Page 37 of Rocked: The Price of Dreams

“I like the way you think, Gem.” Hunter squeezed me tight and rubbed my arm.

I looked forward to the day when we didn’t have to play at family bistros, local parties, or fairs. Online, our fanbase grew every day. At a recent night we’d played at our family-friendly tavern in Milltown, the manager had even had to turn away guests at the door. We’d attracted too many people who wanted to see us play. That had been wicked and somewhat surreal.

Kyle and Claire pulled up beside us. Time to setup. With Claire and Derek acting as our road crew, we lugged and assembled our gear onto the temporary stage. Claire and Kyle worked with the Princeton event team to connect our sound and lighting into their system. Derek helped Hunter and me patch in our guitars, amps, and mics. If we were going to perform at more gigs of this size, we’d have to hire people to help.

The buzz jumping between us hit the stratosphere as we ran through sound check. Tonight would be another first for us. It was a bold move, a risky one, but it was the first show where the majority of our set list would consist of original songs. We’d perform our hits that had the most likes online and the ones that got the crowd dancing at shows. It blew my mind, but we now had fifty thousand followers on YouTube.

At the side of the stage, in the small event tent that had been provided as our makeshift dressing room, I changed into my new black leather pants that I’d bought at a thrift store for twenty dollars and a sparkly T-shirt. The guys changed into black jeans and button-downs.

“I’m starving.” Kyle buckled his belt. “Hunt, let’s go grab some food. Gem, you want anything?”

I stepped out from behind the modesty board, smoothing my hands over my legs. I loved the soft leather against my skin—kinda made me feel sexy. “Sure. Grab me a burger, please.” I needed carbs to burn.

“Will do.” But Kyle’s mouth fell open and his eyes fell to my pants. “Wow. You look hot in those pants.”

“Thank you.” Warmth touched my cheeks. I liked that my pants had drawn eyes, even if they were only Kyle’s. I giggled and pointed toward the door. “Now get out of here. Go get food. I need to finish getting ready.”

As I brushed my hair in front of the mirror, Claire walked into the tent carrying a shopping bag.

“Hey, Gemma. How are you doing?”

I spun on my stool to face her. “I’m okay. Nervous, but good.”

“You’ll nail it. The set list is fabulous. The three of you are amazing. Don’t let anyone else tell you otherwise.” She raised the bag. “I bought you a present.”

“Me?”

“Yes. Sorry I didn’t have time to wrap it.” She handed me the goods.

I peered inside the bag. My breath hitched. Oh, wow. A flat iron and a few makeup items filled the bag. “What’s this for?”

“You’re a beautiful young lady.” She smoothed her hand over my hair, then jutted her chin toward the entrance. “But out there, you’re a rock star. I know you don’t wear a lot of makeup, but underneath those big stage lights, your stunning features can disappear. So...only if you want to...some proper foundation, eyeliner and eye shadow will help you glow for all the right reasons during your performance.”

“Thank you.” Tears prickled my eyes. I rarely got presents so I treasured every one. “But...but makeup just sweats off and runs everywhere.” I didn’t want to seem ungrateful, but I’d learned about makeup the hard way playing at the Milltown tavern. After having eyeshadow and mascara streak my cheeks from perspiring and turning me into Alice Cooper’s love child, and lipstick wearing off in seconds, I’d given up putting any on.

“This won’t.” She shook her head. “This is professional stage makeup. It’s all waterproof. I’ve included the special makeup remover to take it off after the show.”

I pursed my lips and clutched the bag against my chest. Claire was an angel sent from heaven. “This is amazing. Thank you.”

“Think nothing of it.” She smiled and rubbed my arm.

Deep down, Claire missed performing. I hated that William wouldn’t let her return to what she loved. But if she could get some small sense of satisfaction from living vicariously through us, I was down with that.

“Would you like some help putting it on and doing your hair?”

I stood and snaked my arms around her waist, giving her a big hug. “Yeah. That would be awesome.” I squeezed her tight. “I love you.”

“I love you too. Let’s get you ready.”

Claire straightened my hair and showed me how to apply the thick creamy foundation and blend it into my neck. My hand shook so much, it took me three attempts to line my eyes with the liquid pen. But I loved brushing the silky glittery gold eyeshadow onto my eyelids and painting bright red lipstick across my lips. As I pressed my lips together and stared in the mirror, I turned my head this way and that. Holy shit! I hardly recognized myself.

The guys walked into the tent with takeaway containers of food.

They stopped a few feet inside the doorway and gaped.

“Holy crap! Gem?” Kyle’s gaze raked over me. My pulse jumped and every hair on my body stood on end. “You lookfucking amazing.”

“Damn, girl.” Hunter nodded as a wicked smile played across his lips. “The guys are gonna love you. Even I’ve got a boner.”

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