Jade’s disappointment about Rebel Rebellion’s show being over was understandable. She loved the band and was sad to see them leave. But for me, the night ending meant that I was returning to my everyday life, exactly how it had always been. My golden carriage would be turned back into a pumpkin at midnight.
The tiny snippet of freedom I’d experienced tonight would disappear.
That realization scared me.
“Oh! The guys are back. Let’s say hi, and then we need to start thinking of heading home.” Jade sighed dramatically. “Work tomorrow and all that.”
I laughed. “Adulting is the absolute worst.”
She wrapped her arm around mine as we left the bar. “Remember the days we built forts in the basement as kids?”
“Yeah.”
“And all we had to worry about was beating the next boss on whatever RPG we were playing.”
“Uh-huh.”
“Those were simpler times.”
“And we had a curfew, no money, and were huge nerds.”
Jade laughed. “We’re still nerds. Just being a nerd nowadays is considered cool.”
I joined in her laughter. “Yeah, you got me there. We’re the OG nerds.”
A crowd had surrounded Rebel Rebellion’s merchandise table, and we hung back waiting for it to die down. The band kept up the best they could as the fans gushed and raved about their performance. Women asked for their signatures, and not all requests were for appropriate places
I couldn’t hide my grin when Damien’s cheeks reddened as he swiped his black Sharpie along the top of a woman’s breast who was old enough to be my grandmother.
But he was all smiles and welcomed everyone to the table.
Once the crowd had dissipated and Jade and I were among last few left, his smile slipped when he noticed me.
Was I imagining things?
Shane approached us. “So, Cadence. How did you like your first show?”
“You guys were fantastic up there. I really mean it.”
Colton threw his arm around me. “So, we converted you into a fan then?”
“Absolutely.” I smiled up at Colton. “And Damien.” I turned my head toward him. “You were incredible.”
Damien narrowed his eyes. “Thanks.”
I was about to ask him what his problem was, but Jade grabbed his bicep, and his previous smile slid into place. “I swear you guys get better every time I watch you play.”
“Aw, thank you, Jade. That means a lot.” Damien pulled her into a quick embrace.
This couldn’t be my imagination. Damien was totally giving me the cold shoulder. He showed Jade his fun, flirty side, while all I got was his side-eye andone-word answers.
I didn’t like it when people were upset with me. As a people pleaser at heart, I wanted everyone to like me, and when they didn’t, it gnawed at me, consuming my thoughts. It compelled me to try even harder to get him to like me.
I moved out of Colton’s reach to stand beside Jade and tried to engage with him again. “Hopefully, I’ll be able to make the next show.”
“It’s okay if you can’t.” Damien didn’t even look at me.
What. The. Hell.
