C-Flat to C-Sharp (PR Girls & Instalove 3)

“Still,” Brynn said, “If he’s right next door, just pop by for a split second.”

Nodding, I stood up. “You’re probably right.”

I gave my hands a shake, as if that would drain some of my nervous energy. “I’m so afraid to be clingy that I’m terrified to get in his way now.” I didn’t want to tell them about my little meltdown last night.

“You’ll be fine,” Jenna said, giving me a push.

I walked into the next room, looking around to see the band all chatting quietly, sipping energy drinks.

“How is the bright and shiny new Cat Badness doing?” I asked, flashing my brightest smile.

Todd held up a hand to stop Ethan. “Before he jumps in and talks about how awesome you are, I just want to say thanks for really boosting this show. We’ve never played to a crowd this size, and I recognized a couple of podcasters I know when I took a peek out there.”

Ethan’s head snapped around to look at him. “Who’s here?”

“Not important,” I jumped in. “Sure, there’s a few podcasters and bloggers. But you guys are playing to the record company representatives, and the most enthusiastic fans.”

They all nodded. “Thanks, Mom,” Rob joked.

Ethan jumped up, dragging me out into the hallway by the elbow as he muttered, “I forgot to ask you about…” The second we were around the corner, he spun me against the wall, kissing me with such indescribable hunger that my knees wobbled.

“I’m going to thank you for everything later,” he said, skimming his lips along my cheekbone. “I’m going to tell you how unfathomably beautiful you are, and how lucky I am to have you in my life.”

His kisses turned a corner at my ear, slipping down my throat until I whimpered.

“Not here,” I hissed.

“I know.” His boyish grin was so handsome that I still couldn’t quite believe he was real. “Corina, I love you.”

Looking deeply into his eyes, there was something strange there. Maybe it was the adrenaline of pre-show nerves, but something seemed a bit desperate.

“And I love you,” I said, holding his face between my hands as I kissed him gently. “I also love the outfit you picked. But I’m going to stay out of your way now, so that I don’t I don’t mess with your energy. All right?”

“You are fabulous for my energy,” he laughed.

“Still, you likely have pre-show routines and things.”

“I set up chairs at the side of the stage at soundcheck for you and your friends,” he said.

“I wondered about those. Is that what they were for?”

“Yes. You mentioned they were coming, and I want you right beside me. Is that okay?”

I laughed. “Brynn is going to flip out. Thank you.”

He kissed me again, then darted back inside their green room. Glancing inside, I saw him go into the washroom, as the other band members shared a look.

“How do you think he’s holding up?” Todd asked.

Rob shrugged. “Pretty well, given the circumstances.”

Skippy laughed lightly. “Our boy doesn’t give a

damn that there’s four times the record execs that we would have expected, plus a ton of media. He’s only concerned about–”

“Silence,” Rob hissed.

Ducking back into the hallway, I hadn’t meant to eavesdrop, but now I was nervous as well. I’d tried to do everything I could to make things easy for Ethan. What could I have missed?