Page 117 of Tempting the Player
None more than me. She owns me.
40
JANE
Hendrick has already madehis way backstage by the time I drag myself away from the screaming crowd. I want to soak up their smiles and screams and hold onto it forever. Through all the ups and downs, this is one of those moments I want to remember.
He’s smiling as I rush toward him. I jump and he catches me in his arms with a laugh.
“You were amazing!” He spins me around, and my body and heart soar with happiness.
When he puts me down, I ask, “I didn’t wreck your mom’s favorite song?”
“No, it was perfect. I loved it. She would have loved it too.”
I want to scream, “and I LOVE YOU” at the top of my lungs but I’m well aware this high I’m feeling right now is part adrenaline-induced. There’s also the band. After a show, we always spend some time unwinding and then packing everything up together.
“I have to help tear everything down and drink like a gallon of water.”
“I’ll wait,” he says.
“No. That’s silly. I’ll catch a ride with Eric.”
He grumbles at the mention of my guy friend. I don’t hate seeing him jealous though.
“In his car, not on his joystick.” I kiss him.
“Jesus, woman. That mouth.”
Happy laughter bubbles from my lips. God, performing is such a high. Combine that with this amazing man in front of me and I am practically floating. “You love my mouth. Now go home. You have been here all freaking day.”
“So have you.”
“Yeah, but I was just sitting around for most of it. Stop arguing with your girlfriend.”
“I’m not leaving you, but I do need to go check on a few things and thank the guys who drove in today to help. I’ll wait for you in the security tent.” He tips his head to the right where the team of security guys had a tent setup similar to the one for the band.
“Okay. I will hurry.”
“Don’t rush.” He kisses my forehead. “Do you need to go by the house first or are we going straight to the party?”
“The house, I think. Maybe. I’m not sure. I want to change. Hopefully this doesn’t take too long, but if it does, I might want to go straight to the party.” I’m talking fast, adrenaline still crashing through me. “Can I ride your joystick on the way?”
Chuckling, his eyes flash with dirty promises. “Absolutely.”
Eric and the rest of the band are talking and joking around not far from us. They sound as on top of the world as I feel. I pull away from him. “See you soon, boyfriend.”
Mackenzie is the first to step toward me when she sees me heading their way. “Thank you. Thank you.”
“For what?”
“I’ve never experienced anything like that. It was all because of you.”
“No way. They were screaming for all of us. Your voice has never sounded better.” I hug her and then Ted holds out a cold water to me.
“I told her the same thing,” he says.
It’s sweet to see him always trying to build her up. I thank him for the water and then take a long drink. The guys are double-fisting it—water in one hand and beer in the other.
