.
“Colton, this is my sister, Cadence,” Jade interjected. “Cadence, Colton.”
Colton squeezed my hand tighter than a customary handshake, and I tilted my head. “And what part do you play in this band?”
“Bass guitar.”
“I see.”
“And that over there…” Colton directed my attention to a form along the wall. “Is our other guitarist, Jeremiah.” He was dressed in all black, stationed near the venue’s door with a phone held to his ear. The only visible details from this distance were his dark polished nails and the sleek black color of his hair, all combining to add an air of mystery and charm to his presence.
I turned to Jade. “Didn’t you say there were five of them?”
“Our lead vocalist is still on the bus, probably fixing his hair.” Colton chuckled.
“Why am I not surprised?” Jade wrapped her arm around mine. “We’re going to get ourselves a drink. We’ll come back to chat later.”
“I’m glad you made it to another show, Jade. And it was nice to meet you, Cadence,” Colton said.
“Same to you,” I said over my shoulder as Jade pulled me away.
“So, what do you think so far?” Jade asked as soon as we were out of earshot.
“Honestly, I’m surprised we could meet them like that. I just assumed there would be a swarm of screaming fans. I’m not sure why, but I didn’t think they’d be so…”
“Normal?”
“Yeah. Exactly.”
“What can I get you ladies?” the bartender asked as we walked up to the bar.
“I’ll have a Sex on the Beach.” Jade grinned at me.
Of course she would. It was her signature cocktail.
“Malibu and pineapple for me, please.” I loved how they brought my mind to a beach somewhere in the Caribbean. “So, exactly how many times have you seen them play? They seem to know you pretty well.”
Jade shrugged. “Maybe four or five? But I’ve talked to them at every show. I’m just surprised they remember my name. They meet countless people.”
“Well, you are quite unforgettable.”
Jade tended to overlook the fact that she was gorgeous. Even though Jade and I weren’t biological sisters, we still looked the part. Her hair was long like mine and the same shade of dark brown. We were both petite and considered short. The only significant difference between us was the color of our eyes. Hers were a deep brown, whereas mine were the color of amber.
The bartender placed two glasses in front of us. “You ladies are all set. Thank the gentleman down at the end.”
Jade and I grabbed our drinks and turned to smile at a middle-aged man dressed in a button up and dress slacks. Jade waved to him, but the person walking in behind him immediately drew my attention.
Captivated, I watched as he walked into the bar like he owned the place. There was an undeniable confidence in his bearing, a magnetism that made it impossible for me to look away.
