“Great news,” she says once we’ve stepped far enough from where the next band has taken the stage and begun to play. “The Indie Music Review is doing a human interest piece on bands playing in the festival. A reporter will be by to interview the three of you tomorrow.”
“Wow, that’s amazing.” The high from performing still has me barely touching the ground. “Whatever you did to make that happen, thank you.”
Dallas gives us the specific time to be at rehearsal for the interview, and then bursts my hyped-up bubble by telling us we’re going to head back to the hotel so we can get plenty of sleep tonight.
Gavin and I lag a few steps behind Mandy and my brother while they discuss possible interview questions.
Leaning down until his mouth is level with my ear, he says, “Looks like we aren’t the only ones considering crossing some lines.” His arms grazes softly against mine, sending a trail of warmth sparking down it.
I glance over and see Mandy smiling her toothpaste commercial smile at my brother. Dallas is grinning and nodding and using his hands to tell her an animated story about a show we performed recently where the stage was behind a Plexiglas wall due to the fact that the patrons tended to throw things. Not necessarily the tale I’d be regaling her with if I wanted to impress her, but Dallas was so proud that we were the only act that night that didn’t have to dodge beer bottles.
I grin and return my attention to Gavin, vaguely aware that the bottom of my stomach drops out when his eyes meet mine.
“Is that all we’re doing? Considering crossing them?”
Before he answers, Dallas tells us to get a move on. The conversation remains behind us.
Chapter 13
“LICK,” I SAY WHEN HE OPENS HIS DOOR.
Gavin’s eyes widen. “What?”
“Lick,” I repeat, peering past him into the boys’ slovenly room and enjoying the way his pupils widen, an ethereal glow illuminating them as his heated eyes latch on to mine. “The ice cream place. I want to go there.”
After our show I changed into jeans and a plain white tank top because as cute as my boots were, my ankles were in serious danger of snapping. But I couldn’t just sit restlessly in my room.
Gavin checks the leather cuff that contains his watch. “Okay. Should we wait for Dallas?”
We both turn toward where he stands below us in the parking lot discussing the plans for tomorrow and the showcase with Mandy. I don’t really think my brother would actually cross any lines with her because he’s always been a business-first type. But I’m glad they have chemistry and that she’s taking us seriously.
“Um, I think he’s probably going to be busy for a while.” I send up a silent prayer that we don’t screw it up this time, that Gavin and I can manage getting dessert without turning it into an argument and ruining our plans for Friday night. “We could ask them to join us.”
Gavin calls out and asks if they want to come with us, but they wave us off.
“Don’t be out too late,” my brother cautions.
“Yes, Dad. We’ll be back by curfew,” I say before turning to smile at Mandy. “It was fantastic meeting you. I hope you enjoyed the show.”
“I did,” she says, nodding. “I’ll be here the rest of the week checking out a few bands but I’ll see you three tomorrow at the interview.”
“Sounds good,” Gavin says with an odd lilt to his voice. “You ready, Dixie?”
I nod, knowing that Gavin is probably nervous about the interview. Public speaking of any kind has never been his thing.
“Gav?” I say after a few minutes of walking in silence because the high from performing hasn’t worn off yet and I can’t just keep quiet.
He turns toward me. “Yeah?”
“Are you worried about the interview?”
He’s quiet for a long string of seconds, then he shrugs. “Nah. No reason to be. Why? Are you?”
“I just have this feeling that this is bigger than the fair, bigger than anything we’ve done before. I think things are about to change. The band, us, everything.”