Page 60 of Caper Crush
A fan screams, “We love you, Miranda! Don’t ever change!”
Rex introduces Jamal as our drummer and Ayanna on keyboards. We all grab hands and bow again to another round of applause.
I made it through. If only I hadn’t cried when William was watching.
I head for the exit off the stage, my slinky, glove-tight, blue dress swishing against my legs.
Surprisingly, Rex follows me, brushing up against me on the stairs off the stage.
“Where are you going in such a hurry?” he asks in a low whisper.
“To change.” I hope he doesn’t want to discuss some new song he’s thought of.
He follows me. I stop in front of my dressing room door, my hand on the door handle, my back to Rex, blocking the opening of the door. “I’ve got to get out of this dress and go home. It’s been a tough week. The crowd adored you. Don’t you need to go to them?”
“Don’t you need me to unbutton the back of your dress?” Rex leans against the door, his voice a silky whisper.
“No,” I say, annoyed. I definitely don’t want William to hear this.
I look over my shoulder at him and hold tight to the door handle, keeping it closed.
His hand covers mine as he pushes the door open.
“No,” I say. “Rex! I’ll be fine.” I step forward into the room. I don’t see William in the dark, but then feel a tingling. He’s right there, to the right of the door, leaning against the wall.
“I’ve been staring at those buttons all night. You never wore this one when we were dating,” Rex says.
“I don’t want your help,” I say firmly, spinning around to face him.
“Just one button,” he says, reaching.
Suddenly, a figure in all black blocks him, placing his body between me and Rex.
“She said she didn’t need your help,” William says.
Rex rocks back. “Who are you?”
The light from the hallway illuminates William. He looks sleek in all black, like a warrior. No accountant vibe now.
“You didn’t tell me you were dating someone new,” Rex says to me.
“I didn’t realize I had to,” I say. Even though we’re not dating, and I should say that. But standing behind William, I feel so warm, as if I’m being bathed in sunlight.
Rex looks at us and puts out his hand to shake William’s. “I hope you make her happy.”
William shakes his hand.
Rex salutes William. “I’ll be off then.”
William shuts the door.
I glance down, embarrassed. My cheeks flush.Why didn’t William correct him?
He steps away, and I back up as well to put some distance between us.
“Carrie is jealous of you,” he says. “When you sang the duet with Rex, she asked me if it looked like you guys were still sleeping together.”
I stare at him, surprised. “We’re not.”
