Alex grabbed his towel and wiped his forehead. He gave tonight his all. That was all that mattered.
“Thank you all so much,” Jackson said, his voice reverberating through the speakers.
Bailey waved to the crowd. “Love you!”
A few crowd members dispersed, while others talked with Jackson and Bailey for their autographs. Alex chuckled. Could he get used to their growing fame? He didn’t care about the lights or the popularity. He only wanted to play the drums. His primary outlet.
Stepping away from drum set, he grabbed his energy drink and gulped it. It would exhaust him in the morning, but that only proved they had an amazing show.
“That was incredible!”
Alex recognized Tommy’s girlfriend, Noelle, as she wrapped her arms around his neck. His band mate twirled her around and kissed her a
s if they were the only two people in the world. Alex moved around them and descended the stage. First Jackson and now Tommy. Both of them had fallen in love. It would never happen for Alex.
“You were great,” a fan said.
He smiled. He needed food, so he headed for the vendors. Alex smiled at a few more faces and shook hands with others. His stomach growled. Pizza would solve his problems. He’d work off the carbs in the morning.
He listened to the pin ball machines as he stood in line. When he approached the cashier, he ordered two slices of pepperoni pizza. Once he paid, he stepped to the side and waited.
“Here you go,” the server said.
He winked at the blonde, and she giggled. Alex walked to a secluded table. He bit into the hot slice of pizza, only to have it burn his tongue. He blew out his mouth as he chewed.
“I thought nothing bothered you,” a familiar voice said.
Alex focused his attention on the curvy woman with shoulder-length brown hair. Jacqueline. He swallowed his food. “What’s up?”
She shrugged. “Nothing. I thought that was you. You look the same.”
He wiped his mouth with a napkin. “You look great. I like the haircut.”
Jacqueline ran her fingers through it. “Thanks.” She looked back at the stage. “I see your band’s taking off.”
“You pre-order our album?” he asked.
Jacqueline only stared back.
“I guess not,” he said.
“Can you blame me?” She folded her arms over her chest.
“It was a long time ago, J,” he said.
She shook her head. “You don’t get to call me that anymore.”
He sighed. “Sorry.”
“I know.”
“Is there a reason you’re here?” he asked. He didn’t want her usual drama. That’s why he called things off with her before. She should have been over it. Judging by her tight expression, Jacqueline wasn’t.
“I don’t know.” Her gaze softened. “I came over to say... congrats on your success.”
He raised an eyebrow. “You did?”
She nodded. “I don’t want to be angry anymore. You made your choice. I have to accept that.”