Leaving Amarillo(35)

“Wow, that’s amazing.” The high from performing still has me barely touching the ground. “Whatever you did to make that happen, thank you.”

Dallas gives us the specific time to be at rehearsal for the interview, and then bursts my hyped-up bubble by telling us we’re going to head back to the hotel so we can get plenty of sleep tonight.

Gavin and I lag a few steps behind Mandy and my brother while they discuss possible interview questions.

Leaning down until his mouth is level with my ear, he says, “Looks like we aren’t the only ones considering crossing some lines.” His arms grazes softly against mine, sending a trail of warmth sparking down it.

I glance over and see Mandy smiling her toothpaste commercial smile at my brother. Dallas is grinning and nodding and using his hands to tell her an animated story about a show we performed recently where the stage was behind a Plexiglas wall due to the fact that the patrons tended to throw things. Not necessarily the tale I’d be regaling her with if I wanted to impress her, but Dallas was so proud that we were the only act that night that didn’t have to dodge beer bottles.

I grin and return my attention to Gavin, vaguely aware that the bottom of my stomach drops out when his eyes meet mine.

“Is that all we’re doing? Considering crossing them?”

Before he answers, Dallas tells us to get a move on. The conversation remains behind us.





Chapter 13


“LICK,” I SAY WHEN HE OPENS HIS DOOR.

Gavin’s eyes widen. “What?”

“Lick,” I repeat, peering past him into the boys’ slovenly room and enjoying the way his pupils widen, an ethereal glow illuminating them as his heated eyes latch on to mine. “The ice cream place. I want to go there.”

After our show I changed into jeans and a plain white tank top because as cute as my boots were, my ankles were in serious danger of snapping. But I couldn’t just sit restlessly in my room.

Gavin checks the leather cuff that contains his watch. “Okay. Should we wait for Dallas?”

We both turn toward where he stands below us in the parking lot discussing the plans for tomorrow and the showcase with Mandy. I don’t really think my brother would actually cross any lines with her because he’s always been a business-first type. But I’m glad they have chemistry and that she’s taking us seriously.

“Um, I think he’s probably going to be busy for a while.” I send up a silent prayer that we don’t screw it up this time, that Gavin and I can manage getting dessert without turning it into an argument and ruining our plans for Friday night. “We could ask them to join us.”

Gavin calls out and asks if they want to come with us, but they wave us off.

“Don’t be out too late,” my brother cautions.

“Yes, Dad. We’ll be back by curfew,” I say before turning to smile at Mandy. “It was fantastic meeting you. I hope you enjoyed the show.”

“I did,” she says, nodding. “I’ll be here the rest of the week checking out a few bands but I’ll see you three tomorrow at the interview.”

“Sounds good,” Gavin says with an odd lilt to his voice. “You ready, Dixie?”

I nod, knowing that Gavin is probably nervous about the interview. Public speaking of any kind has never been his thing.

“Gav?” I say after a few minutes of walking in silence because the high from performing hasn’t worn off yet and I can’t just keep quiet.

He turns toward me. “Yeah?”

“Are you worried about the interview?”

He’s quiet for a long string of seconds, then he shrugs. “Nah. No reason to be. Why? Are you?”

“I just have this feeling that this is bigger than the fair, bigger than anything we’ve done before. I think things are about to change. The band, us, everything.”

He slows long enough to give me a questioning glance. “You’ve always known Dallas wanted to go to Nashville. Is that scaring you now that it seems like a real possibility?”

I shake my head. “No. I’m thrilled about that. This is my dream, too, you know. I might not pursue it as aggressively as my brother, but it is.”

Gavin nods. “I get that. It’s mine, too, I guess. I just never thought of it as a dream—more like the only thing I’m good at.”

“That’s not true,” I tell him quietly.

He shrugs. “Not all changes are good, Bluebird. You want to rethink the whole one-night thing?”

Hell no.

“Do you?”

He stares straight ahead, his profile revealing nothing as we walk. He doesn’t speak again until I feel like I’m going to scream. The tension strung tightly between us feels like it’s wrapping around my neck.

“I agreed to it. So I’d think the answer to that would be obvious.”

The relief whooshes through me and I can’t contain my smile.

He cuts his eyes to me and grins. “I’m almost nervous when you look at me like that. What have you got in store for me, little Bluebird? Some Fifty Shades fantasy you can’t wait to play out with a willing participant?”

My heart quickens its pace at his naughty suggestion. “Gavin Garrison, have you been reading mommy porn?”

He chuckles and holds the door open for me. I walk inside the vibrantly colored and brightly lit ice cream parlor and glance over my shoulder at him. Part of me feels like every moment with him is a dream, something I’m lying in bed alone and imagining, instead of an experience I’m actually living.