A snare drum was waiting for me. Four different colors of paint were in clear plastic condiment containers on a chair next to them. A white painter’s mat lined the floor.
I scooped up the rain slicker and slipped it on over my clothes. Avery would kick my ass if I messed up her shirt. My heart hammered against my chest like it did every time I was in front of an audience.
Drawing in a deep breath, I picked up the purple paint and squeezed an ample amount on the drum. I followed it with blue, yellow, and green. I glanced over at the DJ and nodded. The beginning of “Start a War” by Klergy boomed through the speakers, vibrating the wooden stage beneath my feet.
I raised the drumsticks over my head and lowered them in beat with the music. The crowd turned toward me and quieted.
“Get it, babe!” Benji hollered.
I grinned at him as the magic flowed through me. With each strike of the drum, paint splattered in every direction. Bouncing on the tips of my toes to the rhythm, I slammed a drumstick in the middle of the painted membrane and bounced it into the air. Everyone in the bar cheered as I caught it and sank into my own world. The longer I played, the more the audience disappeared, and I was the only one in the room, communing with the music that pulsed through my veins.
Once the song finished, a hush settled over the crowd. I covered the top of the drum with purple paint and glanced over at my two favorite people in the world for encouragement. Avery and Benji beamed at me, and my heart filled with their love and support.
I tapped an intricate rhythm on the rim, bounced the sticks off the edge into the air, spun them around, and caught them. The audience went wild as paint sprayed over my poncho and face. My eyes closed momentarily while I entered into a five-minute routine, and my mind quieted. Music and my drums were the only things that helped me truly find peace inside myself. When I played the last lick, I let out a loud whoop. Thunderous applause finally pulled me back to reality. I flashed a grin at Benji and Avery while I removed my now multicolored slicker and wadded it into a ball. I dropped it on the mat and hopped off the stage.
“Damn, girl, you get better and better every time I hear you!” Avery gave me a big hug, ignoring the blue and yellow splotches on my face and hair.
“I need to go to the bathroom and wash up.”
“Coming through!” Avery called. Everyone let us pass by without us having to elbow our way through them.
“Oh my God. I am terrified when I’m up there, but it’s such a fucking rush!” I exclaimed, turning on the cold water. I grabbed a few paper towels and soaked them. “So much for any makeup remaining in place.”
“Lemme get it.” Avery held her hand out to me, and I gave her the wet mass that was my makeshift washcloth.
She tilted my chin up and dabbed lightly at my skin. “I think that performance calls for more drinks. On me.” She smiled while she cleaned me up.
“Thanks. Since I’m broke until next payday, I’ll take you up on it.” I tilted my head so she could reach my neck.
A few minutes later, we exited the bathroom and made our way to the bar.
Avery rattled off our order, and I glanced over my shoulder, locating Benji chatting up a guy I hadn’t seen before. My gaze returned to Matthew, the bartender, and I flashed him a shy smile.
“You’re hot as hell up there,” Matthew said while he made our drinks. His big brown eyes never left me as he poured a jigger and a half of vodka into a glass, then topped it with cranberry juice.
“Thanks.” Heat rose in my cheeks. I rarely received compliments, much less about my appearance, and I immediately turned stone cold inside. I’d worked for so long not to be seen, so I never really knew how to take praise or what to say in return. Unfortunately, my first thought was to wonder what the person wanted from me—my body or a blow job. Dark memories of my last foster home ripped through me, leaving me trembling slightly.
“Yours is on the house. If you performed more often, I think it would definitely pull in a crowd. Plus, I’d pay you in alcohol.” A huge grin split Matthew’s face as he winked at me.
“I might take you up on that sometime.” That wasn’t the first time Matthew had flirted with me, but it was just harmless. He wasn’t really interested.
Avery discreetly nudged me in the ribs, and I narrowed my eyes, shooting her a knock it off look before taking a drink of my Cape Cod.
“Thanks, Matthew. I appreciate it.” I gave him a grateful smile and scanned the room to see where Benji was. A flicker of something familiar caught my eye, and I turned toward the end of the bar. Eyes the color of blue-gray stormy skies stared back at me. My breath hitched as a chill tingled down my spine. The drink slipped from my hands and crashed to the floor.
“Are you okay? You look like you’ve seen a ghost or some shit.” Avery grabbed my arm and shook it slightly. “Hey, Tensley.” Her other hand gently patted my cheek as she demanded my attention.
I dragged my focus away from the guy at the end of the bar and swallowed hard. This can’t be happening. How did he find me? Bile rose in my throat, and I willed the foul taste down.
“I gotta go,” I croaked. “Sorry I made a mess, Matthew.”
Matthew nodded at me. “You don’t look too good. Don’t worry about it. We’ll get it.”
Before Avery could say anything else, my focus landed on the guy at the end of the bar again. I wanted to tell myself I was mistaken, that there was no way in fucking hell Layne Garrison was staring back at me. But I couldn’t deny it.
2
Gasping for fresh air, I bolted through the front door and into the parking lot. Tears pricked my eyes, and I angrily forced them back. I’d sworn off crying years ago. It was a sign of weakness and vulnerability. One thing I’d learned from bouncing around to different homes and families was to never let them see me hope or cry. Hope I would fit in—cry when I didn’t.
“What in the world?” Avery asked, running through the parking lot after me. “Tensley, stop!” She pulled on my arm and whirled me around to face her. “Shit, you’re pale. Are you sick?” Her eyes narrowed while she analyzed me.
“Yeah.” I would go with that excuse. I’d had several shots close together, which would support my lie. “I needed some air before I puked all over Matthew. Sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.” I held my breath, not knowing whether she would see through me. I hated not being honest with my best friend, but I didn’t know how to even begin to process that Layne Garrison was in Spokane, Washington. Fuck.
A brisk wind kicked up and I wrapped my arms around myself. It wasn’t that cold yet, but October was right around the corner, and the temps would take a hard dip.
“Nope. Your reason isn’t working. Try again.” She tapped her finger against her chin while she studied me.
My shoulders sagged in defeat. Avery wasn’t going to let it go.
“You were looking at some hot dude when you turned ghostly white on me. Even those cute freckles on your nose and cheeks paled. Something is definitely up with this guy, and I’m not sure I like it.”
“Tensley?” Benji hurried toward us. “What’s up? Why did you guys leave so fast?”
Shit. Apparently, my shock had sent off a beacon warning to my friends, casting me in the spotlight. But I didn’t know how in the hell I would explain who Layne was.