The Hazards of Sex on the Beach(25)

My phone rang as soon as I got back to my room after catching up with a  few of my sisters. I answered right away when I saw it was Jade. "Hey."

"Hey! How are you?"

"In terms of the Aaron stuff or the Chase stuff?"

"Wait, what Chase stuff? I only heard about Aaron going psycho."

"Chase drove down here to see me."

"Seriously?" Her voice lilted. "That was really sweet. What did you guys do?"

"I'll leave that to your imagination."         

     



 

"Okay. Point taken. Are you doing all right about the other part?" She  avoided using his name again, and I appreciated it. Hearing it still  sent a stab through me. I wondered if I'd feel that way every time I met  someone with his name. Hopefully it would eventually fade. "What are  you up to today?"

"Class, lunch with the roomies, and class. No plans for tonight."

"How about a show? It's another small venue one. It's more electronic this time, but I think you'll like it."

I didn't hesitate with my answer. Another show with Jade sounded perfect. "Absolutely. Want to do dinner beforehand?"

"Yes! I already need a break from school food."

"I hear you there. Want to meet me at the house at seven?"

"Yes. I'll be there."

"Great, have a good day." I hung up with a grin. I wasn't wasting any time jumping into my keeping busy plan.

Before leaving for my class, I sent Chase a text. Going to a show with Jade tonight. I might be late.

I knew he was stopping by to see Riley before he left town, so I didn't  expect an immediate answer. I got one. Can I tell you how awesome you  are?

Sure. You remember what flattery got you last time.

Oh, Cara. You're killing me. Any chance I can get a quickie before I leave?

As tempting as it sounded, if he was being serious of course, I couldn't  go through the goodbye again. Let's leave this visit with that shower.  Nothing can beat that.

Fine, be that way.

Remember I'm awesome.

That you are. Miss you already. What show are you seeing?

I forgot to ask. Something electronic I think.

Maddox Trance? He's doing a show at the Tin Oak tonight I think.

Maybe.

If it's him, tell Maddox I said hi.

A friend of yours? Was Maddox Trance someone's actual name?

Yes …  let me know if that's who you're seeing. If so, he could be good for Jade's show.

Oh, great! I'll ask Jade. Have a safe trip.

Have a fantastic day. I'll be thinking about you.

I pocketed my phone and headed out to class. The sun was shining, I'd  had an amazing night with Chase, and I had a fun night planned with a  friend. Things were going to be okay.

***



"I've got some exciting news for you." I practically skipped out on the  porch to meet Jade. I was still flying high. Kyle had seemed completely  better in class, so even that guilt was starting to lessen.

"Exciting news, huh?"

"It turns out Chase is friends with Maddox Trance, and supposedly when  we stop to get tickets, if we tell them who we are, they'll get us  backstage."

"What!" She jumped up and down. "That's awesome."

"Chase thought this would give you a chance to talk to him about the show."

"Awesome! Hopefully, Maddox is the type who stays up so late that five a.m. isn't a problem."

I laughed. "Chase seemed confident Maddox would be cooperative. Whatever that means."

"Even if he says no to doing the show, meeting him will be cool."

I had never heard Maddox's music, but I took Jade's word that he was good.

The night was warm, and we both dressed comfortably in jeans and  sneakers, so we decided to walk over to the Tin Oak for the show.

"Without going into details, what was your night with Chase like? How are you feeling about everything right now?"

"It was good." My body warmed thinking about the hours we spent together. "Almost too good."

"Too good?"

"I mean I miss him already, and I keep waiting for the other shoe to  drop. Why is he so determined to be with me? I mean, he can't stay  interested forever."

"Why not? You're gorgeous, smart, and funny. What more would he want?"

"He doesn't seem to care that we don't have much in common, but maybe he will eventually."

"What do you mean you don't have much in common? Just because you're not into music?"

"Partly. I mean his show was the first one I'd been to that wasn't in a  giant stadium, and even then I've only been to a handful."

"And this is your second in a few weeks. You were excited to come. That should tell you something."

"Yeah. You're right." I'd been listening to more music than I had in my  life. Admittedly, it was mostly Chance of a Lifetime so I could hear  Chase's voice, but still it counted for something.

"Of course I am." She pushed the button so we could cross at the cross walk. "Now we just have to find me a hot musician."

"You mean you aren't holding out for Len?"         

     



 

She shook her head. "He's a nice guy, but I'm not the one night stand  type. He figured that out-and he's actually texted me a few times with  stupid pictures. I get the sense he wants to be friends."

"Well, that's cool. I mean you're so into music, being friends with a guy like that could be fun."

"And he's funny. We can all use guy friends. Like you have Kyle."

"Yeah. Although that's still pretty recent. I feel horrible about his nose."

"He's loving the bragging rights. He's a really nice guy."

"I know. He mentioned you two know each other."

"Yeah, and he's going to be taking over as the student manager at the station next year."

"Really? But he's only going to be a junior."

"It's pretty much unprecedented, but I'm glad it's him. He'll do a good job."

"And give you a better time slot next year."

"He better."

There was no line outside this time, so we went right up to the desk.  "Two tickets please, and my name is supposedly on a list to let us  backstage."

"What's your name?" The guy looked up.

"Cara Winters."

"Oh yeah. Right here, and is this Jade Cambridge?"

She nodded.

"Great. Put your wallet away, your tickets are free. Enjoy the show."

Jade and I exchanged looks. "Thanks."

"No problem." The guy gave us a long look before handing us what looked  like bright green business cards with our names on it. "Nice to meet  you, Cara and Jade."

"These get us backstage?" I asked.

"What were you expecting?"

"Nothing." I followed Jade in.

"Not the backstage passes you imagined." Jade bumped her shoulder into mine.

"Not exactly, but at least it's a pretty color."

Jade laughed. "See, I bet that's part of what Chase sees in you."

"What, my fabulous sense of humor?"

"Exactly."

A small crowd congregated by the bar, and a few others stood in groups  of three and four in the main area of the room. We were early, but I  hoped for the band's sake that more people showed up. Jade seemed  unconcerned as we made our way to the stage.

There was no one blocking our entrance to the stage. No one asked to see  our shining green cards either. Instead, we just walked back like it  was something we did all the time. I guess it was our second time  backstage recently.

The backstage area was dimly lit, and we walked slowly along toward the  sound of voices. Finally, we came to a small room with faded walls, a  worn out couch, and a folding table with bottled water. The couch was  filled with four people, two guys and two girls.

"Can we help you?" one of the guys who couldn't have been more than my age asked. He glanced up at us with eyeliner rimmed eyes.

Since I had no idea what Maddox looked like, I let Jade handle things.

Jade strode over to a guy probably in his mid-twenties who sat on the  corner cushion of the sectional couch. "Maddox, hey. Chase Denton said  we could come back and chat with you tonight."

"Oh, hey. Which one of you is Cara?"

"That would be me." I stepped over near him.

"Nice. Chase said you were gorgeous." He held out his hand. "Maddox  Trance, nice to meet you." Maddox turned to Jade. "And you're Jade  then?"

"Yes."

"You're the one who has a radio show with Cara at Harrison?"

"Did Chase tell you about it?" Jade switched into animated mode. She  didn't seem to mind that he inferred we did the show together. She had  asked me to help, after all.

I glanced around at the others. Eyeliner guy was staring at me. "You're Chase's girl?"

Chase's girl? That was a new one. I found I liked the way it sounded-and felt. "Yes, I'm dating Chase."

"You don't look like his type."

"Maybe not his usual type." I didn't know exactly what his type was, but  I assumed it wasn't of the sorority girl variety. My clothes didn't  exactly match what his friends wore.

A girl with her blonde hair tied into pigtail braids laughed. "So,  what's Chase really like? Is he really so sweet, or is it all an act?"