Page 15 of To the Moon and Back

We paused between numbers and I swigged from a water bottle.

“We love you, Sliders.”

“Yeah! More, more.”

I could hardly believe my ears. They liked it. They wanted more.

“And there is more.” I set back my shoulders and raised my arm. “You at the back, you want more?”

“Yes!” The roar was music to my ears.

Rich ran his fingers down the strings, a familiar intro to our next song.

And then I was off again, singing, doing the thing I loved with the men I loved. And this time not in Rich’s garage, or a local pub—we were entertaining the masses at the hippest festival of the summer…on center stage.

When the final song started up, I felt invincible, as if I’d just won the world. I sang, swaying my hips, strutting, acting out the words that had been written from my heart.

I spotted Chris and Jed in the wings. Both had their arms folded, feet apart and a look of intense concentration as they watched my every move.

I sashayed a little more as I entered the last chorus of Sweet Cheeks. Chris and Jed’s attention weighed heavier than the crowd’s. What were they thinking? What did they see when they saw me; us?

Our slot came to an end. I was breathing hard. “And we’re Sliders. Thank you for listening and being with us here today.”

The applause lasted until we’d ran off the stage, both Rich and Nial holding my hands.

Elation was like a drug and I was high on it—high on life and high on music.

I can’t believe that just happened.

“That was incredible.” Rich swung me around.

Nial grabbed me from him and planted a kiss on my lips. “You were amazing.”

I laughed. “I loved it, every minute of it.”

“I have to say.” Chris shook his head. “You’re going to be a hard act to follow.”

“Don’t be silly.” I hugged him. It felt like the most natural thing in the world to do. To throw my arms around a superstar and press up against his hot, hard body. “Thank you. Thank you so much.”

He laughed and pulled me closer still. “We’re the ones thanking you. Without Sliders getting the crowd going, our job would be much tougher.”

“Talking of the crowd, they’re waiting.” Jed tapped his watch. "Put her down, Chris and get your ass on stage.”

Chris released me into Nial’s waiting arms. “We should hang out later. I reckon a storm is going to hit. We’ve got a trailer. Join us—all of you.”

“Are you sure, we wouldn’t want to—” I started.

“We’d love to.” Rich grinned. “Thanks.”

“Excellent.” Chris smiled at me, the corners of his eyes creasing a little. “Wish me luck.”

“Break a leg.” My heart did a little flip. Our time with Scarlet Men wasn’t over yet.

Chris and Jed were of course utterly brilliant and wowed the crowd even though the evening had darkened owing to the fat bellies of the clouds inching ever closer and blocking out the sunset.

Rich, Nial and I relished standing in the wings watching them. We were more than fans now; we were the support act—we were in with the cool gang.

And damn they’re hot, Chris and Jed.

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