Page 136 of Shy Girls Can't Date Rockstars
His playing smooths out measure by measure. His voice grows stronger with each line.
By the time they hit the chorus, he’s not just recovering; he’s commanding the stage.
The crowd feels it too, and the energy shifts. Bodies move to the rhythm, and phones are raised to capture the moment. And I capture it all through my viewfinder.
“That’s it, Sprout,”Dad’s voice guides me.“That’s the shot.”
My vision blurs with tears, but I don’t lower the camera.
Click. Click. Click.
By the final chorus, Ryder is fully present. His guitar solo is clean and powerful; his fingers flying across the fretboard with precision. The crowd is jumping and singing along to the parts they know from the Late Show appearance.
The song ends, and the crowd roars.
Ryder looks directly at me, and the relief and gratitude in his expression have me melting.
He caught himself. Or rather, we caught him.
Chase claps him on the shoulder, grinning. Brooks counts them into the next song, and this time, Ryder’s opening chords are perfect.
Over my shoulder, I glimpse my aunt. Miranda’s shoulders have relaxed, though she keeps scanning the venue as if she’sfiguring out what changed between the beginning of the song and now.
I blend into the crowd as best I can, but Ryder tilts his frame as if he has found me in his peripheral vision. Calm washes over me, and the same calm mirrors in his stance on stage.
As I frame up my next shot, Miranda’s voice pricks my ears. Her voice raises enough to talk over the music. I glance over my shoulder again, but she’s leaning against a cocktail table, blocking my view of the other person. I take a few steps back, and the other voice sounds uncannily familiar. My stomach almost upends itself when I realize it’s Jasper Whitmore.
“Your father and I had an interesting conversation at a dinner party last month,” Miranda is saying, her voice smooth and professional. “He mentioned he was interested in investing in the music business.” Miranda pulls out a business card, hands it to Jasper. “I’d love to help him dip his toe in.”
Jasper examines the card. “Dad’s always looking for new opportunities. That’s the thing about tech. Sometimes it brings in too much money that you gotta find a new place to park it.”
Miranda tilts her head back with a steady laugh. “Oh goodness. Too much money? How very droll, Jasper.” Miranda taps the card Jasper’s now holding. “I think we could help each other. Tell him to give me a call. I have several acts that could benefit from the right backing.”
Jasper pockets the card. “I’ll let him know.”
“Enjoy the show.” Miranda glances toward the stage. “Are you here to take shots for the school paper?”
Jasper pats his camera, its strap around his neck. “You know it. I never miss an opportunity to document events involving my peers. Even if the lead singer is a thug.”
Miranda flinches. “A thug?”
Jasper rubs his shoulder. “He knocked me down in the hallway before first period on Thursday. I’m still feeling the bruises.”
Miranda shifts into management mode. “Well, you know guitarists. Always perfecting their edgy, don’t-mess-with-me persona.”
While exaggerating the hurt in his shoulder, Jasper’s gaze shifts, locking onto me. His eyes widen and he nudges Miranda. “I think it washerhe didn’t want me messing with.”
Miranda looks over her shoulder, and her nostrils flare when she notices me.
“Alice,” she says with gritted teeth. “I was just chatting with your school friend. Wasn’t there something you wanted to say to Jasper?”
I move closer to them because I’m afraid Miranda might start spitting poison if I don’t.
“Uh, hi… Hi, Jasper,” I stammer, stepping beside my aunt.
Jasper looks down his nose at me, crossing his arms beneath his camera. “Well, well, well. Should’ve known the little stalker was here.”
Making me jolt, Miranda blasts her laughter as if she’s heard the funniest joke in the world. She wipes an invisible tear and sighs. “Oh, Jasper. That’s hilarious. Do people really think my niece is stalking one of my clients?” She presses against her stomach. “Stop, before you say another word, or I’ll lose it with another fit of giggles.”
