Page 11 of Under Pressure

Nonna’s eyes swept to Blue in an approving sort of way, smiled at what she was seeing, and stepped forward, placing a hand on Sean’s arm. “Who’s this lovely young lady? And what is she doing with you?”

Sean put a hand to his heart. “Nonna! That hurts.”

Nonna winked at him.

“Where’d you learn your manners?” Grandpa grinned. “Introduce us already.”

Sean touched his chin and glanced up as if he was in thought. “Where’d I learn my manners? That’d be from you, pretty sure.”

Nonna chuckled, and Blue couldn’t help but join in.

Sean signaled between her and his grandparents. “Nonna, Grandpa, this is my friend Bluebell. We have business class together.” He glanced at Blue. “Blue, this is my Grandma Amelia, and my Grandpa Don.”

Blue extended her hand. “It’s so nice to meet you.”

They shook her hand, both cupping hers in theirs, making Blue feel strangely stable and comfortable in their company.

“We’re so pleased to meet you,” Amelia said. “Sean hasn’t stopped talking about you all week. I hope you liked my hot chocolate.”

Blue shot a glance toward Sean, certain he must be embarrassed, but his smile held and he winked at her.

“Best hot chocolate in the world,” Sean said. “How could she not?”

Amelia blushed and swatted at his shoulder.

“He’s right.” Don kissed his wife on the head.

Who were these people? She always thought families like this only existed in movies. She quickly pulled herself together. “I have to agree. Your hot chocolate gave me something to look forward to every morning.”

“Not me?” Sean asked, dejected. “And to think I’ve been getting up at four every day just to study with you.”

Blue wrinkled her nose, feeling guilty again. “Yeah, sorry about that.”

Don shook his head. “Don’t be. You’re keeping him on his toes. It’s character building.”

More laughter from Sean. “Between the three of you, I must have a lot of character then.”

Blue didn’t quite know why, but she liked being included in that statement even though she’d only known him a couple months and really only talked to him the last week. She felt like she belonged, and the only place she’d ever felt she belonged was with her dad and . . . Dom.

She swallowed the lump the thought of her brother brought on and forced a smile. Sean leaned in close and whispered in her ear. “Hey, are you okay?”

She nodded and smiled up at him. “Better than okay. Thank you for inviting me.”

He pointed to her seat as his grandparents took theirs. She sat next to his Nonna.

The lights in the stadium dimmed, and smoke from smoke machines billowed across the stage and over the edge like a water fall. Spotlights lit the stage and spun in every direction as a slow crescendo of music began to build. Axel and The Venturists ran out onto the stage, the smoke swirling away from their legs like eddies, and the crowd screamed and stomped and whistled.

Blue cheered and shot a glance at Amelia and Don. Amelia had an indulgent smile on her face and stars in her eyes as she stared at Axel—she must have a little crush on the rock star. That was adorable. Don, however, was rolling his eyes as Axel sweet-talked the crowd.

“Good evening, Orlando!” Axel pointed his mic at the audience as he strutted in his leather pants and tight tee toward the front of the stage.

More screams filled the air.

Don covered his eyes.

“Are you ready to party?” Axel tossed his head, throwing his chin-length hair out of his face.

And yet more yelling.

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