Page 62 of Electric Touch

“Do it. Get up on this table and sing your heart out. One verse and chorus. I dare you.”

She blows out a breath. “On the table?”

“Go big or go home.”

“Okay, get your phone ready. I’m not doing this twice.”

With my camera switched to video, I hold it up. Adrestia takes another deep breath, then climbs onto the table. So far, only a couple of people have looked over to see what she is doing.

“You got this.”

She brushes her hair back and closes her eyes. I am about to tell her that’s cheating, but let her do it her way. She starts to sing Blank Space, throwing herself in to it. I get up and walk further back so I can fit all of her into the frame. I don’t look at anyone else, just her. She isn’t the greatest of singers, but she can carry a tune. Her eyes open and she looks at me, reaching the chorus. She does a little shimmy and I whoop, cheering her on.

A few people around us clap. Adrestia looks surprised, but keeps going. She’s doing this. I’m in total awe watching as she throws her arms out wide. I sing along with her and she grins at me. Her cheeks are flushed, a remnant of the embarrassment that warmed her skin when she first started singing.

When the song ends, she takes a bow and everyone claps. I stop the recording, then hold out my hand to help her off the table. She falls into me and I wrap my arms around her. Nothing can stop me from kissing that smile.

The cheering continues and I’m sure I see some phones being lifted, which isn’t good. I may not feel like a bona fide rockstar yet, that doesn’t mean people don’t recognise me. Or this won’t spread like wildfire if anyone does. I press my mouth against her ear.

“We need to go.”

Adrestia peeks around me. Her lips go round. “Oh shit.”

She grabs my hand and we hurry away, ducking our heads as we go. We run across the parking lot until we reach Apollo’s car. I glance back, not expecting anyone to have followed. There are a couple of teenage boys with their cameras up, coming towards us.

“Get in,” Adrestia cries, throwing herself in the car. I get in more calmly and look at her with an amused smile. Her cheeks are even more flushed, her eyes bright. “Sorry, I’m overreacting, but that was exhilarating.”

She starts the car and backs out of the spot. At least she isn’t driving like a maniac. She’s a very safe driver. I’d expect nothing less.

Chapter Eighteen

“It’s gone viral.”

I pinch the bridge of my nose. Everyone is here, but only one set of eyes is burning the side of my head. For the first time, I don’t care what Riley thinks. I’m more concerned about what this means for Adrestia.

“It’s not a bad thing,” Jack says, grinning at me. “It was hot.”

Declan gives Jack a look, telling him to shut up. “People want to know who she is.”

“They’ll just have to keep wanting,” I say, trying not to let my frustration show.

Declan watches me. He doesn’t look pissed, but he’s not thrilled either. We were called to another meeting at his apartment this time.

This is my first real taste of being famous, I guess. I’ve spoken to Adrestia, calling as soon as I heard there was a video of us on the internet. Fortunately, there is no footage of her on the table singing, just afterwards, falling into my arms and kissing me. The angle the kids filmed meant they got more of me than her. Which was what they wanted. If it had been anyone with any sense, they would have made sure they got her, too. The video is dark, shaky, and I’m hiding her face from the camera.

Adrestia watched it, but was more concerned about me. As Declan pointed out, it has gone viral. After everything from the last few weeks, the press is going wild about the woman I’m kissing.

It was fucking stupid of me. You never know who is around you. I need to be careful of my surroundings.

Declan’s apartment is nice, spacious, with expensive art on the walls. It has a great view of the city and is as uncluttered as a place can get, with only necessary furniture. It’s making it easier for him to move around. The last thing he needs is to be falling over shit lying around.

He’s way more professional than he was before the accident. Never leaving the house unless he is in a suit, and perfectly groomed. He puts on this armour to deflect from the limp, scar and cane.

“Given everything going on around the band, it’s obvious we need to take more care about what we’re doing,” Declan says.

“Meaning what?” Ciro asks.

He’s in gym gear, not happy about being pulled away from his workout. Riley is beside Jack. He greeted her with a smile when she arrived and made sure she sat next to him.