She was a lot like Evan that way. The two of them loved to have a good time; they cared more about the chase and catch. Evan probably had more relationship bones in his body than Lara though. If he found the right girl, he’d settle down his wild ways. They were practically perfect for each other in that way, but they’d formed an instant friendship. Much to Evan’s disappointment, Lara only had eyes for Killian that weekend.
As far as I knew, Lara and Killian hadn’t spoken since that weekend, although he always inquired after her at least once when he saw me. He’d already been linked to a couple of month-long relationships with beautiful women since his night with Lara, it hadn’t taken long for him to find someone else to fill her spot.
Between their looks and their talent, there was always a pretty girl nearby who wanted to keep them company, always plenty of gorgeous women to throw themselves at them every single day. The thought was a sinking reminder of the reality of loving someone like Dare; I might not be the only one.
The realization sat uneasily in the pit of my stomach. Was this why Dare had mentioned my age, and the distance? Because of all the opportunitieshehad while on the road? Was he not ready to give them up?
Was it him wanting me to experience all I could, or him wanting to experience all thathecould? Regardless of how much the thought hurt if it was true…I didn’t have a reason to be upset about it. We’d established what we were and what we couldn’t be.
Dare might want me, but wanting someone didn’t change the circumstances over whether you could—or should—have them.
“You’re looking a little pale, is everything okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine. Just…tired. It was a long night with…everything that happened.”
“I bet.” Lara sent me a sympathetic look before returning her focus to the road. She thought I was referring to Jason cheating on me, but I’d been thinking of Dare…of the time we’d spent alone, and how badly I wanted a repeat.
CHAPTEREIGHT
Dare
We were rollingthrough the countryside after our first stop of the tour in Toronto. We’d played a hell of a show, and the fans response to our set had been nothing short of incredible. The reviews were already pouring in, promising this tour was one that shouldn’t be missed.
The energy in the tour bus was high. Everyone was still thrumming over the review Tai had read to us from her iPad over breakfast. It’d been dubbed our best opener yet.
I texted Connor, riding the high of that jubilant feeling, then realized I probably shouldn’t have done that. But when she replied with earnest excitement and a shit ton of emoticons, it was hard to regret my decision.
But then I’d looked up and happened to catch a glimpse of Calum’s somber expression as he stared out the window at the rolling fields as they passed.
He’d been just as excited about the review and the show as the rest of us, but sometimes in the quiet moments, when everyone else had slipped into another conversation or distraction—Cal went somewhere in his head. Probably back to his memories, back to her.
A wave of guilt hit me, and I wondered again how I was supposed to carry this secret.
“What’s eating you?” Evan demanded, plunking down on the sofa beside me, shoving his hand into the bag of chips he had with him.
“Nothing, just working on some lyrics.”
“Sick, can I see?” He leaned forward, trying to read the lines I’d scribbled in my notebook.
“Not yet,” I replied, flipping it shut with a snap. I didn’t like to show my work before I felt it was ready, even to my best friends. They usually saw the versions I was most happy with, and even then, we usually tweaked stuff. It was a part of the process.
And this song? I was especially guarded about, given its inspiration.
“Touchy,” Evan pouted, fake wounded that I wouldn’t let him look. He was used to my process though and wasn’t really offended, just bored. We still had another four hours of traveling before we made it to the hotel, but then we’d finally get a few nights break from the tour bus before the next show. “So you know that hot brunette from the show? She’s been blowing up my Instagram.”
“Probably should pay attention to those warning signs that broad was throwing off all night,” Calum remarked from across the room.
“Nah, I think I’ll ignore them for a while longer. You should see the shit she’s texted me with.”
“You sure she’s even legal?” I asked. That question made Evan take pause.
“Well, she looked old enough. She was at a venue eighteen and up.”
“Fake IDs.” Calum smirked, secretly getting a little enjoyment out of riling Evan up. “You remember how easy it was to get those, right?”
Evan was beginning to look a little green.
“If you’re really worried about it, have Tai look into her.” I shrugged, going back to my notebook.
