Behind the Mask: A Rockstar Romance(17)

“No, too cliché. You put on a mask, a masquerade mask. You don’t say a word. You just play and let them make up their minds,” she says, proud of herself.

“This isn’t going to work.” I stand up, but she pushes me back down in my seat.

“It will. Now get some beauty sleep. Your new life starts tomorrow.” She shrieks, heading to the bathroom. I sit there, shaking my head.

They are going to tell it’s me.

I’m not good enough.

Once Tegan finds out, I know she will make sure I quit.

What am I getting myself into?





“I think I’m going to be sick.” I place my hand on my stomach to stop the butterflies from somersaulting. Why am I even doing this?

“You are going to be great. You know their music, you are a badass with the guitar. They are going to want you after two seconds of hearing you play.” Naomi places her hands on my shoulders. “You got this.”

I suck in a deep breath, nodding. “Okay. I got this.” Dammit, my voice shakes. Good job I’m not singing.

“Don’t forget this.” She places a black lace masquerade mask on me. I am sure Tegan would stop me before I get to play if she saw me standing in front of them.

“Do I look okay?” I look down at my skinny jeans and T-shirt that hangs from one shoulder. I probably look stupid with the mask on, but it’s a must.

“You look great.” She beams at me.

I just wish I had her confidence. Playing for Blacken Hart would be a dream come true, even if it is just temporary until my sister’s hand is healed. My life will be so different for three weeks.

“Two, one, two.” The lady who has been calling out the attendees turns my way, looking at me. Now I definitely feel like I’m going to be sick.

Oh shit, what if I throw up?

“Just breathe. Remember you are good. Now show them what they are missing.” Naomi gives me a little push to the woman, and I start walking on shaky legs to the stage. I look around the gigantic room, seeing my sister, Tegan, Sam, Troy, and of course Nate watching me.

Just luck will have it, I stumble over my feet, almost landing on my face. Tegan smiles devilishly. Sam shakes his head and my eyes go to Nate, but like always his face shows no emotion. I stand on the marked spot on the floor and the lady walks to the band, handing over my application, which Naomi helped me fill in.

“Anonymous? Really?” Tegan shouts out.

“It says you don’t want to say who you are until after you play,” Sam says, looking at the piece of paper.”

I just nod. I can’t say a word as I know they will recognize my voice.

“You have been playing nearly all your life.”

I nod again.

“Do you know all our songs?” Troy asks. I nod. “Even our old stuff?”

I nod.

“I’m kind of digging the silent thing,” Troy says to Sam. I roll my eyes. Of course he would try and hit on me.

I am a walking vagina to him.

“Play ‘Darkened Soul’,” Nate yells out.

My eyes go straight to him and his eyes bore into mine. I nod, grabbing the guitar near me that’s plugged in. I check the strings, making sure it’s tuned in. I can feel my fingers trembling.

I need to calm down.

Taking one deep breath, I strum my fingers over the strings, hearing the notes echo around the room. I close my eyes and play the song that was on their first album. I was there when they rehearsed this song in my garage back at my childhood home.

I know this song inside and out. Few seconds into it, I forget everything. It’s just me and the music. My fingers have a mind of their own and just play like they’re possessed.

When I strum the last note, I open my eyes to the band and they are all watching me intently, but they don’t show any emotion.

Was I bad?

I thought I played it all right.

“Play ‘Without You’,” Tegan shouts, crossing her arms. I know why she chose this song. The song is fast. There is a solo part for the guitarist. You have to have really fast fingers to keep up.

I give her a nod, tuning the strings and once again I just play.

They can throw every song at me, but I know each one like the back of my hand. I can’t help but smile when I get to the solo part of the song as I like watching my fingers dance along the fretboard of the guitar. When I am finished, I can feel my heart hammering in my chest.

Adrenaline rush.

I look at Tegan and she doesn’t look pleased. She doesn’t like competition. Growing up with her, I know she liked to be number one when it came to music. I didn’t want to compete with her, so I played when she wasn’t around.

I learned their songs until I knew every song, every lyric, every beat.

“Fucking hell, girl, you can play.” Troy stands up with Sam as they both clap and cheer, and the smile on my face gets bigger.

“She was all right,” Tegan says, rolling her eyes, acting like she’s bored.

“She was more than all right. She is amazing,” Sam says before sitting back down.

“You are a girl, right?” Troy asks. I nod. “Just checking.” He looks at Nate. “What do you think, man? I think she will be great.”

“In your bed, you mean,” Tegan spits out.

“Jealous that she’s just as good as you, if not better?” Troy spits back.