More Than Music (Chasing The Dream, #1)(2)
When Jared leaned into the mic and sang, his smooth voice washed over me like a soft caress. It was like the last, decadent bite of a chocolate-covered strawberry. The smoky burn of whiskey as it slipped down your throat. The final night of passion before your lover left forever. I sang along to the words, feeling each line strike me deep inside. I understood exactly what he was saying, like he’d written every word just for me, like somehow he understood me in a way no one else did. Of course, every other girl in the club probably felt the same way I did. And a few guys, too.
I tore my gaze from Jared to watch the rest of the band. Hector was a blur as his muscular arms flew across the drums. Becca swayed while she played bass, her movements sluggish and her eyes half-closed like she could barely keep herself awake. Lately Kyle had been complaining about how she kept coming to rehearsals wasted, but I couldn’t believe she’d do that tonight, not for their biggest performance ever.
Kyle was bent over his keyboard, head bobbing along while he played, and I loved seeing him in his element. We’d met as freshmen, and since we were both music majors who played piano, we always ended up in a lot of the same classes. We didn’t hang out much outside of school or anything, but whenever we had a group project or a duet to perform we always paired up. Over the years, we’d bonded over a shared love of movie scores, superheroes, and other geeky stuff, even though he was covered in tattoos and never wore anything other than black and I thought staying up past eleven was living on the edge. Somehow we’d just clicked—but never in a romantic way.
The song ended, and the audience cheered. Jared flashed the crowd a smile full of dark promises. “Thank you,” he said. “We’re Villain Complex.”
Julie whistled loudly beside me, and Carla covered her ears from the piercing sound. I blinked at them, coming out of a fog. I’d been so lost in the music I’d completely forgotten my friends were with me.
“They’re so good!” Carla yelled.
“And the guys are so hot!” Julie added.
“I told you!” I shouted back at them. And then the next song started and I was swept away, falling under Jared’s spell again.
Villain Complex had won the UCLA vs USC Battle of the Bands a month ago, securing the win for UCLA and making Kyle an instant celebrity around campus. Before that they’d only done a handful of small gigs and parties, playing both covers and songs from their own self-produced album. They were so talented it was only a matter of time until they really took off, and I’d be able to say I knew them before they were famous.
When the show ended, most of the audience crushed toward the exit like a herd of sheep. I was one of the few people crazy enough to move against the crowd and head for the stage, losing Julie and Carla somewhere in the fray. I finally made it to the front, next to a bunch of groupies gazing at Jared while he bent over to unplug something. I struggled not to stare along with them, but was saved when Kyle spotted me.
“Maddie, you came!” He jumped off the stage and grabbed me in a hug.
“I wouldn’t miss it for anything. You were amazing!”
“Yeah?” He brushed hair away from his face, the tattoos on his fingers spelling out LIVE LOUD. “I was so nervous. You have no idea.”
“It was a great show. Seriously. I was impressed.”
“Thanks. That means a lot, coming from you.” His face broke out into a grin. “Hey, I didn’t get a chance to tell you the news. We have a live audition for The Sound on Friday!”
“What? No freaking way!” The Sound was a reality TV show where different rock bands competed against each other while being mentored by a famous musician. The winning band got a recording contract with a major label, and the top four bands were sent on tour together across the country. Plus, the show had millions of viewers, so even the bands that didn’t win picked up a ton of new fans just from being on it.
“I know. Crazy, right?” He laughed like he couldn’t believe it himself. “Jared sent in a video of us performing, plus MP3s of all our songs and a bunch of other shit. I didn’t think anything would happen with it, but yesterday a producer called out of the blue and invited us to come on the show to audition.”
“Wow, this is huge! I’m so happy for you.” I gave him another hug and meant every word I said—but I was prickling with a touch of envy, too. I wanted Kyle and his band to win, of course. And it’s not like I wanted to go on The Sound or anything, hell no. It’s just that, for once in my life, I’d like to do something bold like that, too. No more standing in the crowd and cheering for others, no more hiding in an orchestra or behind a piano, but on stage, living the dream out loud and in front. But that wasn’t me.
A girl with hair the color of fruit punch slammed against Kyle, wrapping her inked arms around him. They kissed for the longest, most awkward moment ever while I stood next to them like a creepy voyeur. Finally they remembered I was there and broke away, grinning like two beautiful misfits in love.
“Hey, Maddie!” Alexis said with a big smile. “Wasn’t Kyle incredible up there?”
“He really was,” I agreed.
“I’m so proud of you, babe.” She kissed his cheek, and he smiled at her like he was the luckiest guy in the world. They’d been high school sweethearts but had broken up when she’d gone to Princeton. Now that she’d transferred to USC, they’d reconnected at the Battle of the Bands and had been inseparable ever since.