Page 44 of Goodbye Note

“Cool. I’m past due for a bad idea.”

THIRTEEN

VARIAN

We were about to go on, and he hadn’t shown. I didn’t want to admit my disappointment, but it was hard not to feel it. It oozed from my body. I’d always worn my heart on my sleeve.

Sneakers squeaking on stairs drew my attention from my guitar. Arik jogged up the steps, his faded blue hair glowing in the fluorescent lights.

“Sorry!” he gasped, out of breath, half bent over and huffing.

“Hey.” I couldn’t help the smile that spread over my face. I had to be iridescent.

“Hey,” he said when he could speak. Arik lifted his eyes, his smile rivaling mine.

“You made it.”

He nodded, shoving his hands into his pockets. “We had to break down our set so they could get it loaded.”

My chest felt fuzzy, and I told myself to ignore it, but the feeling was too powerful. It felt like the first time I played onstage or the first time I was asked to sign a record. The way I reacted when this boy smiled at me.

“We have to go on…” But I didn’t want to leave.

“Still want me to watch from the wings?” he asked coyly.

“Do you want to?”

He nodded enthusiastically.

“I’d like that.”

My brother grabbed my shirt and dragged me toward the stage. “Come on, chemical kid.” Since he was probably saving me from making an ass of myself, I didn’t object.

I gave a half wave.

He grinned wider, then bit down on his lower lip. I closed my eyes, locking it in my memory. Why did his friendship feel like starlight?

“You’ve got it bad,” Bronx laughed, coming up behind me as we plugged in. “You look at him like Fox looks at a fresh bowl of pasta.”

I held up my middle finger right as the stage lights came up. The crowd laughed and screamed, used to this shit from us. My brother leaned into the mic, coming in with his low hum. I joined in to harmonize as I glanced at the side stage. Arik stood where he could be seen by part of the crowd, eyes locked on mine.

I shifted under the weight of his gaze. He caught me looking and returned my two-finger salute.

I shook my head, directing my attention back to the crowd. I had to remind myself not to look over every five minutes. The front row pointed at Arik, and the fire spread. He waved, and all I could do was laugh. I wasn’t shocked they knew his face already.

When we went off before the encore, I went right to him. “I have a fucked-up idea.”

“I’m not sure if I should be worried or excited. I don’t know you well enough.” There was humor in Arik’s tone. So I hadn’t scared him off.

“Do you know any of our music?”

“I know it all,” he said with conviction.

“Wait, really?” I asked. “You didn’t let on.”

“I wasn’t going to make an ass out of myself by falling all over you like a fanboy when you came to my release.” A glint shone in his eyes.

“So you let me do it? Cool, cool.” I huffed.

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