I felt Kiera’s hands slipping from my body. She had to be embarrassed about being caught like that. I wanted to apologize, but I suddenly realized…I could finally tell Kiera as well as finally tell the guys. I could get one of the weights off my chest with her. I could partially feel better whenever I talked to her. I could—almost—be set free.

When I turned back to face Kiera, I felt kind of…nervous. This was so monumental for me, so…unexpected. In all honesty, I was still waiting to wake up. Would telling Kiera about the record deal pop this fantasy for me, and I’d suddenly be back in my cramped cubby, wishing she was with me? Wishing I didn’t have so much to hide from her. God, I didn’t want to go back to that.

Kiera’s expression was oddly blank as I studied her. No emotion at all. The forced lack of anything in her features was worrisome. Was she upset? Why? She usually wasn’t mad when we got caught kissing. I wasn’t sure what was going on with her, but I couldn’t worry about it anymore. I wanted to tell her, I needed to tell her. I bit my lip as a weird wave of anxiety hit me. Don’t let me wake up.

“I need to tell you something…Can we talk?”

Kiera closed her eyes, like my words had somehow either hurt or angered her. She gave me a stiff nod, then abruptly turned and started walking away. What the hell? I followed in her wake as she forcefully weaved her way through people. She definitely seemed angry now. Because of the girls I’d been watching? I thought for sure she’d let that go…the way she’d been kissing me, it sure seemed like she’d let that go.

When we got somewhere a little less crowded, I grabbed her elbow, stopping her. She resisted me, and I had the weirdest feeling that if I let her go…I’d never see her again. Why is she so angry?

Confused and a little annoyed, I searched her face for clues. She stiffened, like she wanted to pull away. I wasn’t about to let her go. Not until I understood. “Hey, are you…mad at me?”

Fire was in her eyes as she raised her chin and tossed her bag off her shoulder to the ground. “No, why would I be mad?”