Page 101 of Love is a Lyric
“No one wants to hear what I have to say.”
A laugh burst out of Drew and then another until he couldn’t stop himself. “Piper,” he wheezed, trying to catch his breath. “The truth is out now. You, my dear assistant, are in for a shock.”
She hugged her arms across her chest, not quite sure she was ready for whatever he meant. She’d only ever written for Quinn and Ben. Would it be the same hearing someone else sing her words?
A knock sounded on the side of the bus, and Piper stood to open the door. “Chase.” She lunged down the steps into his arms.
If there was one person who could keep her feet grounded through all of this, it was her best friend. Chase lifted his eyes to the doorway where Drew stared out at him with a knowing grin.
Chase mirrored the look, and Piper backed away, not sure how she felt about the secret in Chase’s eyes. “Um, am I missing something?”
Chase wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “No, but I’m starving. Let’s go eat.”
She looked back at Drew. “You need anything?”
He shook his head. “Nah. I can handle soundcheck without you. Eat something deliciously unhealthy for me. I’ll see you before the concert.”
“Are you sure? I could—”
“Piper, go.”
“Yes, sir.” She saluted, trying to suppress a grin, and led Chase away. “All right, ground rules. You are here for emotional support, but we do not discuss your brother or anything my sister said to the entire world last night. Got it?”
Chase nodded. “Who knew Quinn had it in her to be a good person?”
“I did. Even when she couldn’t see it herself, I always knew what she was capable of.”
* * *
“I can’t believe I’m backstage at a Drew Stone concert.” Chase bounced on his toes as Piper stared down at her clipboard, checking items off.
She didn’t look up. “He was at your parents’ house not too long ago. How are you still starstruck?”
“That was different. He was there as my brothers’ friend. But now… lord, that man is hot.”
Piper laughed and followed her gaze to where Drew leaned against the cinder block wall with a gaggle of dancers circled around him.
“Oh gosh.” Chase grabbed her arm. “There’s Noah Clarke and Jo Jackson.”
Piper pulled her arm free. “You’re weird.”
Unlike Ben who transformed from sweet-looking Ohio boy to dangerous rocker before stepping on stage, Drew, Noah, and Jo had no alter egos. The person on stage was the same as the one off.
She walked toward the table laden with food and retrieved a bottle of water before approaching Drew and pushing through the dancers. “Hydrate.” She held it out to him. “You’re on in five.”
The opening band finished up their final song, and Drew’s dancers took their places as the sets were changed out. Drew stood behind the dancers on the darkened stage, his head bowed as if in prayer. His lead dancer, Leah, took up her position. They always started out with an upbeat number to get the jitters out by dancing.
As soon as the music started, the crowd sang along. Before working for Drew, Piper had never seen anyone move as fluidly as him. He didn’t play an instrument, but he didn’t need to when he mesmerized his fans with each step.
She couldn’t help comparing him toFate, to Ben. They both commanded the stage in different ways. Ben’s fingers did the dancing as they plucked guitar strings.
As thoughts of him and Quinn’s words overwhelmed her, Piper stepped back from the side of the stage and walked around the corner, stopping as she reached the cool wall. Pressing her back up against it, she closed her eyes.
“You okay, Pipes?” Chase jogged to reach her.
“Fine. Go back to watch the concert. I know you’ve been waiting for this.”
“I don’t care about the concert. I care about you.”
