Page 40 of The First Time
Ethan shoots me anotherdon't even think about it lookthen he turns to Piper. "I'll head home after this. Meet you there."
"Sure." Piper hugs Ethan goodbye then she nods to the side door.
After I wish Ethan goodbye, I follow her.
The parking lot is starting to fill with people who left after the Dangerous Noise set. As much as I enjoy most of the guys in the headlining band, I have to smile. It's flattering knowing people came to a concert just for you. Especially when you're the opener.
Piper laughs. "You look like a kid in a candy store. Should I scream, 'Kit Lockhart loves all his fans?'"
"Only if you want a stampede of horny women."
"I'm sure you're used to that." She laughs. "You okay with pho?"
"Do I have a choice?"
"Not if you want me to be happy."
"Good thing for you, I do."
We're teasing but I can feel the truth in the words. It shouldn't feel profound, something as simple as caring about another person's satisfaction, but it does.
I feel the same way I do before I step on stage— nervous and excited.
I haven't felt like that around a woman since I was a teenager.
Piperisa teenager. Nineteen but that's still firmly teenager. I remind myself that this can't happen, but that doesn't do shit to wipe away the excitement in my chest.
