Page 113 of Even Beneath the Stars

We go back and forth, discussing song order, transitions, whether we should attempt that weird breakdown in one of the songs I wrote last week.

I tune them out for a second, just taking it in.

The fire crackles. The waves crash somewhere behind us.

And for once, everything in my life feels good.

The band. Maggie. Finn.

I know it’s probably too good to be real. Because if I’ve learned one true thing in my life, it’s that good things rarely last.

But tonight, with salt spray in the air and music in my head, I let myself pretend.

Chapter Forty-Three

Maggie

Isqueeze through the packed crowd, following Silas' broad shoulders as he carves a path toward the area near the stage. The Foundry thrums with an energy beyond anything I've felt here before—bodies pressed together, voices rising above the pre-show music, anticipation crackling through the air like static electricity.

"Holy shit," I breathe, taking in the sea of faces. "I didn't know this many people even lived in Sandy Haven."

"Word got around." Silas glances back at me with a knowing grin. "There's some serious talent between the four of them." He throws me a smirk over his shoulder. "Plus, your boy comes with a built-in fan club."

"Yeah, I noticed," I respond, scanning the crowd. I'm not thrilled about the groups of girls clustered near the stage, their excited chatter rising above the pre-show music. Every few seconds, another squeal or burst of laughter pierces the air. The ratio is impossible to ignore—easily two girls for every guy in here. I recognize a lot of them from some of Xavier's parties… And while I'm not usually the jealous type, I would be lying if I said I don't get an uncomfortable lump in my throat when I notice one of the squealing girls is the blonde who was in Xave's bed my second day at the Rockwell Estate.

"Healthy competition," Silas jokes. "Besides, the other guys have got their own little fandoms, too."

"Yep."

Squealing girls come with the territory, I remind myself. If Xave wants to pursue this music thing, there are going to be groupies and flirty girls. Hopefullyeventually outnumbered, at least, by fans of the band's music rather than their looks or popularity.

"And looks like Travers is doing his part to cut down the number of girls lusting after your guy." Silas chuckles, motioning with his chin toward the side of the stage where Beck Travers is holding court in one corner, girls hanging off him like flies on a honey-baked ham.

Then I spot Seb standing on a chair up front, waving his arms at us like he's directing air traffic, wearing his signature backwards ball cap and infectious grin. No idea why he's standing on a chair; he's already taller than most people in here. We reach the tables where he, Caroline, Jackie, and Scarlett have staked out prime real estate near the stage. Mason and Laney and a bunch of other closer friends from Ocean Heights are with them too.

"Our boy is gonna kill it tonight," Seb yells over the crowd.

My stomach does a little flip. I was with Xave earlier during soundcheck, all focused intensity as he adjusted mic levels and tested his guitar. Now he's backstage with the rest of the band, and I can't imagine how nervous he must be right now. Hell, my own hands are shaking with nerves.

It takes me a while to greet everyone; there are so many people here tonight that I know. Kids from Ocean Heights and SH Prep. As it gets closer to go-time, the energy levels surge even higher. Seb is literally bouncing off the walls, he's so excited. His parents are in the crowd somewhere, here to support Xave. They're pretty close with him, since he and Seb have been best friends since elementary school.

My mother really wanted to come tonight, but Xavier said it would just make him extra nervous. He still hasn't met her yet. Every time I suggest he come to my place for dinner or drop by the café to meet her, he has some reason why he can't. The excuses are legitimate enough that I can't call him out, but vague enough that I know he's avoiding it.

And I get it—meeting parents is a big step. But Mom isn't some stern, judgmental figure—and Xave knows that. Plus, I have no doubt my mom is going to love him. Although, after seeing how Barron and Jacee treat him, Iunderstand why Xave might be gun-shy about new parent interactions. Still, it stings a little every time he deflects.

I thought my mom might be nervous hearing I'm dating the guy I'm temporarily living across the hall from. But she told me I'm stricter on myself with rules about dating guys than she probably is—and pointed out if she had any doubts about my ability to make smart choices centered around appropriate values, then she wouldn't have let me take a job in the first place, where I'm co-living with a guy my own age. Which means a lot to me—that she trusts me enough to get that I'm not the kind of girl whose values suddenly crumble at the onset of a little smooth flattery or good looks or plain old curiosity. I may have my faults, but I do kinda rock in the self-respect department. Which, in all honesty, is a trait I learned from her.

My phone buzzes with a text, and I pull it out of my pocket.

Xavier

shit maggs don't think i can do this

Maggs

that's what u said about jamming that first time w the guys.

look how that turned out

---