“What, my fabulous sense of humor?”
“Exactly.”
A small crowd congregated by the bar, and a few others stood in groups of three and four in the main area of the room. We were early, but I hoped for the band’s sake that more people showed up. Jade seemed unconcerned as we made our way to the stage.
There was no one blocking our entrance to the stage. No one asked to see our shining green cards either. Instead, we just walked back like it was something we did all the time. I guess it was our second time backstage recently.
The backstage area was dimly lit, and we walked slowly along toward the sound of voices. Finally, we came to a small room with faded walls, a worn out couch, and a folding table with bottled water. The couch was filled with four people, two guys and two girls.
“Can we help you?” one of the guys who couldn’t have been more than my age asked. He glanced up at us with eyeliner rimmed eyes.
Since I had no idea what Maddox looked like, I let Jade handle things.
Jade strode over to a guy probably in his mid-twenties who sat on the corner cushion of the sectional couch. “Maddox, hey. Chase Denton said we could come back and chat with you tonight.”
“Oh, hey. Which one of you is Cara?”
“That would be me.” I stepped over near him.
“Nice. Chase said you were gorgeous.” He held out his hand. “Maddox Trance, nice to meet you.” Maddox turned to Jade. “And you’re Jade then?”
“Yes.”
“You’re the one who has a radio show with Cara at Harrison?”
“Did Chase tell you about it?” Jade switched into animated mode. She didn’t seem to mind that he inferred we did the show together. She had asked me to help, after all.
I glanced around at the others. Eyeliner guy was staring at me. “You’re Chase’s girl?”
Chase’s girl? That was a new one. I found I liked the way it sounded—and felt. “Yes, I’m dating Chase.”
“You don’t look like his type.”
“Maybe not his usual type.” I didn’t know exactly what his type was, but I assumed it wasn’t of the sorority girl variety. My clothes didn’t exactly match what his friends wore.
A girl with her blonde hair tied into pigtail braids laughed. “So, what’s Chase really like? Is he really so sweet, or is it all an act?”
“He’s sweet.” And sexy. I left the second part off.
Maddox leaned back against the couch. “So, I’m definitely on board for an on-air interview. Just tell me when and where.”
“Friday at five a.m. We’re right on Harrison’s campus.”
His eyes narrowed. “Five a.m.?”
“Yeah… I’m a freshman.”
Maddox laughed. “Okay, here’s the deal. Thursday night hang out with me to keep me up until then, and I’ll be there.”
He must have noticed the look of panic that crossed her face.
“Uh not in the way you’re thinking. Just hang out. I feel old now. Let me see how college kids party these days.”
Jade visibly relaxed. “Nothing but the Rat stays open that late.”
“Harrison has a Rathskeller?” the other girl sitting there asked.
“Yeah… don’t most schools?”
“Not anymore.” She ran a hand through her purple highlighted hair. “Any interest in interviewing us too?”
“You guys want in too?” Jade seemed excited. “I’m sure my listeners would love to hear from Pearberry, but why don’t we schedule for another week so the focus is on you?”
“Really?” By the surprise on their faces, I guessed that they weren’t exactly music giants yet.
I still had no idea who eyeliner guy was. He just sat there staring at me. “Can I help you?”
“What?” He wore a blank expression.
“You just seemed to be staring at me like you wanted to say something.”
“No. I was just staring at you because I wanted to.”
I looked at Jade. Was this guy for real? “Okay…”
I turned my back on him and tried to ignore him even though I had a feeling he was now staring at my ass.
“You must be the inspiration for his Sex on the Beach song. Nice.” Eyeliner spoke to my back.