“Sure, I’ll be standing off to the side like a groupie, but just don’t expect me to throw my panties up on stage,” I teased.
“Well nuts, that’s the only reason I invited you along,” he joked, tugging lightly on a lock of hair before loping off toward the stage.
I watched him pull his drumsticks out of his back pocket before settling down on the small black padded stool behind the drums that dominated the stage. He looked my way and grinned before focusing on adjusting the cymbals and drums to better suit his purposes.
Surprisingly, the size of the crowd grew and their excitement along with it. I could feel it pulsating around me as I stepped back against the far wall so that the more eager groupies could swamp the area in front of the stage. Leaning back against the wall, I studied the crowd and found that most of them were students I had shared classes with over the years. They were joking around and talking, animated in their actions and obviously excited to be together. I couldn’t help comparing them with my smaller group I used to hang out with. Though we had spent a lot of time together, we never seemed to share the closeness that this group shared in their common love of the group on the stage.
Someone by the door turned off the overhead lights so that the only light sources were the large halogen lamps on either side of the stage. The lighting illuminated the band members, making them the focal point. Drake stepped up to the microphone with an electric guitar in hand.
“All right, guys, we’re Forever Changed, and we all thank you for coming out for another Thursday jam session. We appreciate your donations at the door and hope you enjoy the show,” he said, flashing a smile that gathered more than a few squeals from the crowd.
“I’ll enjoy it more if you take your shirt off,” a girl from my Algebra II class yelled.
Loud cheering followed her request. “Take your shirt off, take your shirt off,” the girls in the crowd chanted, making Drake laugh.
“Well, darling, you know I’m not that easy. You’re going to have to show your appreciation for the music before you get treated to a show,” he said, grinning wolfishly.
His comment raised several catcalls as the girls in the crowd made a show of fanning themselves.
I couldn’t help the grin that slid across my face. They looked like naturals up there.
I moved my eyes to Maddon and saw that he was looking directly at me as the group launched into their first song. I wasn’t sure what to expect when he had asked me to come hear him play, maybe a couple guys screwing around, playing songs that dominated the airwaves on most pop stations. Their music had more of a rock edge than I normally listened to, but something about it drew me in. Drake’s voice poured out through the microphone like warm honey, seducing every female in the vicinity.
Though I joined in with the crowd to whoop it up for Drake, it was Maddon behind the drums that had me enthralled as he pounded out the beat of the music effortlessly. Every so often during the chorus of the song, he would croon out the lyrics in the sexiest voice I had ever heard. Even with sweat beading up on his forehead, I had to admit, he looked hot up there. I had spent my life surrounded by sweaty individuals with my active involvement in sports, but it never looked this good on anyone.
I fought the urge to move closer to the stage so I could see him more clearly without the crowd obstructing my view. I just felt more comfortable back in the shadows.
After four songs, they took a break and Maddon hopped off the stage and headed toward me.
“So, what did you think?” he asked, taking a swig of water with sweat glistening on his forehead.
I reached up to wipe his head, but stopped myself at the last moment. His eyes darkened as he saw my attempt. He reached down and grabbed my hand. Without saying a word, he moved it up to his hair that I had been dying to touch. I ran my fingers through the damp locks, focusing on his eyes as he shifted his body, bringing us as close as possible without actually touching. I flicked my tongue out and nervously licked my lips a moment before he dropped his lips on mine. I sighed lightly as his warm supple lips claimed ownership. The air around us seemed to sizzle with desire, and he kissed me like I was a delicacy that he wanted to savor. His gentle touch was my undoing as I tightened my hold on his head, dragging him closer to me, wanting more.
He pulled back after a moment. I opened my eyes to find him studying me intently. Self-consciously, I loosened my hold on the back of his head.
“Don’t,” he said a bit raggedly.
“Don’t what?” I asked confused.
“Don’t let go of me,” he said, dropping his lips back onto mine.
The second kiss was as different as night and day as he devoured my mouth, taking everything I had to offer. I pulled him closer, wanting more, but not sure how to express it.
After a moment, he pulled back as a magnified voice broke through my kiss-induced daze.
“We'll begin the next set as soon as Maddon can untangle himself from the hot blonde in the back,” Drake teased.
“I have to get back to work,” he said, looking at me like it was the last thing he wanted to do.
“I’ll be waiting here,” I said, sagging against the wall for support since my limbs had decided to turn to Jell-O.
“That’s what I’m counting on, sweets,” he said, dropping one last quick kiss on my lips before heading back up to the stage.
The absence of his warmth left me missing something I never knew I wanted. I had always thought the loss of passion between Colton and me was my fault, like I was frigid or something, but the heat I felt for Maddon erased all those doubts.
The band's second set was better than the first, and finally, the band members gave the girls in the crowd what they wanted, stripping off their shirts during a high intensity song. I felt my jaw drop as I got a look at Maddon’s tanned glistening chest under the bright lights of the stage. Unlike the beefy bodies of the football players I was used to hanging out with, Maddon’s lean muscle and defined abs rivaled any Hollywood heartthrob.
“You’re nothing special,” a voice said beside me, breaking into my gawking session.