Page 3 of Take My Hand

“I was all over,” I say. “Shot a lot from the pit and down by security.”

“I was going to go into the pit for a while to watch from there, but I got distracted.”

Walker smirks at her. “Distracted by me, sweetheart?”

Scar elbows him with flushed cheeks, confirming Walker’s question.

“Are you flying out tonight too?”

I nod. Arun had sent me all the travel plans and booked a ticket along with them. Although on the way out here, only Nikolai and Reid were on the same flight as me. Nikolai is Whisper Me Nothings front man and lead singer, while Reid plays guitar. Nikolai smiled at me as we boarded the plane here, making small talk, while Reid brooded.

I knew Walker and Scar would be flying in separately because they went to Pittsburgh to visit his parents. I wondered where Hayden was as boarding started to slow and ultimately stopped before we pulled back from the gate.

I knew he wasn’t really on speaking terms with Reid, having learned from Scar that the band had a lot of conflict over recent months, but I wouldn’t think that he would miss a show.

But when I got here today, Hayden was backstage with the guys, ready to go.

And as if my mind conjured him up, he strolls up beside Walker, joining our little circle. I can’t stop myself from scanning him from head to toe, my eyes catching on the way his black hair is plastered to his sweaty forehead, the same way his dark tank top clings to his chest. The tattoos on his arms are on full display. I could scan his skin over and over for hours and still find something new within the artwork he covers his body with.

As if sensing my roaming gaze, Hayden turns his attention to me in greeting, and my face flames.

“Great show today,” I say, clearing my throat.

He smiles a shy smile and runs a hand over his hair, pushing it back from his forehead. “Thank you,” he says softly, voice falling over my skin like a weighted blanket with its deep timbre.

“I didn’t see you on the flight out here.”

Why would I tell him that? Tell him that I noticed his absence when I really don’t have a reason to be noting it.

“Yeah, no, I went home to see my family. One of my brothers was bringing home his girlfriend to meet the family. And I hadn’t been back since the tour wrapped, so figured I’d go and visit. I flew in with these two.” He points a thumb at Walker and Scar.

“I hope you had a great time with them.”

“The other two still cleaning up or what?” Walker asks, glancing back at the people roaming backstage.

Hayden shrugs, tucking his hands into his pockets. “Doubt they took off without us.”

“You sure about that?” Walker asks sarcastically.

Sensing the shift in the air, Scar turns the conversation in another direction.

“Did you get a new camera bag? Love the orange.” She tilts her head toward the bag sitting at my feet.

I nod. “Needed to get one to fit my camera.”

“Did you get a new camera, too?”

Her question is innocent, her curiosity kind. But by the knowing look I share with Hayden, whose cheeks flush as he angles his head away, she clearly doesn’t know.

Which means that he didn’t tell her. And by Walker’s blank expression, he didn’t tell him either.

Did he tell any of his friends that all of my camera equipment I own is thanks to him?

3

CARTER

Three Months Ago

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