Page 91 of Don't Think

The question hits me in the chest, and before I realize it, I’m smiling. “Unbelievably.”

He grins, too, gives a little nod, and steps back toward the door. “Then I’m happy for you, man.”

I watch him leave, and it’s like someone lifted a concrete block off my shoulders. Maybe keeping it quiet wasn’t the smartest move after all—especially since apparently, everyone alreadyknew. But there’s no going back now.

I just hope Allie doesn’t flip her lid.

The second we pull up to the venue, this weird wave of déjà vu hits me.

It’s been almost a month since we played this exact stage, but tonight? We’re here as fans.

Well… fans sounds too formal.

We’re here asfriends. As a support system for a band that, like us, got scouted during last year’s Overcast Tour.

Just like every group that hit the stage last summer, these guys are insanely talented. They’ve already been on tour for two months, which makes sense since they hit the studio way before we did. So when we found out they were coming back through Boston, there was no question about it. We had to be here to cheer them on.

Still, it’s a strange feeling. Being on this side of it. Waiting in line with the crowd versus lugging gear through the back door.

James nudges me with his elbow and nods behind me. “Your lady just rolled up,” he says, teasing.

I wish he’d cool it with the jokes—especially with Casey standing right behind us. I know he doesn’t mean any harm, but seriously… is it really that hard to keep something quiet for just one more day? He’d been doing so well, I didn’t even know he knew, and now? It’s like it’s the only thing he wants to talk about.

But the second she comes into view, all of that irritation just disappears, like the wind comes through and sweeps it clean off my shoulders.

I stand there, arms crossed, unable to stop the grin that creeps across my lips.

Every step she takes closer, it’s like I can breathe a little easier. Like for the first time today, I’m actually taking a full breath that fills my lungs.

She’s the breath of fresh air I never knew I needed.

And then she’s right in front of me, smiling likeI’mexactly whatsheneeded today.

“Come here often?” she teases, throwing in a subtle wink before giggling.

My hand moves on its own—thumb brushing lightly across her bottom lip.

“Not nearly often enough,” I murmur, and quickly pull my hand away.

“All right, gang. We ready?” Gareth’s voice cuts in.

My heart lurches straight into my throat.

Fuck. I didn’t even think. What if someone else saw that? What if he had been Nora? Or even Casey.

I glance at Allie, half expecting her to look panicked, but she doesn’t even flinch. She’s still looking at me with those big, wide, doe-eyed blues, completely calm. Like it didn’t even register as something we needed to hide anymore.

Either she hasn’t put two and two together… or maybe she’s starting not to care who finds out.

And that thought alone makes my chest feel just a little bit lighter.

Just one more day.

I forgot how much fun it is to just be in the crowd.

It obviously doesn’t beat being the one on stage, but the adrenaline still pulses through your veins just the same down here. Especially with these guys. They don’t play any heavier than we do, but I definitely took a few mental notes for when we hit the road.

The final chord of BearPaw’s outro rips through the venue, vibrating up through the floor and straight into my boots.