“I love it,” she said wrapping her arms around his neck.“I love—”
Nick held her about the waist and locked eyes with her.All at once, he was off-balance.His stomach pitched the way it used to when he was a kid, and his parents would take him to the local amusement park.He’d always asked to go on the teacup ride, knowing it would upset his stomach, but he’d still wanted the thrill.
Would Claire join him on the ride, even though it unsettled her too?
She clapped her mouth shut before finishing.
His teacup ground to a halt, slamming him against its hard walls, dashing his hopes.
No rides today.
He might have to find a way to convince her it was worth stepping into the teacup, even though its jerky movements could be scary.
She’d been about to admit she loved something else, but she clearly wasn’t ready to say what it was.
She dropped a kiss on his mouth.“Thank you.You’ve done a wonderful thing.”Her voice was quiet, but it cracked.“Everyone at Haven will be so excited to put it to use.”
Nick was silent, hoping she’d trust in him enough to say whatever it was she had been about to say.
“Do you mind if I go get Mortimer?He really should be the first one to try it out.”
He tried to keep the disappointment out of his voice.“Go ahead.Get the Manager.I’ll wait here.”
She squealed and jumped up and down, then disappeared into the sanctuary to collect Mortimer.
Nick waited in the back yard, unmoving, more unsettled and yet more resolved than he’d ever been.
* * * *
As Nick entered the Bamboo Gigolo, one of the bars he played regularly with his brothers, he scanned the crowd.Lots of familiar faces.That was good.However, there were lots of people he hadn’t seen before.
People who might have seen Kristy’s video, and who might want to get a look at the man who’d inspired the hashtag.And, of course, most had cell phones.
No one seemed to be aiming their cameras at him or his brothers at present, but he remained on guard.
Relax.Like Claire said, you’re surrounded by friends here.You had to leave the house eventually.
At least he could hide at the back of the stage, where he sat now.Michael was their lead singer and he played guitar, so he stood front and center with Eli, their bass guitarist and backing vocalist.As drummer, Nick could hang out behind his drum kit.
He knew he had no reason to hide, but this was a big step.It was one thing to stand in front of one of theHandymencameras and recite some lines for Lacey, but it was another thing entirely to get up on a stage in real time before a crowd.
And there was definitely a crowd tonight.
Nick’s pulse sped up.A few beads of perspiration gathered on his upper lip, and it wasn’t the fault of the stage lights.
You can do this.Claire should be here soon.Do it for her.
He wasn’t sure if having Claire there would make him more nervous in the end, but he appreciated having one extra person on his side tonight.In truth, it would be three extra people.Claire had said she would bring Adele and Mia, and the three women had promised to cheer loudly.
Hopefully their cheers would drown out any haters.
“Hey.”Eli approached, bass in hand.“You all right?”
“Yeah.”
“Good.If anyone gives you grief, just shoot me a look and I’ll point them out to the bouncers.”
“I’ll be okay.Thanks, Eli.”
