Destroyed (Lost in Oblivion, #3)(52)

It was the first time she’d felt any fire for music in so long, she just wanted a little more time with it. Before she had to find another audition for another symphony. Until she had to go back to what she’d been trained for.

She wanted to try something different, dammit.

Hadn’t known that was exactly what she wanted until it had been dangled in front of her.

Nick turned on his heel and tore down the stairs to the pavilion and to the back of the house before disappearing on the upper paths that led to the lawn seats.

Margo pushed her hair back and turned to the rest of the band. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry.” Jazz came forward and grabbed her hand under the sleeve and twisted her fingers around Margo’s. “You really feel that way?”

Margo nodded.

Lila tucked her iPad back into her shoulder bag. “All right then. Get your gear situated. I need to go talk with Donovan for a few.”

“Well, I’m excited,” Jazz said. “This could be amazing.” She let Margo’s hand go and headed for her kit.

Gray smiled at Margo and hooked his arm around Jazz’s shoulder.

Deacon rubbed his huge hands together. “Did you bring all those instruments with you?”

“I did.”

“Awesome.” He linked his fingers with Harper. “I’m going to go do some research and be back in a few.”

And then there was Simon.

“Pretty passionate about joining a rock and roll band on tour there, Violin Girl.”

She stuffed down her pride and her instinct to hold things inside her. “I love this album. From the first song, I knew it was something special. And if it’s just those three songs that I’m a part of, I’m good with that. Disappointed at a lost opportunity, but proud of what I was a part of. But playing them live just…”

“I get it.”

“I never did until now. I love music, but I haven’t been in love with it for a very long time.”

Simon dragged his knuckle down her forearm before he stepped back. “Then what are we waiting for?”

She tucked her hands into the opposite opening of each sleeve and gripped her wrists. “I won’t stay if you’re not good with this.”

“Since when did you ask me?”

“Since this isn’t just a one-time thing.”

“Does that cover other aspects of what we do together?”

“Do you want it to?” God, her voice sounded shaky.

“Do we burn out or just fade away?” Simon asked with a smirk.

“I vote for burn out.”

His blue eyes widened. “Is that right?”

Margo looked around but they were as alone as they’d ever be. “What if I said I want the full tour experience?”

His eyebrow winged up. “What exactly does your backstage pass include?”

“Everything.”

“Oh, babe. You should never make that kind of blanket statement.”

Margo’s heart pounded in her ears, and in lower parts of her that only Simon seemed to engage. She swallowed. “An all-access pass. But when you’re with me, it’s just me, Simon.”

His gaze drifted to her mouth. “With that kind of bountiful offer, why would I want anyone else?”

“Good.”

His eyes bore into hers. “I hope you know what you’re in for.”

“No clue. That’s the best part.” She turned around before she could claw a new design into her forearms under her sweater. She had to go through her instruments and make sure they were tuned.

An hour later, she had a trunk for her gear set on the right side of the stage. Her latest acquisition, a Starfish cello, had been a gamble. As an instrument itself, it was gorgeous, but the electric cello wasn’t exactly huge in the studio. It would sound amazing onstage, though, and Lila’s advance had lured her into making a special request for it at one of the dealers she used.

She unlocked the case and pulled out the fragile-looking instrument. The open curves of the tulipwood frame made it much easier to manage than an acoustic cello.

The vibrant green and purple color was as edgy as a cello could look. It had been ordered by a band in Germany, but they’d defaulted on the payments. Their loss was her gain.

“Sweet shit. What is that?”

She looked down at Gray as he crouched in front of her.

“Electric cello.”

“Seriously?”

“Same company that makes my violin. She’s gorgeous, isn’t she?”

“Fuck yeah.” His storm cloud-colored eyes widened. “Sorry.”

“I said pretty much the same in my head when I saw it.”

He grinned. “That’s gonna be so cool. Can you give me a little taste of the sound?”

She shook out a cord and plugged it into the amp she’d been assigned. She pulled out her long bow and tucked the cello against her shoulder. After a quick tune, she drew her bow over the strings until the deep tones echoed into the amphitheater.

She didn’t look up. Didn’t want to see if it was boredom or indifference on their faces.

She closed her eyes and let the instrument breathe. The notes resonated with sadness for a turn through an adapted opening of “Finally” from the new album.