“Yeah?” He continued stretching, trying to ignore the title Mr. Stone.
“Your family is here, sir.”
“Perfect.” He jumped to his feet and clapped the man on the shoulder. “But I’m nobody’s sir. Show me to the gaggle of girls who look like me.”
The man turned without a word, and Drew followed him through the bowels of the arena to his dressing room. Piper must have brought them here.
Drew brushed past the guard and pushed the door open. Screaming assaulted him as Lizzy sprinted across the room followed by Penny. They barreled into him, almost knocking him over.
Drew laughed as he caught his youngest sisters in a hug.
Piper crossed toward them and nodded to the security guard. “You can go. We’ll give them some privacy.” She followed him out.
His mom came next, a smile on her face. “I like that assistant of yours.”
“Me too, Ma.” He pressed a kiss to her cheek before lifting Lizzy off the ground and holding her with one arm. “You miss me, Lizard?”
She wrapped her arms around his neck. “Not really.”
“Liar.” He tickled her, eliciting a squeal, before putting her down and turning to his dad. “Hey, Dad.”
His dad put a hand on each of his shoulders and looked him straight in the eye. “How are you, son?”
“I’m good.” Most days. Other days, he wasn’t sure what he was. But no parent wanted to hear that. “Real good.” A grin slid across his face, and it even felt fake.
His dad’s brow furrowed like he could see beyond the grin, but he released Drew with a pat on the shoulder. “Glad to hear it.”
Drew crossed the room to where Nora hadn’t moved from the white leather couch.
She looked up at him, one eyebrow raised. “Sup?”
Other than Asher, Nora had always known Drew better than their other siblings. In part because their time at home with their parents overlapped. He was there for her first words, her first steps. He taught her how to skate, to shoot a puck.
Seeing her reminded him he was home. She brushed golden hair behind her ears, a slow smile spreading across her face. Their stand-off was only an act, her aloofness an illusion. He knew she missed him just as much as he missed her.
Lowering himself to the couch beside her, he draped an arm over her shoulders. She didn’t move for a moment before curling against him. He hugged her to him, not wanting to let go.
Goodbyes were a part of his life now. He never stayed in one place for long. Sure, he owned a home in Gulf City, but every time he went home, he knew it would have to end, that his life was elsewhere now.
“I missed you,” Nora whispered.
He kissed the top of her head. “You’re a teenager; I don’t think you’re supposed to admit you care about anything.”
She laughed and lifted her head. Nora was most like the boy he used to be. She played on the Gulf City hockey team as one of the few girls and spent her free time listening to music. There wasn’t a defiant teenage bone in her body. She was all sweetness and little sass.
Unlike their brother. “Where’s Ash?” He’d sent tickets for all of them.
His mom perched on the arm of the couch. “He’s already in our seats. I’m sorry, Drew. We tried to get him to come backstage but that boy…”
“I know.” Asher had changed in recent years. Drew couldn’t fix the fact he wanted nothing to do with his older brother. “It’s okay, Ma. I’m glad you guys are here.”
Lizzy jumped onto his lap. “Lola came with us. They’re probably too busy smooching.”
“Elizabeth Ann!” Their dad tried to cover up a laugh with exasperation. It didn’t work.
Drew chuckled. “So, Ashy is dating his oldest friend?” He remembered Lola from when she was nothing more than a kid running around with his brother.
“No.” Their mom shot Lizzy a disapproving look. “Asher and Lola are just friends.”
“But they’re totally getting married one day.” Nora grinned. “Then, she can be our sister too.”
Penny nodded in agreement. “They love each other. They’re just too oblivious to smooch.”
“What does a twelve year old know about smooching?” Nora crossed her arms.
Drew pulled back to look down at her. “You better not know much about smooching either.”
“I’m seventeen, Drew.”
Drew’s jaw clenched.
“Smooching!” Lizzy yelled.
“Uh.” Piper stood in the now open doorway. Drew didn’t know when she’d gotten there. He was used to his family’s crazy, but he wondered how many people had heard Lizzy yelling.
Standing with a laugh, he lifted Lizzy with him and set her on the floor. “What’s up, Pipes?”
She looked down at her clipboard, her cheeks reddened. “The opener just went on. You’re up next.” She looked up to catch his eye. “Noah wanted me to remind you not to go over your time.”
He grinned. “No, he didn’t. Noah wouldn’t care. That comes from Jo, but she thought it would sound better coming from Noah. Well, let her know I’m more likely to listen to her than him, anyway.”
“Why, Drew?” Lizzy slipped her hand into his.
He bent down to whisper into his sister’s ear. “She scares me.”
Lizzy giggled.
Drew turned back to his family. “Piper can escort you guys out to your seats. Tell Ash… just tell him I asked about him, okay?”
His dad put a hand on his arm. “We will.”
They filed out, and Drew watched them go before shutting the door to his dressing room and following a security guard back to where his dancers were now warmed up and ready to go.
He bent for some last minute stretches as he waited to prove to his parents that all his sacrifices were worth it.
Because each time he stepped out on stage, he had to prove it to himself.
4
Lola
The opening act was good.
Drew Stone would be better.
Lola hadn’t been able to sleep last night in anticipation of seeing him up close on stage. Their seats were in the second row, so close they’d be able to see the sweat glistening on his skin.
But she couldn’t react. She couldn’t cheer or sing along to the songs she knew by heart. Not while Asher sat stewing silently beside her. He didn’t want to be there, but more importantly, he didn’t want her to be there with him.
Because this, her fandom, wasn’t something he could control. He couldn’t make her stop idolizing his brother, and if she knew Asher, that infuriated him.
It was times like these she did everything she could to turn off the thoughts in her mind that wanted to reach out to him, the small part of her she worried would never be free of these feelings. She wasn’t an idiot. Asher Stone wasn’t someone she should love, not like that. He cared little for anyone else’s feelings, was a major control freak, and could be callous in his own desires.
She wanted to hate him despite their history together, but if she didn’t have Asher, what would she have? A college path she hated? A job she didn’t want?
A mom who was never around?
And Asher knew it. He knew she’d never let him go. There was a time he was different, and she clung to the sweet childhood friend she’d revered.
Her leg bounced in time with the beat as the crowd stood around them, swaying to the music.
“People in the front row shouldn’t stand,” Asher grumbled. “It’s rude.”
“You know, we could stand.”
He shot her his patented ‘don’t be stupid’ look.
By the time the rest of the Stone family joined them, it was a welcome break. Nora slid into the seat on Lola’s other side and flashed her a grin.
The woman—she couldn’t remember her name—finished her final song and grinned at the audience. “Thank you, Tampa. You’ve been wonderful.” The crowd cheered. “Now, I know you aren’t all here to see me. Two major acts follow mine, and I know you’re really here for D
rew Stone! He’ll be out shortly.”
The crowd waited restlessly for about ten minutes or so as the dark-clad crew raced across the stage. Finally, the lights dimmed and shadows ran out, taking up positions as the crowd chanted Drew’s name. Lola scooted forward on her seat, her hands gripping the arms while she tried to see Drew.
The music started first, a familiar beat Lola could have hummed in her sleep. It was one of Drew’s earliest songs, a crowd favorite. The people surrounding them jumped to their feet as the lights flashed a rainbow of colors, revealing the dancers crowded onto the stage.
Drew emerged from them as he picked up the first line of the song. The dancers stood frozen behind him, letting his voice lift to the rafters until the beat picked up.
The back row of dancers started moving, their steps perfectly timed, before the next row started until they reached the front where a lone woman showcased her skills.
Leah Baker. Lola had read about her. Drew’s concerts featured a whole host of dancers, but only one ever danced with him. She led them all like a maestro directing her orchestra.
She seemed to float across the stage until she reached Drew. He reached out a hand and spun her toward him.
The crowd erupted as their dance kicked up.
This was what she’d imagined a Drew Stone concert was like, why she’d pored over YouTube videos. The dancing spoke to her, it entranced her. Watching Drew and Leah on stage called to the dreams she’d made herself forget.
“Come on, Lola!” Nora yelled as she jumped to her feet to dance along, pride glowing on her face. She reached down to pull Lola up.
Asher’s tense posture beside her no longer mattered. He couldn’t keep her from enjoying a show unlike any other, for appreciating the athleticism and talent it took to stand on that stage.
The other dancers didn’t hold a candle to Leah and Drew and the connection that was so obvious between them. They’d been dancing together for years, and it showed. But his voice… deep, much deeper than anyone would expect. It made the hairs on Lola’s arms stand on end.
Nora screamed at the top of her lungs, and Lola joined in, forgetting about everything else except this moment and the pure joy of living in this music.
By the time the song ended, Drew was already panting. But she knew from articles about him that he was tireless. He could dance for hours.
He walked to the front of the stage, a grin on his handsome face. Running a hand through his blond hair, he laughed. “Boy, it is good to be home.”
The crowd screamed.
“I grew up just north of here in Gulf City, and I’ve got to admit, I’m a little nervous tonight. My parents are in the crowd along with my three sisters and my brother.”
His eyes found their seats, and Lola sucked in a breath, unable to take her eyes from him. On a basic level, she knew his gaze was for his family who surrounded her, but still, the look burrowed into her, and she couldn’t move.
A section of the crowd yelling “We love you, Drew!” seemed to snap him out of a momentary daze, and he tore his eyes away.
“I love you too.” He chuckled. “So, why don’t we show my family just what we can do?”
The crowd yelled their approval.
“This one is for my sisters. I’m just a small-town Florida kid who somehow ended up on this stage. Living proof that anything is possible.” He smiled in their direction.
Stepping back, he dropped his chin to his chest. Leah joined him. Their moves started slow, matching the rhythm of the song as Drew sang. His words picked up momentum and so did the dance steps.
“Lola,” Asher called. “Sit down.”
“Not a chance.” She bumped hips with Nora. This was what she missed when Asher wanted to hang at her empty house instead of his full one. Lizzy stood on her chair, her arms in the air while Penny danced in a circle, singing the words along with her brother.
More than anything, Lola wanted to be one of them, to have siblings, people who’d back her up.
Anyone who’d tell her Asher wasn’t good for her. That the boy he’d been was not the one now.
She looked down at him, noting the stubborn set to his jaw, his arms crossed over his chest. “Ash, enjoy the concert.” No matter how he’d changed, she wasn’t yet ready to give up on him.
He didn’t respond.
“Ash.” She dropped into her seat. “You’re acting like a child.”
His eyes widened, and she didn’t blame him for the shock. It wasn’t like her to say things like that to him. Normally, she did everything she could to make things easy for him. But now, as she looked into his angry eyes, she didn’t know why.
Asher shot to his feet. “I’m going to get a drink. I’ll be back when Noah Clarke is on. Are you coming?”
She looked to the stage as a new song started and then back to Asher. “No, I want to see this.”
He stormed away, pushing through the row of seats. Lola watched him go. When she turned back around, she found Mrs. Stone watching her youngest son as well, a note of sadness in her gaze. Their eyes connected in understanding. Both of them cared about Asher, but they’d seen the changes in recent years, the way he refused anything having to do with Drew.
Mrs. Stone slid into Asher’s empty spot and wrapped an arm around Lola’s shoulders. “He’ll come around.”
Lola wasn’t so sure he would.
But tonight couldn’t be about Asher, not when his brother commanded the stage, his body entrancing an arena full of people with its fluidity, its grace.
For a once-hockey player, a guy rippling with muscles, Drew moved with a surprising agility.
He was famous for his music, but it was his dancing she couldn’t tear her eyes from.
They say you can sometimes see a fall coming steps before it happens, but Lola didn’t think that was true. If it was, maybe they would have foreseen what happened next.
Drew dragged Leah to him, the two of them moving in sync as their bodies pressed against each other. She danced away from him, and he chased her.
It was almost a play within a dance, steps meant to mimic the meaning of the song. A love story. Losing love. Chasing after it.
Drew’s shirt hung open, revealing a thin tank that was almost sheer, highlighting the muscles along his chest.
Lola stood on her toes to get a better look.
Mr. Stone lifted Lizzy onto his shoulders so she could see the brother she idolized.
Nora and Lola danced together, their excitement shared.
One moment, this concert held a promise of hours of joy.
The next, it was like everything slowed.
She saw it happen before her mind could register it. Leah Baker’s scream echoed through Drew’s mic, and his words faltered before ceasing altogether.
Leah’s legs collapsed beneath her, and everything stopped.
5
Drew
The worst moment of Drew’s career was the day his first single bombed. The rollout failed so spectacularly the label considered pulling the entire album.
They didn’t, but he’d almost lost everything before he even had it.
But this… this was worse.
His best friend’s scream echoed in his mind as the music faded and the sounds of the crowd pushed in on them. He dropped to the stage beside Leah. “What’s wrong? What happened?”
Tears or sweat—he didn’t know which—glistened on her face. “It hurts, Drew.”
“What hurts? Talk to me.”
“My leg. I don’t know what’s wrong. One moment I was fine and the next, it felt like a knife stabbing through my shin.” She reached for her leg. “It’s probably a muscle cramp. I can rub it out and finish the concert.”
He pulled her onto his lap. “You are not dancing again tonight. It’s going to be okay. I’m going to take care of you.”
Dancers crowded in on them, trying to see what happened, but Drew paid them no mind. He gathered Leah’s small body in his arms and stood. Catching sight of Piper off to the side
of the stage, he rushed toward her. “We need an ambulance.”
“Drew, calm down.” Piper fixed her eyes on Leah. “You okay?”
“I think so. Just… pain. Drew is overreacting though.”
“I’m not overreacting. You just collapsed on stage.”
“Bring her to your dressing room. I called for an ambulance; we can wait there.”
Drew hurried toward his dressing room where he laid Leah down on the couch. “She needs ice or heat or something.”
“Not until we know what’s wrong,” Leah wheezed. “You’re a dancer, Drew. You should know that. Maybe I twisted something or broke something. I won’t know until they check me out, and we shouldn’t touch it.”
“Fine.” He pushed out a breath and ran a hand through his hair.
“Drew?” Leah met his gaze. “All these people… they paid to see you sing. You should finish the concert.”
“No way.” His eyes widened as if the very thought horrified him.
“Come on, Drew. I’m going to be fine. There’s nothing you can do for me right now. I love you for not wanting to leave my side, but you have a duty to your fans.”
“Noah can go on early. Jo will like that.”
She shook her head. “They’re not you. You’re special, Drew, and the people of Tampa should get to see that.”
“She’s right.” Piper looked to him. “It’s your concert, Drew. Go finish it. I promise, I won’t leave her alone.”
“You really want me to do this?” How could he dance when he’d just seen his rock crumble?
Both Leah and Piper nodded.
“Call it my dying wish.” Leah smirked.
“You’re not dying. Don’t even joke about it.”
She laughed before wincing. “Tough crowd. Just go. Sing. Be you.”
Drew closed his eyes for a brief moment, wishing for once he was a normal human being who could go to the hospital with his friend instead of entertaining thousands of people. “Fine.” He looked to Piper once more. “Call Amy. Get her on a plane out here. Leah will be too stubborn to do it herself. She won’t want her girlfriend to worry.”
Love is a Dance Step (Rockstars Anonymous) Page 3
