That was a slight exaggeration, making it sound like I’d been anxious before multiple events, when in truth there had only been one time I could think of when I’d gotten a case of nerves. It was right before my first major performance at junior prom with my band at the time, the Washington Wildcats…God, that name. I’d tried to be fine, but I’d been antsy, chewing on my fingernails, bouncing on my toes, swallowing about ten thousand times in a row. My stomach had been doing a really weird churning thing; before that night it was something I’d only ever experienced when I’d known my dad was mad at me. I’d hated feeling that way right before doing something I loved, but I hadn’t known how to turn it off. Denny was the one who’d helped me through it. Hand on my shoulder, he’d told me, “Relax, mate. You have a gift. The only thing you should be worrying about right now is whether or not the rest of your band can keep up with you. But your voice…that’s golden. You have nothing to fear about being on a stage. Ever.”

I’d instantly felt better, and after that show, I’d never again been nervous to perform. Denny’s words had just…stuck. I kind of felt bad about that moment now. I’d blown off Denny’s concern at the time, telling him I was fine, just excited, but…after everything that had happened between us recently, I kind of wished I’d told him just how much I’d needed to hear that, how much it meant that he’d said it.

How strange that the comfort I’d just given Kiera had, in a way, come from Denny. Good or bad, he’s forever linked to both of us.

As Kiera bunched her brows together, I let that memory fade into the background of my brain. “Let me guess,” she said with a smirk. “You picture the crowd naked now?”

I laughed as I stood up. Amused by her comment, and not wanting to talk about Denny again, I didn’t bother telling her the real story. “Nah, I had to stop doing that…Turned me on,” I teased. Her answer was more entertaining than the truth anyway, and picturing everyone naked might actually help her.

“You’re impossible,” she laughed, pushing against my chest as I approached her.

My grin grew as she rolled her eyes. “We all have our weaknesses.” Slipping around behind her, I pulled her tight. “You will be great, and I’ll drive you every day if you want. Maybe I’ll sit in on a class or two.”