She ducked her head, her cheeks beyond tomato-red, and shrugged.

“That was killer, Bay.” He grinned at her and she grinned right back.

The fucking monster in my chest got shoved deep down. She deserved her chance to shine.

“Guys, did you get it?”

“We got it, Maddy, and you won’t believe who can sing.”

Maddy’s head tilted and she nodded and scribbled on her tablet with her stylus. “Filing that away. Since you guys are done, we need to head out. We’ll be back tomorrow. Freddy, thank you as always.”

“Anytime, Madison.”

“And, Bay, we’ll see you tomorrow?”

Bay looked to me with her mouth hung open. “Of course.”

On the drive back, I was more amped than she was.

She sat angled in her seat watching me.

“You’re not freaking out about this? You played with Without Grey! You sat next to Camden Holmes and played a new song no one else has ever heard before. And you sang for them.”

“Trust me, the singing has me flying high, but playing with them? It feels more natural now. I was definitely freaking out the first time.”

I nearly swerved off the road. “You’ve done this more than once?”

“A month ago. We had a few sessions in between their tour dates.”

“Fucking hell, Bay.” How had I ever not seen her? As in, really seen her. There were people who walked the halls like they were gods because they’d gotten third row tickets to see them on their last tour and Bay sat beside them in a room playing along like she belonged. And she did. She was that good.

“It’s pretty cool.” She was trying to downplay the whole night.

“That doesn’t even begin to cover it.”

The morning sun hinted at its approaching arrival.

She covered her mouth with one hand, capturing her yawn.

“Are you going to be able to stay awake in school?”

Her shoulder jumped. “I’ve been doing it since junior year. No reason to think I can’t now.”

“I’ll bring you a coffee and give you a ride to school.” I had enough to swing by 7-Eleven and get us both a coffee. She’d love a mocha.

“You don’t have to. I’ll ride my bike.”

“Bay, come on. Let me drive you.” Walking into school with my arm around Bay’s shoulder, everyone would know we were together.

We pulled into her driveway. She flung open the door and hopped out of my car like it had suddenly become electrified.

“It’s okay. I’ll be fine. I have to meet Piper early to go over the notes for the bio exam.” She poked her head in the open door.

“I can go early.”

“Really, Dare. It’s no big deal.” She bit her lip and it hit me.

She didn’t want anyone to know we were together. It’s why she didn’t wave to me when I was playing ball with Knox in the back yard or ever talk to me in school unless it was required, like for our group project. A few times I’d hung by her locker and sworn I’d seen her, only for her to disappear.