Chapter Five

A text message flashed across Devon's cell phone. “What time you heading to the festival?” It was from Breck, of course.

“Soon.” It was Sunday, the final day of performances, and the lineup looked promising.

“Good, I'm out front.”

Devon swung his front door open. Sure enough, Breck was there in the flesh, leaning against his SUV, legs crossed at his ankles, and cell phone in his hand.

Shaking his head, Devon smiled. He held up his pointer finger to indicate he'd be there in a minute. He jogged to his room and threw a T-shirt on, and then grabbed his socks and a pair of sneakers.

They arrived early, so they had plenty of time before the first band went on. Currently, there were soloists singing classical songs. The guys made small talk in low voices to be respectful to those around them who were watching and enjoying the performance.

The final soloist finished, and even though they weren't paying attention to her, they applauded.

“I'm excited about the second band. I've seen some of their stuff on the Internet, and they rock at live performances.” Breck prattled on.

Devon lost his ability to listen as a certain redhead walked out on stage with a few other women, all of whom were wearing matching pink leotards. His heart beat wildly in his chest.

“Yo, D, you hear me?”

“No.” It was all he could say; the damn woman took his breath away. Again.

“What's gotten into you?” Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Breck crane his neck around to look at his face. “What are you staring at like that?”

“Not what, but who.” Devon nodded toward the woman.

Breck was silent for a moment, and then he chuckled. “Let me guess, the brunette on the right? Oh, or center back? She's hot.”

“No.”

“No?” Breck sounded confused and deflated.

“The redhead.” He sighed in frustration.

“Red? That's so not your style, man,” he mocked.

“No, she isn't, and it's refreshing, but exactly the reason why I could never have someone like her.”

“Whoa! Wait, are you serious?”

Unable to look away from the beautiful, pale tone of her skin, Devon murmured, “Uh-huh.”

“Why do you think that? You can have anyone you damn well want; you're Devon Mann.”

He shook his head. “She's clearly not a groupie, she's a woman who deserves more than I can give.”

The dancers gathered into their starting formation and the music started. Devon focused on the redhead, watching her every move.

“Dude, how do you even know, if you haven't talked to her?”

“Look at her, man. There's no way in hell. She's gorgeous, refined, and graceful.”

The woman leaned forward on one foot and raised the other behind her and pointed her toes straight to the sky. Her arms were beautifully splayed to her sides, and her chin was up, revealing her long neck.

“And flexible.” Devon shot him a look, and Breck wiggled his eyebrows.

That earned him an elbow to the gut.

“Omph.”

Breck stopped talking and both men stood there as Devon was entranced by the dancers. At the end of their performance, the women curtsied and shuffled off out of sight.

Breck nudged him. “Go, man. They're exiting left stage. You might be able to catch her.”

Not wanting to come off as a pansy, Devon walked in that direction with no intention of speaking with her. Breck remained behind, so the guy would never know.

There was something about this woman that called to him, but he'd never act on it. Whether it was out of fear of rejection, or because Cindy was still so embedded in his heart, he couldn't tell. Regardless, he needed to see the redhead once more.

He missed the girls at the stage exit, but found the women's dressing area and waited outside the door like a stalker. Did his fans who waited for the band after shows ever have a case of nerves like this?

One by one the ladies were exiting. Tapping away at his phone to busy himself, he’d look up each time the door swung open, and finally, red hair came into view. She never looked his way, but one of the pretty brunettes that Breck had pointed out was with Red, and her eyes narrowed.

He knew that “Where have I seen you before?” expression. Her eyes went wide, and he prayed like hell she was a fan and would drag her friend over to say hello. But then again, what would he say? He couldn't ask, “Wanna fuck?” as he did many times and so casually with groupies. That's how he picked up women; there was never any dating involved so small talk wasn't needed.

The friend nodded in his direction, and the redhead glanced up at him. She didn't appear to be interested, there was no recognition in her eyes, and she seemed bored, if anything. The brunette smiled and waved at him, but Red dragged her away.

Epic fail.

He made his way back to Breck. The guy had a shit-eating grin on his face as he leaned an elbow on the barricade. “You get her number?”

“No, man. I waited for her and somehow missed her.” The lie rolled off his tongue easily.

“Too bad, I've never seen you look at a woman like that before.”

“Like what?” Breck's face screwed up as Devon waited on a response. The guy seemed to be deep in thought.

He nodded before he spoke. “Like she was something special.”

“I'm sure she's someone's special already.”

“I didn't see a ring on her finger.” Breck waved his left hand in front of Devon's face, and Devon smacked it away.

“You know as well as I do, a ring means nothing. How long were you with Diane, years? She never wore a ring, and she was special to you.”

“Point taken, but at least no ring means more of a chance with her.”

“As if I'll ever see her again.”

“You never know, it's not a big town, their group is local. Your paths might cross again one day soon.”

Breck spoke confidently, but Devon doubted there was even a chance. Another dance group took the stage. They were the last one before the afternoon break, and then the bands would take over for the rest of the evening.