The guy standing next to me pulled out his phone and started recording her. I wanted to slap the stupid thing from his hand but focused on Michelleinstead.
Her voice was beautiful and made up for any inexperience on theguitar.
When she finished singing, the crowd began cheering. Those cheers became a collective gasp when she pulled the guitar over her head and, in a move more epic than any mic drop, lifted the guitar and dropped it. She raised her brows at the audience, the picture of cool indifference, before walking off thestage.
Everyone started moving then. Some people were standing on their toes trying to see where she went. Others were rushing the stage to check on her guitar. The people next to me did neither. They stood rooted to the same spot. I tried to push past the guy who had been recording Michelle’s performance, but he refused tobudge.
I started to move as soon as I found a small break in the crowd, but a hand on my shoulder stopped me. I turned around hoping it would be Michelle, only to be disappointed when I turned toseeMatt.
“What was that?” he yelled over the noise intheroom.
“I have no idea, but I have tofindher.”
“No way, man. I know it’s still early, but after that stunt, we need to goonnow.”
“Matt.” I tugged away. “Ican’t.”
“Rainier, playing on that stage is the whole reason we’re here. If you can’t commit to the band, you can’t commit to the girl. Don’t do this now.Please.”
Tap,tap,tap.
I looked around the club one last time to try to find Michelle before following Matt to thestage.
ChapterTwenty-Nine
Michelle
“He didn’t follow me,”I said to Avery, who had snuck out behind The Imperial with me. “I thought he’d fight for meafterthat.”
“Did you see the commotion you caused? Maybe hecouldn’t.”
“If he wanted to find me, he would have. It's not like I went very far.” I lifted my hands at oursurroundings.
"I'm sure there's a goodreason."
I sighed at her words. “I just expected things to go differently. You know, Rainier would storm the crowd, lift me in his arms and kiss me senseless orsomething.”
“You’ve been reading too much romance if you thought that was going tohappen.”
“You know I don’t readthatcrap.”
Avery snorted. “Don't forget I’ve been in your room. I saw the stack of books on your dresser. They might not be bodice rippers, but those books are romance." I opened my mouth to argue, but she kept going. "I think you’re waiting for your prince charming to come and sweep you off your feet, just like the restofus.”
“Too bad prince charming is moving back to Coeurd’Alenesoon.”
“Maybe he’ll changehismind.”
I shrugged but remainedsilent.
It would be awesome if Avery were right. I wanted Rainier to want me. To choose me. But this wasn't a fairy tale. There would be no grand gesture or happily ever after. It was silly to even hopeforit.
The sound of music came from inside. Avery started bouncing and looked toward the door before turning her puppy-dog eyesonme.
“Think you'd want to come inside and listen to the guyswithme?”
I shook my head. “I’m going to stay out here and enjoy thefreshair."
“Just don't disappear on me. I'm listening to Carter, but I'm notditchingyou."
