What was I so worried about?
This is Bash. There’s very little recognition on his face, which means he doesn’t know who I really am.
I’m the only one making this weird.
”Hi,” I say with the most genuine smile I’ve mustered in years, but I direct it at Yasmin. “I hope he deserved it.”
I feel him watching me as we walk closer, and he takes a single step forward. I’d have missed it if I wasn’t acutely aware of every move he makes.
“Of course he did,” she says, grinning as Levi rubs his arm.
“No, I didn’t. I’m an angel.”
My heart flutters as I keep the lead singer in my peripheral. “I don’t know about angel, but you are pretty amazing... not that you need me to tell you that.”
Bash moves to the middle of the group to stand next to me, and he smells so good it’s hard to focus. Bracing myself, Iglance up to meet his eyes directly for the first time since we were kids.
“And what about me, hmm?” Bash licks his lips. “Would you call me an angel?”
Levi says something back to me, but I can’t make out a single word.
“Hmm,” I stall. “No. Angels don’t seem like much fun.”
“I agree.” He winks at me before turning his attention to the camera, then leans in to whisper into my ear, “Were you at the last few shows?”
My stomach flips violently, but it feels like validation. There were thousands of people there, and probably at least a couple hundred close enough to see. He noticed me. “Yeah. I actually bought tickets to the whole tour.” My cheeks heat up as he offers me a wide, genuine smile.
“Yeah? That’s badass. I was starting to think you were a ghost.”
I’m not just any ghost, I’myourghost.
“Why’s that?” I ask, with butterflies erupting so violently in my chest I have to clench my fists. “Do I look dead?”
His gaze sweeps my frame like he’s searching for some sort of injury before he shakes his head. “Nah. Permission to check for a pulse?”
He holds up two fingers with a mischievous glint in his eyes, but I’m being ushered from the room before he can touch. It wasn’t enough time.
I didn’t even get to tell him my name.
Fuck.
I had him right there in front of me and I froze. He even gave me the perfect opening and I blew it, but maybe it’s better this way.
Maybe this is a mistake. He’s got everything he could ever want, why would he think my intentions are pure? Even if I told him, and even if he believed me, what next? I’m an anecdote he tells at parties and apparently during some interviews, but that’s it.
“Quit spiraling,” Brooke hisses, grabbing my arm to keep me moving.
Oh, Brooke.
If only I could.
Chapter Five:
Caraphernelia
Alaina
Well, I’m done spiraling, but the spiral led me all the way to his trailer.
