“I never joke about training, Padawan.” Chloe winked and looked at Greer and Drew, who both wore perplexed expressions. She waved them off and smiled. “One more time from the top.”
The intro started again, and right on cue, Reid began to sing the opening lyrics of Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Have You Ever Seen the Rain.” The atmosphere relaxed and the tension that had choked the air for the past couple of hours floated away with the melody. Reid’s voice softened and the words rolled off his tongue with a peaceful, easy feeling. Everything felt lighter.
Greer bobbed along with the beat as Drew tapped his foot, both seemingly lost in the beloved classic rock song. Chloe swayed from side to side, mirroring the happy contentedness of everyone else. Off to the side, Tom stepped onto the stage. Chloe noticed his surprise and how it quickly morphed into a look of relief. When the final note faded into silence, Tom pushed off the wall and walked toward the middle of the stage, clapping the entire time.
“I don’t know whose idea that was, but hot damn, that was amazing.”
Reid pulled his guitar strap over his head and looked in Chloe’s direction. “While it seems she didn’t act alone, I’m going to bet it was the one trying way too hard to appear innocent.”
“So, you’re not mad?” The desperate hope written all over her face made Drew laugh.
Reid looked between the two of them before shaking his head slowly. “No. I think I needed that. It’s the most relaxed I’ve felt all day. Hell, all week.”
Chloe threw her arms in the air and twirled before darting across the stage and almost knocking Reid off his feet as she threw her body against his in a massive hug. He let out an “oomph” and steadied her as she pulled away, her expression sheepish but no less happy.
“Sorry. You have no idea how happy I am that you’re not mad.”
“Oh?” Reid asked with a smirk as the others continued to chuckle. “And why is that?”
Chloe shot a look over her shoulder at Drew and Greer, her expression full of mock pity. “Sorry, guys. It looks like you’re stuck with your own laundry.”
“Why would you do their laundry?”
“I told them if playing that song pissed you off, I’d do their laundry by hand for two weeks.”
“Holy shit,” Tom laughed. “I don’t know if that was the ballsiest or dumbest wager I’ve ever heard.”
“I didn’t really think it through, to be honest,” Chloe admitted with a little laugh.
“Well, since I’m not pissed, just the opposite, in fact, what did you win?”
Chloe’s expression softened. She lifted her bow and pointed at Reid, rolling her eyes in embarrassment as she did. “That,” she said, pointing at his smiling face. “Apparently, the possibility of improving your mood was worth washing Greer’s boxers. Again, I’m pretty sure I didn’t think that wager through as well as I should have.”
“Chloe,” Drew said, moving to her side and throwing his arm over her shoulder. “That was the most idiotic wager I’ve ever heard of in my life. Next time, start with food runs. Don’t pull out the big guns from the beginning.”
Chloe’s expression was solemn. “Got it.”
“Well,” Greer sighed. “Looks like I need to go turn my boxers inside out before the show.”
“Gross.” Chloe pretended to gag while the rest of the group groaned in disgust.
Tom clapped to get everyone’s attention. “Dinner will be set up in about an hour. Everyone go get cleaned up and we’ll meet back here. Sound good?”
Chloe nodded and waved good-bye as everyone scattered. She’d just rounded the side stage when Reid wrapped his fingers around her arm and pulled her to a stop. She turned to face him, immediately noticing his expression. His eyes were hesitant. He tapped the side of his leg with his free hand and chewed his bottom lip. He looked nervous, apprehensive. When he spoke, he confirmed Chloe’s suspicion.
“Can we talk?”
The small space off to the side of the stage was dimly lit and smelled of stale alcohol. Reid imagined to most it would be unpleasant, but he found the familiarity comforting. After a quick glance back at the stage, he shuffled his feet and motioned down the hall toward his dressing room.
“Do you mind if we go back there?” He wasn’t sure why he felt the need to speak with her in private. No one was around, and even if they were, the two of them chatting wouldn’t raise any eyebrows. Even still, he felt uneasy.
“Of course,” Chloe agreed, turning quickly, but not fast enough for Reid to miss her sudden look of concern. He was making her as uneasy as he felt, which wasn’t his intention.
“There’s a cooler full of Coke in my dressing room. I’m thirsty as hell.” Reid smiled when Chloe’s gait slowed and her shoulders dropped a little. His remark had its intended effect.