Page 98 of Exactly What I Needed
Shouts of agreement rippled through the classroom.
“He may show up in some of the agreed-upon pictures,” I replied, and the class groaned.
“That’s not a no, guys,” Selena piped in, and I gestured to her.
“Fair enough,” Dane grumbled.
“Just be prepared to have your minds blown with the pictures I do get,” I teased, grinning. Little did they know that I was headed backstage for the meet and greet with the band whose lead singer happened to be my boyfriend.
The pit swayed, slamming back and forth with the beat of the music. I grinned, feeling very relaxed because within maybe ten minutes or so, the man that I was dating would be on that stage, and Sydney was still none the wiser. Once the opening band finished their set, it would be time to find out what songs I would be singing. Which seemed daunting and exciting at the same time.
My voice would be recorded and shared, on purpose, but all for fun. Sydney would also hear me actually sing for the first time since we’d met, but there was a part of me that knew she wouldn’t even mention it. That she wouldn’t truly care. It seemed so odd how unconcerned I felt anymore toward her and Tera and the rest of the girls.
Cheers erupted for the rather good opener, and someone bumped my shoulder. “Want to come get some drinks with me?” Elysia shouted into my ear. She looked stunning, her hair curled nicely and pulled back into an exquisite messy bun. She wasn’t wearing her usual teacher outfit, much like me. No, she had on a low-cut tank and black leather pants, her eye makeup quite a bit darker than usual.
I loved it. Nodding once, I tapped Sydney on the shoulder. “We’re going to grab drinks really quickly,” I relayed, and she nodded.
“Be really fast, you don’t want to miss the band coming onto the stage. This is Void we are talking about, my future boyfriend!” She squealed and jumped forward, shoving between Megan and Tera.
I stared for a moment, wondering if she even remembered that she promised to record the video for me. But as she gossiped and chatted with the other girls, stealing Becca’s drink and downing the liquor, I came to the conclusion that she didn’t.
So, while I followed Elysia through the crowd and out the side entrance, I asked if she would do it for me.
She giggled, hooking my elbow as we weaved through the people toward the back of the drink line. “Of course I will do that for you. Though tomorrow, I don’t think I’ll be of much help.”
I smiled. “Thank you. I figured tomorrow’s video would probably end up being a selfie-type video, or whatever those are called.”
She lifted her brows as the line inched forward. “Or, you could have your boyfriend record something. From the stage.” She grinned as I rolled my eyes.
“Don’t say that so loudly. And that wouldn’t work. He needs to focus on what he’s doing up there, plus, I’d like to keep the anonymity going.”
“’Cause you have so much of that.” She bumped my shoulder once more.
“You know what, neither of those were my fault, and so far, only you and Selena have figured it out,” I replied, narrowing my gaze as someone shrieked loudly behind us.
Spinning around, I chuckled. “Speaking of…”
“Miss Duval! Miss Duval!” Selena squealed and pushed through the line of people behind Elysia and me. She had her hand wrapped around Caralee’s wrist, dragging her along.
“Hey, Miss Duval!” Caralee added, stumbling to keep up.
“Hi, girls.” I smiled, and they stopped in front of me.
“So, I guess it’s true.” Selena grinned, knowing something more than her friend.
“Does this mean I get to get out of recording the video now?” I teased, and Caralee fervently shook her head.
“No, absolutely—”
“Well, would you look at this,” a slimy voice interrupted, and my heart stopped as the smile fell from my face.
Danny.
He walked around the back of my two students, wearing a casual white T-shirt and jeans. Nothing too business-like or fancy, but definitely not Asher’s vibe. His hair was neatly cut, gelled and styled to perfection.
I sneered as he stopped beside me, butting between Selena and me. “Danny,” I snarled, and he chuckled.
“Is that the way to greet someone who cares about you?” He leered at me, and I rolled my eyes.
