There’s a giant crowd outside the Rec Room. The parking lot is at max capacity, so we park on the street.

“I think everyone in town is here for the show,” I note. “Declan’s probably nervous.”

“You say that like they’re here to see him,” Tally muses.

“Who else would they be here to see?”

“Me, of course.” She flips her golden locks over her shoulders. “Or Kiley, I suppose.”

I roll my eyes.

She winks and jerks me toward the rear of the building so we can bypass the line. Being with the band has certain benefits. While the idea of a bigger crowd disturbs me, the bet we made earlier turns my apprehension into anticipation.

Sure, it was beyond juvenile in all regards. The bet itself. What the bet was for. The wager. Tally’s got this infuriating knack for dragging me down to her maturity level. Low. It’s very, very low. At the same time, officially knowing where I stand when it comes to Derry would be nice. Plus, seeing her lose will be the icing on the cake.

Still going on about that cake, Superego tsks.

“Did you see all those prospects?” I goad. “You’ll have quite the audience for your grand public claim.”

She releases my arm, sneering at me. “We’ll see.”

Even through the cluster of would-be-groupies, I have no trouble spotting Derry. The stage lights are shining straight on him. Amidst the wires, he’s the Christmas tree star. Merry Christmas to me.

“Hey, Sweetheart.” He greets me with a kiss on the cheek.

His effect on me is profound, and I’m not the only one who feels it. Empathic bright side: I don’t have to wonder how he feels. Empathic dim side: I don’t know if those feelings are authentically his or just mine reflecting back at me like they did with my dad.

“Just finishing up here,” he informs me.

Though the riled up crowd is shouting behind me, hearing him is a nonissue. When Derry’s around, he’s the only thing around. “What can I do to help?”

“You can serve as a holder for my wiring.” He smiles appreciatively, handing me two armfuls. “If you do a good job, I’ll give you something else to hold later.” Crack.

I grip the wire tighter as heat sparks in my cheeks.

Don’t fry the wires, Superego chastises.

“I’m doing my best.”

He pats my head. “You’re doing a great job.”

“That’s not…I wasn’t…” I sigh. “Forget it.”

Barry pops over, sliding his arm over my shoulder and pulling me to him. “How’s it going over here? Crowd’s getting restless.”

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

Derry looks from Barry to his arm to me, something flashing in his eyes. Barry slowly removes the arm, holding his hands up in surrender.

I scowl.

Derry lifts a brow, keen to the disapproval over his possessive display. “Hot?”

“Totally not cool,” I clip.

“As I said, hot. Not cool means hot by default.” He gets a point for his ridiculousness.

He directs his attention back to Barry. “Green light for go in five minutes.” They finish in three, bumping knuckles when it’s done.

He leans in to whisper, “You ready to concede to my hotness yet?”

I shrug. “Yet to see hot, but you’re nailing the cool.”

“I’ll show you cool,” he threatens.

I can’t do anything except laugh. It isn’t much of a threat. What exactly does he plan to do in a room full of people? He can’t publicly persuade me of his hotness. Hmm. Would a public display prove his desire for me isn’t a figment of my imagination? I feel it, but that potential mirroring is problematic.

“Hey, Sheyla,” says an annoying voice attached to a body stationing itself next to me. “Who’s this? Want to introduce?”

I knew Tally’s swarm would show up. Usually, they’re too busy trailing along behind their queen bee to bother me. No, I definitely don’t want to introduce her to my boyfriend. He’s my boyfriend, right? Maybe she means Barry. That isn’t much safer territory for her, but it’s better than her buzzing around my flower.

Hey there, Pot. This is Kettle. Just checking in, Superego chides.

I swallow a groan and stow the jealousy.

“Yeah,” says a second voice. “We can take them off your hands.”

While feeling the hormones kicking into overdrive is incredibly awkward, Derry’s irritation grounds me. He’s put off by how transparent they are. I wouldn’t have expected that.

Perhaps I’ll reinstate my fan club membership, Superego advises. He might be a keeper.

I point at the oversized muscle man flexing his pecs in tandem. Is he trying to test Tally’s resolve? “This is Barry.” When I redirect my pointer at Derry, intending to introduce him next, he uses the opportunity to grab hold of my finger, pull me into his arms, and spin me back around to face the kicker and licker. They quickly lose interest in Derry, diverting their focus to Barry.

“I’m Caitlyn,” the fiery redhead states enthusiastically, Cassandra hot on her heels. Caitlyn’s the kicker.

“I’m Cassie,” says the second girl, taking the lead by touching Barry’s forearm. She giggles at him flexing for her. Cassie’s the licker.

This should be interesting, Superego chirps.

Derry snorts, and I eye him suspiciously. He shrugs, nodding his head toward the upcoming storm. Well, look at that. Tally is not impressed. How will she handle the situation without conceding to our bet? Front row seats are the best.

“Just what do you think you’re doing?” she spits, causing Cassie to jump and Caitlyn to sneer.

“Getting acquainted with the security,” Caitlyn retorts as Cassie whispers, “Saying hi to Sheyla.”

Derry’s chest is rumbling at my back with barely contained laughter. He’s enjoying the preshow, too. To a kicker, a delicious snack is an absolutely valid reason for outright mutiny. A licker would be more apt to stand back and wait to see who ends up walking the plank.

“You’ve met him,” Tally says coldly. “Now, go meet someone else.”

Cassie blinks rapidly while Caitlyn scoffs. “You’re telling us who we can and can’t talk to now?”

Tally squares her shoulders. “Nope, you can talk all you want.”

Caitlyn smirks and draws closer to Barry, who’s looking rather amused to be the cause of a prospective catfight. Cassie’s staring at me with pleading eyes.

“Is there something you want to tell them, Tally?” I ask sweetly.

Again, Derry’s chest shakes behind me from laughter. I squirm when his arms come around me so he can rest his chin on my shoulder.

“Is there something you want to tell them?” Tally volleys.

My shoulders sag a bit. Maybe we don’t need a classification, but that doesn’t stop me from wanting it.

Derry rescues me. “What my girlfriend is trying to help your friends figure out is whether or not my brother is on or off the market.”

I’m in sheer shock, relief, excitement, horror, eagerness, and then confusion, in that specific order. Giddiness wins best of show, sending fire razors slicing through my veins. My temperature is rising dramatically. With Derry so close, I’m scared what it’ll do to him. Does he feel it? How can I explain it to him? Will he soothe this burn, or will he stoke the fire?