Page 46 of The Sound of Us

Noah shook his head and sighed. “The world will lose a great musical talent. I want my legacy to include a picture of him on the wall when he becomes the next John Entwistle and people will know he got his start here.”

“He’s more of a Jaco Pastorius.” I lowered my voice and tried to mock his famous line about being the greatest bass player in the world.

“My voice is a bit lower.” Dante was standing in the doorway, a smile spread across his face.

Noah laughed. “She’s got the ego right.”

Chad and Dante cleared off two more chairs and we went over the work Chad and I had done the past week. The strong aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, reminding me that I’d spat out my caffeine fix on the floor.

“I’ve been trying to expand our programming because we havetoo many empty slots during the day.” Noah poured his coffee and leaned back in his chair. “Chad has agreed to do two sports-related shows, but I also want to add some more spoken-word news programming…”

I didn’t know if it was the gleam in Noah’s eyes or Dante’s awkward shift in his seat that made my skin prickle. “What did you have in mind?”

“I read your article this morning in theHavencrest Express. Excellent work, and very relevant for us at the station. I’d like you to do an investigative journalism show and break a story that will put us on the map.”

“Uh… do you not remember my last on-air experience?” I swallowed hard. “I was so sure you weren’t going to hire me that I was standing at my door with a packed suitcase when you called with the offer.”

“Hear me out,” Noah said, raising his hand. “It would be a great experience for you and a profile-booster for the station. I’ve already called your investigative journalism prof and he said he’ll consider giving you course credit for the show. Think about it. Did a professor receive an undisclosed grant from a pharmaceutical company to fudge his results? Did the head of a faculty get paid off to let a politician’s son into a particular program? Find me a story so high profile, the university won’t be able to take our space without a major outcry.”

I felt an unfamiliar rush of pride at Noah’s praise and his confidence in my ability. My dad had rarely had a good word to say no matter how great my achievements. I was never good enough—never fast enough, never scored enough, just never enough. But this wasn’t basketball. I didn’t have any experience. I knew I could do the research and writing, but talking live on the air…

“I’ll handle the sound board for you,” Dante said, as if he knew what I was thinking. “All you have to do is talk.”

Noah had faith in me. Dante would be on the other side of the glass. They believed in me. It was time I believed in myself.

“Okay.” I twisted my hands in my lap. “I’ll do it.”

CHAPTER NINETEEN“You Sexy Thing” by Hot ChocolateSKYE

Chad wanted to celebrate our new show assignments with a visit to the campus sports bar on Friday night. He made an announcement over the station intercom, and by the time Isla, Haley, and I arrived the bar, the WJPK team was out in force.

“Cheers to Skye’s new show.” Isla held up her drink and we all clinked glasses.

“All I can think about are all the things that could go wrong,” I said. “I’m not telling my mom about it or any of my friends back home. And you guys are not allowed to listen.”

“As if.” Isla snorted a laugh. “Haley already said I can come to the station when you’re on-air. You’re getting all the support in the world. Not just from Dante.”

I glanced over at the bar where Dante was sitting with two women and one of the metal DJs from the basketball game. As if he knew we were talking about him, Dante looked up from his conversation. His gaze dropped and then he made a slow, leisurely perusal of my body that left me feeling like I’d been stroked with soft velvet. I’d worn a pair of tight dark jeans, sparkly flats, and a silk top with spaghetti straps that was open down the back. Isla had refused to let me put my hair up in its usual ponytail and had smoothed and teased it into gentle waves that fell across my shoulders.

“Jesus,” Haley whispered. “I would die if a man looked at melike that. Why are you so afraid to talk to him about what happened in the closet?”

“What am I going to say? It was amazing, but it was just a one-time thing. A heat-of-passion moment. I don’t need to hear him say it. And this morning was perfect. He acted like it hadn’t happened and everything was the way it was before.” Except that he’d touched my pinky and set my body on fire.

“My inner psychologist is thinking a lot of thoughts,” Haley said. “Also, I’m not sure he thinks it’s a one-time thing. He’s looking at you like he wants to lick you all over.”

“He’s probably got those two women all lined up for an evening of fun.”

“Skye. Hey.” Ethan tapped me on the arm. He was tall and as gorgeous as ever in a blue polo shirt and jeans, his blond curls tamed into submission. “I saw you come in. Can I buy you and your friends a drink?”

I glanced over at Dante, who was still chatting with the DJ and the two women, one of whom now had a hand on his arm. “Yes, but no tequila. I had a bad experience at a frat party and that part of my life is now over.”

“Frat parties or tequila?”

“Both. That’s why we didn’t join you at the party the other week.”

“I was disappointed you weren’t there.” He casually brushed my hair back over my shoulder. Haley choked on her drink. Isla frowned. She knew all about Ethan’s apology but refused to accept he had changed.

“I’m going to play pool with Nick,” Isla said abruptly. She gave Ethan a curt nod and headed across the bar.

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