Chapter 7
Shayla
“I got them.”
Startled, I look up from my desk to catch Leah’s massive grin.
“Got what?” I’m deep in the middle of choosing some new books to order. Torn between two of the very best romances I’ve read in a long time.
I can’t think of anything she’s been after. I don’t have a clue what she’s talking about.
“The tickets!” She waves her hand around, but all she has in it is her phone. “I got tickets to tonight’s Tailspin show! It’s been sold out for ages. Remember I was trying to get some like seven months ago, and it was impossible? They went so fast, I didn’t even have time to get sick of hitting refresh. Now, we get to see them on their last night in New York. Thank you, random Craigslist guy.”
Oh, no. I forgot all about Leah wanting to go see Tailspin. And since she didn’t score tickets back then, I never told her about my past with Jett.
I haven’t told anyone here about him. He’s part of my old life. And it’s not a piece that I ever wanted to come and follow me to New York. If I could get him out of mind permanently, I would.
Leah plants herself on the edge of my desk. “We’re going to have so much fun.”
What? “No. I can’t come.”
“Sure you can. I know you like their music just as much as I do. I see you stalking Tailspin online all the time. You check them out practically every night before you leave.”
I didn’t know she’d caught me doing that. Damn it. “Leah, I really can’t.”
“You have to come. It’s gonna be off the charts.”
I can’t come up with a good excuse. Or any excuse at all. I sure don’t want to tell her the real reason why I don’t want to go. “Okay.”
“I knew you’d be into it. It’s going to be a great night.” Leah heads back to her desk, leaving me alone with the turmoil in my mind. It shouldn’t be a big deal. She’s right. I love live music and it’ll be fun. I’m not going to hang out with Jett. Seeing him on stage from miles away won’t matter. It’s not like I haven’t seen him play a million times before.
Of course, we were together back then. It’s different now. I wish like hell I hadn’t gone up to his room after we ran into each other. I don’t know what came over me. I can’t be with him in any way now. Least of all sexually.
With a sigh, I turn back to my work. It’s just one night. Just an evening out with a friend. Nothing to even think about until it’s happening.
A few hours later and I’ve picked out my best dress. My little black form-fitting dress. It’s not something I’d usually wear to a stadium show, but I don’t care. I’m not going to see Jett, but I want to look sexy anyway.
“Shayla!” Leah catches me up in a hug as I spot her among the throngs of people milling around Madison Square Garden. “You look amazing. Great outfit.”
It’s my favorite dress. Just because it was Jett’s favorite too doesn’t matter. That’s not why I chose it. I’ve always loved it. It’s got nothing to do with him.
The first opening band is really great. But my head’s not in the moment. I’m tapping my foot from nervous energy, not the music.
All too soon, the lights go down for Tailspin. Leah’s beyond excited. “I can’t believe we’re here!”
The band takes the stage and the crowd goes crazy. The guitar intro starts without a word from any of the band members.
The song is one of their biggest hits. The first one off their latest record. The one that shot off the charts and broke everything wide open for them. Once they’re done playing it, Zac starts talking.
“New York City!” His voice booms out and the crowd goes crazy. I barely take in what he’s saying. I’m staring too hard at Jett.
Once Zac pauses, Jett steps up to his own mic. “Are you ready to get hot tonight?”
I press my fingers to my ears. The crowd’s going to be louder than the band if they keep the volume up this high.
God. Now Jett’s teasing the crowd, pulling his t-shirt up. The screams get even louder. “Let’s see how hot we can get.”
It’s so strange to see Tailspin up on stage from so far away. This place is massive, and I’ve never seen them play anywhere but small clubs before. I guess it really is true. They’ve hit the big time. There’s no going back now.
Tailspin launches into their next song. Jett is in total control. He’s bouncing around with so much energy. He loves playing live. He always has.
Our seats are pretty far back. He’s so far away that there’s no way I can make out his expression. But I know what it is. Pure bliss. There’s nowhere else he’d rather be in the world than on stage.
Staring at him from across the arena, I imagine his old smile. And I can’t help but think that that’s my Jett. The one I knew. The one who made me feel like the most important person in the world.
Sometimes I want him back more than anything.
I shake my head. I can’t think that way. We’re over.
The way Jett moves when he plays, it’s impossible to do anything but think about how I’d like to trade places with his guitar. To feel his hands on my body.
Before I know it, the last song is done. The crowd won’t stop screaming and stomping, even after the lights come up.
Leah clasps my hand. “Let’s try and get backstage.”
“What? No. Why would you want to get backstage? Beside, the headliner hasn’t even played yet.”
“I don’t care about them. I’m only here for Tailspin. Come on, Shayla. Let’s do it.”
God. She’s practically dragging me out of my seat. Oh well. There’s no chance we’ll get in, so I don’t resist too much.
Until we get up to the fence. Bailly’s wandering around, clearly visible.
She squeezes my arm. “There he is. He’s the one I want to meet the most.”
“You like him?” It’s hard to believe. Bailly’s like a brother to me. A cranky, annoying brother than you never want to be around. I can’t see him in the way that Leah clearly does.
“Yes. Bailly!”
I can’t believe it. He turns around when she calls his name. When he sees me, he actually comes over.
“Shayla. Didn’t think I’d see you here.”
“Me neither.”
Leah’s eyes are about to pop out of her head. “You know each other?”
He takes her in and he obviously likes what he sees. “Sure we do. You want to come back here, darling?”
I roll my eyes hard. Is he serious?
But Leah looks like she’s about to pass out. Or scream. Thankfully, she doesn’t do either. “We sure do.”
She’s grabbing my arm, pulling me through the gap in the fence that security opens up for us.
Fuck.