Dangerous Kiss (Dangerous Noise 1)

But… what… how?

The spotlight spreads until it's illuminating the entire stage. That's not just Ethan. That's all of Dangerous Noise. What the hell are they doing here?

From the mild reactions of the people here, it's safe to say no one recognizes them.

Ethan smiles as he finishes the song. He looks out at the dark room. "Thank you, I'm Ethan Strong. And we are Dangerous Garbage, the best Garbage cover band in all of Orange County. Orange County, California. I know you have one here too."

"And in Jersey," someone calls out.

"Could never forget about Jersey," Ethan says. "Let's hear it for the singer of the real Garbage, Shirley Manson, huh?"

No one applauds.

Fuck it, Shirley Manson deserves better than that. I applaud.

Then the spotlight is on me.

Joel jumps up from his drum kit to nod hello. Mal and Kit shoot me the same hellos but they stay in their places.

Ethan's eyes light up as they meet mine. "Maybe it's just me. I do have a thing for redheads who don't take shit from anyone."

Kit steps up to Ethan's mic. "Or maybe just one redhead in particular." He nods to me. "He's miserable without you."

"It's true," Ethan says. "I am miserable without you."

"Seriously, he's intolerable," Joel adds. "But I won't blame you if you want to get rid of his intolerable ass."

"You're supposed to be helping," Kit says.

"Who says I'm helping Ethan?" Joel winks at me. "I like Valentine better. Any chance you can play guitar, Valentine?"

I shake my head.

"I can teach you," Ethan says.

Athena screams.

God, this is mortifying. My cheeks are burning.

It's sweet too… but mostly mortifying.

"There's a special birthday here today. One Ms. Violet Valentine. Now, I know she hates attention, but it's her birthday. We have to embarrass her. It's tradition." He smiles. "Want to help get her up here, Athena?"

I glare at my clearly traitorous roommate.

She mouths sorry, I had to.

Ethan moves closer to the edge of the stage. His cheeks flush. He's sweating too.

He's nervous.

More nervous than before he filled in for Drew in front of four thousand people.

"Fuck, Violet, you coming up here? I don't mind going down." He stays confident despite the blush. "Joel's gonna ask if you used the sex toys he bought you soon."

Now I'm blushing. I shake my head. "Not yet."

"You've got ten seconds till I come down there," he says.