He raised an eyebrow. “And yet you picked up my guitar at a party and played one of my songs like you had written it yourself.”

I covered my face with my hands and groaned. “I knew you’d bring that up eventually.”

“Hey, I’m flattered. Besides, it worked out in the end.” He trailed a finger across my arm, his touch soft, making me shiver. “I saw the real you that night, and just now I saw her again. That’s the trick. When you’re on stage, play like you do when you think no one’s watching.”

I dropped my hands to stare up at his face, so close to mine I could smell the shampoo he’d used. I wanted to kiss him so badly my body ached with it. It wasn’t just how his hair was still wet, framing his blue eyes and dark lashes, or the way the tattoos on his arms stood out against his otherwise flawless skin or how his voice made me forget everything but him. It was the Jared I discovered every time we were alone together, the one who somehow found the real me and set her free.

His hand cupped my face and his head dipped lower, lightly brushing his lips across mine. Little warning lights flashed in my head. What was I doing, lying on a bed with Jared, about to kiss him? This couldn’t happen. Not only because of what Dan had said about the producers and the show, but because I knew if I fell for Jared, I might never recover.

I pressed a hand against his chest. “I’m sorry. I have to go, um, to dinner. With my friends. Right now.”

He stared at me while I jumped up and stuffed my guitar back into the case. “Maddie—”

“I’ll see you tomorrow.” I ran for the door before he could even get up.

Once outside the elevator, I pushed the button a hundred times until it arrived. Only when I stepped inside and the door shut did I allow myself to relax. That had been way too close. Kissing Jared could only lead to heartbreak, and it would ruin everything with the band and with the show. But how was I supposed to resist him for another three weeks?

CHAPTER TWELVE

The crowd screamed as the lights went up and the four mentors walked to their seats, waving at the audience. Ray Carter appeared on stage, his black hair shining, and he flashed a big smile.

“Welcome to The Sound! This is the first live show, and tonight’s theme is ‘Sick of It All.’ Starting now, your votes will determine who stays and who goes, and ultimately, who wins The Sound. We have some amazing performances lined up, so let’s get started! But first, let’s talk to the mentors about their bands and what they’re hoping to see from them.”