“I don’t know how much longer we should continue … whatever it is that we’re doing,” I say, separating our hands. “I don’t want anything to go wrong with your promotion.”
When he doesn’t respond, I realize that I’d been hoping he’d object, even though I know he shouldn’t. He doesn’t seem happy, but it’s dark in the lot, and I don’t think too hard about what he might be thinking, because the idea of going back to coworker status with him hurts.
We don’t say much as we carry in the equipment, and as soon as I see all of the customers at Rusty’s again, my stomach resumes its fluttering. “Can you watch my things? I need a quick bathroom break,” I tell Garrett once I have everything set up. There’s low level nervousness, and then there’s the kind that makes me feel like I have to pee, which is what’s going on right now.
In the restroom, a woman in a Rusty’s shirt introduces herself as Becca and says she’s excited to hear me play. Everyone is so nice here; there probably couldn’t be a better place for my first show to take place, and I try to use that thought to help me calm down.
Garrett isn’t alone when I return to the stage. Trevor and Adrian are talking to him, and as I approach, I see Duke nearby in conversation with a large group of people that includes Rusty’s owner, Barrett, and his twin. Why would he be talking to them?
“Hey, what’s going on?” I ask the three younger men.
“Oh, I don’t know,” Trevor says in a jokey tone. “We’re just here waiting to see a new rock star perform.” He rubs my arm and gives it an encouraging squeeze, and I smile at him, though I have to force the happy expression.
“What’s the matter?” He lowers his head to my level and searches my eyes.
“Just nervous. That’s all.”
He pulls me into a quick hug. “Don’t worry. You’ll do great. We heard you practicing today, and we know everyone here is going to love you.”
Adrian nods in agreement, and this time I manage a genuine smile in response.
“Thanks. I appreciate it. What’s going on with Duke?” I tilt my head in the direction of his group.
“He invited people here from Club Red, and apparently he knows Rusty’s owners. Here he comes,” Trevor says.
Duke’s eyes are focused on mine as he approaches, and a little shiver goes through me when his gaze triggers memories of what we did together last night.
“Autumn, you look lovely,” he says, his eyes roaming lower before returning to my face.
“Thanks.” He looks pretty amazing himself in snug jeans and a dark gray button-down that has a hint of a shimmer in the fabric, but I’m too nervous to focus on his appearance for long.
“I wanted to introduce you to the owners of Club Red.” Duke steps to the side to make room for the group he’s with. “This is Chase, Maddox, Dodge, and Diesel Stanton. Brothers, obviously,” he says, pointing out the men one by one. The last two are another set of identical twins, and there’s a brown-haired woman between them who positively glows. “And this is Jade, their lady love,” Duke says.
Their lady love?All four of them? Apparently, that’s the case, and wow, does Jade seem happy about it. Who could blame her? The men are all good looking, though not quite as handsome as the men I’ve been hanging out with.
Jade seems to be in a relationship with her men, and I’m just hanging out with some guys. Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to call Trevor, Adrian, Garrett, and Duke mine? The thought distracts me for a moment, and I’m a beat late in meeting the hand that Jade’s holding out to shake mine.
“Sorry,” I say, “Nerves.” And envy, apparently. My situation is a million miles from a committed relationship.
“It’s nice to meet you,” Jade says.
“You too.”
“Brittany should be coming too,” Duke says to both Jade and me.
Rusty’s owner, his brother, and Caz join the conversation, and I find out that Duke knows them from security work he did for them in the past. I can only half focus on the conversation, though, because I’m preoccupied by the fact that eight o’clock is approaching, and distracted by my new fantasies about an unrealistic relationship with four men.
Barrett Stone wishes me luck, and the crowd of bar and club owners go to take a seat, leaving me with Duke, Trevor, Garrett, Adrian, and all of my nerves.
“I hope you don’t mind that I told people at Club Red about your show,” Duke says. “They’re excited to see a performance that doesn’t include naked men dancing around for a change.” He makes a face at Trevor and Adrian, driving his point home.
“It was nice of you to spread the word,” I tell him. “You too, Garrett.”
When Trevor sees me checking my watch, he says, “We’d better let you get started. The nerves will pass. I was sweating before my first show, but once I got on stage and got into the music, everything was fine.”
“Thanks.” I give him a smile. “That’s helpful.”
“What did you do, Trevor? Picture everyone in the audience naked?” Duke chuckles at his own joke before giving me a quick hug and wishing me luck.