His friend was right, Jake realized. He always knew where Duncan was, it was part of his job, but since the bonding marks showed up, Duncan almost always knew exactly where Jake was, too. He’d be playing and singing and then look off stage and wink, making Jake smile in the midst of the chaos. “Okay,” Jake said, licking his lips. The realization frightened him for some reason. He wasn’t sure why. He grimaced. Maybe I’m not as used to this as I thought I was?
Duncan stood up and gathered Jake into a hug. “Hey, hey, calm down, all right? You’re making me crazy here.” He tucked his friend’s face into his shoulder and Jake relaxed.
“I think I’m nervous about meeting Emma,” he mumbled into Duncan’s jacket.
“I know,” Duncan soothed. “I’m a little nervous, too.”
Jake looked at him skeptically. “Yeah, right. Dude, you never get nervous.”
Duncan smiled. “I know, but I can feel your anxiety. I can feel hers. It’s making me itchy.”
Jake shook his head then shoved at Duncan. “Don’t you have an interview or something? Like, five minutes ago?”
Duncan grinned and hugged Jake again. “I do, but you mean more to me than a stupid interview.” Jake couldn’t help smiling at this. He hugged Duncan back with all his strength.
Chapter 4
“I’m coming!” Emma called, poking her earlobe and then wincing as she missed the hole again. Stupid earring, she thought as she walked to the front door. “Why didn’t you just come in?” she asked as she opened the door for Julie. “You’ve been here enough times that you don’t need permission.”
Julie shrugged. “Habit, I think. Here, give me that.” Julie eyed Emma’s pink earlobe. “Why didn’t you just look in the mirror?” she asked as she maneuvered the silver wire through Emma’s piercing. She slipped the plastic backing onto the post then stepped back to flick at the dangling silver strands.
“I was in a hurry.” Emma looked around for her shoes. “I fell asleep after work and just woke up about fifteen minutes ago.”
“Seriously?” Julie raised her eyebrows. “How could you fall asleep? We’re going to see Duncan Green in concert!”
Emma shook her head. “I was exhausted.” She found her favorite purple suede heels and slipped them on, walking to the full-length mirror on the back of her bathroom door to see if they looked okay with the rest of her outfit. The slim, dark jeans looked good with her fitted purple blouse. The fabric was shiny and stretchy, and she loved the way the short sleeves made her arms look thin and pretty. What she liked best, though, were the silver snaps that held it closed instead of buttons. She couldn’t do anything to disguise her curves, but in this outfit she looked almost skinny, so she was pleased. The purple shoes complimented the black, and she slipped on the thick silver bracelets she’d set out earlier. Her hair was loose, falling around her shoulders in soft waves, the silver from her earrings peeking out from between the strands. She’d actually broken open the mascara for once, highlighting the black liner she’d applied not five minutes ago. She wondered if she should cover up the marks on her arms then decided the bracelets hid them enough. Most people would just think she had a pair of very unique tattoos.
“I understand being tired, but Emma, aren’t you excited? I mean, you’re probably going to meet them, right?” Julie asked.
Emma fidgeted with her hair one last time, wishing she could avoid the question. “I know, Julie, I know. It’s just—” she sighed.
“You’re nervous.” Julie smiled and rubbed her friend’s arm compassionately.
“Yeah.” Emma sat down on her sofa. She looked at the pink nail polish that peeked through the open-toes of her shoes. “I mean, yeah, I was exhausted from the situation today at the school, then I was really nervous about the concert, then I just sat down and zonked out.” Emma carefully didn’t mention how she spent a good half-hour eavesdropping on Jake and Duncan while they had their little heart-to-heart in the dressing room. She didn’t think Julie would understand her fear. Her friend was a fan of Duncan’s and would probably love to be telepathically attached to the man. Emma, though, had spent most of her life alone. The sudden invasion of her mental privacy was as upsetting as it was comforting.
“Well, okay, I don’t know how you could sleep, but at least you’re rested and ready for the show! Come on.” Julie grabbed Emma’s hand and pulled her up. “Time to go!”
Two hours later, Julie stopped her car in the parking lot a few blocks west of Madison Square Garden. Emma felt her stomach flip over and silently congratulated herself on having the good sense to not eat anything heavier than an apple for dinner.
“Oh my God, I’m so excited!” Julie said after they’d paid the attendant. “Look! You can see the Garden from here!” She pointed and Emma obediently looked down the street at the venue’s distinctive outline. “Do you see it?”
Emma grinned. “I see it, I see it! I’ve been here before, you know,” Emma teased, but Julie just laughed and grabbed her hand.
“Let’s go!”
Two blocks later they were walking past the tour trucks parked in back of the building. “Thank God the parking wasn’t far,” Emma remarked, trying not to get a heel wedged in the metal grates that dotted the sidewalk. “I can’t walk very far in these shoes.” She let Julie tow her toward the front entrance, trying to ignore the way Jake and Duncan felt in her head. The proximity made her even more aware of the two men. She could feel them as they moved around backstage, and the mental double-vision was making her dizzy.
“I told you it wasn’t far. That parking lot’s pricey, but it’s worth it.” Julie shoved them both through the crowds. They walked up the wide steps, and Julie tugged her towards the VIP entrance. “Come on, I think we’re supposed to go in here.” Emma balked and Julie pulled on her hand. “Oh relax, it’ll be fine! Seriously.”
Emma shook her head but stopped trying to hold back. Julie had no idea. Duncan and Jake knew she was there. She could feel their anticipation. Her heart tripped alarmingly, but she gamely moved forward with Julie, hoping everything would be okay. She laughed to herself as Julie showed the ticket attendant their paperwork. What did she think was going to happen? She knew they were nice guys. Even if they hadn’t taken up residence in her head, just watching the interviews she could find of them on the internet assured her they weren’t typical rock-star assholes. Most of the interviews she could find featured Duncan, but she’d managed to track down two that had Jake, including the infamous Oprah segment. She smiled as Julie tugged again, exasperated with Emma’s timidity.
“I’m pretty sure I’m going to throw up with nervousness,” Emma said when they finally broke through the crowds and into the hallway leading to the floor near the stage. “We’re practically on the damn stage here.”
“Don’t worry, you’ll be fine. And the lights shining in his eyes will make it hard for Duncan to see much in the audience. I’ve been in the front row here before, a few years back. Different concert.” Julie grinned, maneuvering them both down the rows of chairs. Emma tried to keep her feet as the number of people grew larger the closer they got to the front. She could feel the excitement in the air, and she took a moment to look up and out in the vast interior of the arena. There were ads scrolling along electronic billboards, and the noise level was near deafening just from all the people talking and milling around. She was abruptly glad she’d remembered her earplugs. “Hey, I think we made it in time for the opening act. Look, they’re uncovering equipment at the front of the stage.” Julie pointed, but Emma was too distracted to pay attention.