Page 9 of To the Moon and Back

Was this really happening? Scarlet Men were my favorite band of all time and Chris Harlow one of the best-looking guys to have ever walked the planet.

And he was staring straight at me.

“Better?” he asked.

I nodded. My tongue wouldn’t seem to work.

“Good.” He glanced to his right. “You with someone?”

Again I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. Chris was even more gorgeous in person than when I’d seen him in pictures or on the TV. He was taller than I’d expected too, and broad. His black t-shirt hugged his shoulders and pecs in a way that made me jealous of the material.

“A guy?” he asked, still looking to his right.

I followed his line of sight. Rich was heading my way, a concerned crease plowing over his brow.

“Lacy,” he said, jogging now.

Chris released my shoulders and stepped back.

Rich gathered me close, pressing me to his chest and tucking my head beneath his chin. “Fuck, are you hurt?”

“No.” I clung to him, fisting his t-shirt and letting a tear escape.

“Shh, it’s okay.” He kissed the top of my head.

“You got her?” Chris asked.

“Yeah, thanks, mate. I owe you one.” Rich held me tighter.

I raised my line of sight in time to see Chris heading around the back of the stage. He nodded at a security guy who parted the barrier for him.

“What the hell happened? Where did you go?” Rich asked, cupping my face and forcing me to look at him.

“I got knocked down and couldn’t get up.” I paused to swallow a sob. “And you and Nial, I couldn’t see you and…” Another well of emotion. “And then that guy he saved me, got me out here.”

“Thank goodness, it’s a nightmare in there.”

“Where’s Nial?”

“Right at the front. They opened another section to ease the congestion. He’s fine.”

“Good.”

He swept his lips over mine. “You sure you’re okay?”

“Yeah, it just gave me a fright.” I glanced in the direction Chris had gone. He was nowhere to be seen.

Chapter Four

There was a pause between bands and Rich and I managed to catch up with Nial. His t-shirt had been soaked by someone’s drink so he’d removed it and tucked it into his back pocket.

“I can do without getting crushed again,” I said, munching into a veggie burger.

“Yeah, that was too much.” Nial clicked his tongue on the roof of his mouth. “I don’t want you in that kind of thing.”

“Just as well it’s the silent disco soon.” Rich grinned and covered his burger in lurid yellow mustard.

“We’ve got time for a beer after this,” Nial said, wrestling a pile of onions that had been heaped onto his hot dog.

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