Page 120 of Fauxmance

"My driver is here. I need to get home. Make sure Hayden knows what a wonderful job he did. He is so very talented. I could listen to his guitar forever and never tire of it."

"I will," I promised and then grabbed her hand. "He would love to hear that from you."

"Another time," she said, giving my hand a squeeze before letting go. "Goodnight, Magnolia."

"Goodnight, Constance."

I nodded and watched as she walked away. I didn't know what it was, but something told me this wasn't the first time she'd done this. It was all too practiced. She'd known just where to sit, exactly when to leave to avoid detection. Hayden had a fan in his grandmother, and he didn't even know it.

I couldn't tell him.

I'd told Constance that I wouldn't. But I'd make sure he knew how I felt about his playing.

I walked toward the stage, and he met me in the center of the floor.

Hayden threw me a smile. "Did you like it?"

"Like it?" I said. "Heck no. I loved it! You were so amazing!"

"Yeah, right."

"You were."

As he shook his head, I placed my hand gently on his cheek and turned him to face me.

"You. Are. Amazing," I said, making sure he heard every word, and hopefully even some I didn't say. "Don't make me repeat myself, Hayden Bartholomew. Just accept the compliment."

Hayden chuckled. "Okay, fine. I'm amazing."

I nodded.

A second later, I felt Hayden stiffen and had to drop my hand as he looked at something over my shoulder.

"Hi Hayden," a voice I didn't recognize said. "It's good to see you."

He didn't respond.

"Well, aren't you going to say anything?"

When I turned around, my eyes found the speaker right away. She was about my height, but where my features were more rounded, thisgirl'swere long and slender. The light seemed to cling to her, bringing out her bright blue eyes and rose-tinted cheeks. Unlike me, she obviously knew how to do her makeup—not that she needed any. With her heart-shaped face and those long locks of golden blonde hair, I was pretty much sure anyone would find her attractive. It was like seeing a Disney princess come to life.

Hayden still hadn't said anything.

I didn't know if it was because he didn't want to talk to this person or if he'd just lost his voice.

Santino didn't have that problem.

"What areyoudoing here?" he hissed, coming up beside us and standing on Hayden's other side. "I could've sworn we banned you from our shows."

The girl's eyes narrowed. "I wasn't talking to you, Santino."

"No, you were talking to my boy. Who you have absolutely no right to speakto.Ever."

Ryker and Elliot came over, flanking Hayden and me on either side.

"What the hell is this?" Elliot said.

"You shouldn't be here," Ryker said to her.

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