I hoped he was freezing.
Before I could respond, Mark shifted closer. He leaned in, voice low. “You okay?”
I kept my eyes on Theo, anger coiling tight, but managed a stiff nod.
Mark straightened, turning his attention fully to Theo. His tone was calm, polite, but firm.
“Sorry,” he said. “And you are?”
Theo’s smile sharpened. “Theo.”
Just that. Like it was enough.
Mark waited a beat, then tilted his head. “Right. Is that your full name, or is it a stage name?”
I choked back a laugh before I could stop myself, turning it into a cough.
Theo shot Mark an irritated look, rolled his eyes, and decided to pretend he didn’t exist. His attention snapped back to me.
“You should’ve sung lead,” he said. “Why didn’t you?”
“I don’t do that anymore,” I said, eyes narrowing slightly.
“A pity.” He finally looked at Mark. “Zack has a great voice, you know. Incredible breath control. He does this thing with his throat when he holds a note?—”
“Who are you again?” Mark cut in, this time without bothering to soften it.
Theo’s jaw tightened, but before he could respond, the speakers crackled overhead with a garbled announcement calling the next act forward. He checked his watch and sighed.
“Guess that’s us.” Theo looked back at me, eyes lingering. “Wait for me after. We should catch up.”
I scoffed as he walked away, the leather jacket disappearing into the cluster of performers near the stage.
The tight, suffocating pressure in my chest eased the moment he was gone, and I frowned, unsettled by how sudden the relief felt.
I turned back to find Mark watching me. His irritation softened into something more careful, more concerned, and I realized it was because my eyes were still locked on Theo as he set up.
“Zack?” he asked quietly.
I forced a smile and looked away. “We used to be in a band together.”
It wasn’t a lie. It just wasn’t the whole truth.
The tension didn’t fully loosen until Mark shifted closer, his presence steady at my side in a way that felt instinctive.
Before Mark could ask anything else, I spotted Cathy scanning the backstage area. I waved, hoping she was looking for us.
“There you are!” she said, practically bouncing. “Great job out there. Nothing’s confirmed yet, obviously, but you’re pretty much a shoo-in for the New Year’s Eve stage. You guys sounded really solid together.”
“That’s—” I laughed, my voice pitching just a little too high. “That’s great. Seriously.”
I gently steered her toward a nearby bench, already firing off questions on everything I could think of: notes from the judges, tweaks we might need, any feedback she’d heard so far. Anything to keep talking.
Mark followed and sat beside me. I bumped his shoulder lightly with my fist, a quiet, celebratory gesture.
He smiled back and nodded, but the concern didn’t quite leave his eyes.
I pretended not to notice.
