I glanced at the stage. A lot of people were leaving, but there was still a big group in that area. The drummer and a few other people were on stage, starting to tear down equipment.
"It's okay," I said, shaking my head. "They're busy, and it's late. Let me just text Ash before we go and tell him good job."
I took out my phone, and I tried to contain a smile when I realized I had another text from him.
Chapter 8
I slept until nine-thirty the following day, which was really sleeping in for me. Luna wasn't with me, and I had planned on skipping church since Josie was here and we had the wedding that afternoon.
The three of us, Josie, Alex, and I, went to brunch together, and it was nice to be served breakfast. We talked a lot about the concert last night, but Alex was with us all the time, and I never got to share everything with Josie. I could have spoken openly in front of Alex, but I didn't want to. I figured my sister would probably tell him what I said, but I didn't want to do it myself. I had some feelings about Ash, but I kept them inside.
We talked about other things. I had some chores around the house that I wanted to tend to, and they helped me. Alex put together the bike that I bought Luna for Christmas, and then he helped me hide it in the attic. I promised them I would get help getting it down on Christmas Eve.
The day passed quickly, and then we rode to Deer Lodge together. We arrived in time for dinner, and we ate with Henry's family, who lived on the ranch, and Amelia's family, who had come from California.
Ash was there. He and I had a brief encounter last night after the concert. We didn't get any time alone, but he touched me a little too long when I reached out to hug him, and our eyes met with a little too much sincerity. I pretended like I wasn'tconstantly wanting him the whole time I was in his presence, and that took effort. I was extremely attracted to Ash. I liked him so much. Seeing him perform last night had only made it worse. He was a heartthrob in every sense of the word, and I felt nervous around him at the wedding, making eye contact nearly impossible. I functioned on social autopilot. I smiled and spoke when necessary, but I was hyperaware of Ash, and my sister knew nothing of it.
There were so many people around that I never got a moment alone with Ash. He played guitar for the short ceremony. He used an acoustic guitar, and he played quietly the whole time, even when the pastor was speaking. It was small and lovely, and Amelia was a beautiful bride who was completely surprised. It was a fun, different type of wedding, and the whole thing made me feel nostalgic for falling in love.
That was why I agreed when Ash asked me to text him later that night. It was at the end of the wedding, and we were about to leave to head back to Billings when we had a few seconds by ourselves in Henry's parents' house.
"We didn't get to catch up tonight," he said the second we were alone.
"I know. I heard you talking to Sam. It sounds like you might have a big audition."
He shrugged and smiled. "Who knows if that'll pan out."
My sister was walking up to us again, and I knew we would soon be overheard. "I'll text you sometime and let you know about the show tickets."
"Text me tonight."
"I don't have a link yet."
"Text me anyway," he said.
And that was it.
That was all he had to say.
I was hooked.
Josie was approaching, and it was all we had time for without being overheard.
"Okay," I said simply while nodding. "I will."
"Are you ready?" my sister asked. "Judd and Sam are staying the night on the ranch," she added.
"Yeah, I'm ready when you guys are," I said, nodding.
As if on cue, Alex made his way over to us, looking like he was ready to get on the road.
"I know I told you already, but you're amazing, Ash," Josie said, hugging him. "Last night was so good. You have a lot of fans. I'm happy we were in town for that."
"Me too," he said. "Thanks for coming."
"We'll all be hanging out all day tomorrow in Billings if you're around," she said.
"Yeah, okay, I'll be getting some work done on the house, but text me your plans if you think about it."
