Even when Marc rocked out the guitar inches above my head. Even when I glimpsed the mashing horde as they pulsed up, up, up. Nothing but the scream of the song registered in my heart.

As I pushed the last sound from my throat, I understood why Kori had to do this. It was a freaking rush! Looking at the crowd, I realized they were cheering. For me. Me! The intense connection that had terrified me was still there; it hadn’t broken. Only now there weren’t any hostile eyes challenging me. I’d changed them all. And something more. When I looked closer, I realized I’d made them feel what I was feeling. I’d shared something I’d been unable to put into my own words. And they’d actually listened.

I’d never felt so understood in all my life. No wonder Kori sang for people any chance she got. It was because they truly heard her.

“That was amazing!” I screamed at the night as another rogue wave of ecstasy overtook me.

Even an hour later, the calm of the parking lot and fresh air did nothing to quell my post-performance high. Neither did the dead-drunk body of Kieren tossed over Shay’s shoulder. He was adamant about making sure Kieren got home safe, but when he unceremoniously dumped him into the truck bed, I started to doubt his compassion.

“No offense or anything,” Shay said, “but you can’t sing.”

“You are so missing the point. But since you brought it up—people clapped. You don’t see any rotten tomato stains, do you?” I twirled my body around, twisting on the gravel, showing him all of it. Probably a mistake. His eyes licked over me like he was picturing me naked again, this time covered in delicious tomato sauce.

He made an awkward grab for the door handle, his fingers slipping once before he managed to open it.

“I didn’t say it was awful,” he continued as he got behind the wheel. “Besides, they were clapping for you, not for your singing.”

“I don’t think it was that bad. The band said I did really well.” Marc’s actual words might’ve been, “Ya know, it’s fucking hot hearing a girl sing about another girl,” but I was so not telling Shay that! “They took my name and number and everything.”

He grunted and shot me a knowing look, probably already aware of what Marc really wanted it for.

I squished my face at him. “Can’t let me just enjoy it, can you? It’s not the most feminine of songs, you know.”

“Just saying, if this was like some dream of yours or something, I really think you should reconsider.”

I realized he had no idea why we were there, so of course he assumed this was about me.