Chapter 59
We spent the day shopping, but as the day wore on, I kept falling into silence. We got some lunch in the food court, and Greer sat down at a table across from me. "Okay. What the hell is wrong with you?" she asked. "If you're nervous about tonight, I get it. But don't let your nerves "
"It's not nerves," I said as I looked down at my soda.
She leaned across the table at me, forcing me to look into her eyes. "Then, what the hell is it? You've been acting weird all morning."
I snapped my head up. "I've not been acting weird."
"Okay. Then strange." Greer let out an exasperated breath. "What's going on? Spill! It's me! Your sister!"
I laughed. "Since when did you get so bossy?"
She shrugged as she gave me a mischievous smile. "I've always been this way. You just didn't notice."
I leaned back and looked into her eyes.
"Well?" she persisted.
I let out a deep breath in a rush. "Craig kissed me."
"He what?"
"Yup."
I took a sip of my soda as I waited for her reaction.
"Tell me what happened."
"Your food's getting cold."
"I don't care." Her careful gaze wouldn't let up.
I quickly told her what happened, and when I finished, she said, "Good for him."
"What?" I asked, looking at her in disbelief.
"Well, it looks as if Logan is out of the picture and Craig likes you "
"As a friend."
Greer laughed. "Yeah, right. Tell me another one."
I gave her a dirty look.
She shrugged. "Hey. I'm just saying that dating Craig might not be a bad thing."
"It would be a very bad thing."
"Why?" she asked, her eyes wide with innocence. "He's single, you're single "
"I'm in love with Logan!" I practically yelled.
Some people at a nearby table gave us a dirty look.
She leaned toward me with her voice low. "But where is he?" She sat back as she looked into my eyes. "I'm just saying to play the field, that's all."
I shook my head. "No, I don't want anyone else "
"I'm not saying that you have to marry Craig!" Greer said, a bit too loudly, once again, earning us more dirty looks from our fellow patrons. Greer looked over at them and gave them a dirty look right back. "Yeah, yeah! Go back to your food, why don't you?" Then, she turned back to me. "Now, what was I saying?" The shocked look on the people's faces mirrored my own. "Oh, yes! Play the field! Besides, he's totally hot. A bit too old for me, but totally hot."
I shook my head in disbelief at what I was hearing. "There's no way that I could cheat on Logan."
"Cheat on him?!" Greer yelled. "Listen to yourself, Alyssa! If you haven't noticed, he's not even in the picture any more. You can date who you want."
I let out a breath as I shook my head. "Somehow, it still feels like cheating."
"Well, get over it. Go out with Craig or whoever you want. Don't sit around waiting for him."
After finishing her lecture, she took a sip of her soda.
"There's no way that I'm ready to date yet, and I don't think of Craig in that way. It's not the same as with "
"Logan."
Pain ripped through my chest. "Look. It's still too fresh."
Greer reached over and took my hand as her eyes filled with compassion. "Alyssa, I'm not telling you to start dating again tomorrow, and it doesn't have to be Craig. Just stay open to the possibilities."
I couldn't imagine ever having to go on without Logan. It hurt even to think his name. "Come on. Let's go. We'll have to start getting ready soon."
I called a cab, and as we walked outside, I vowed to try everything Greer had asked.
***
When we got back to the hotel, I dressed in one of my new outfits-a shimmery silk mini dress with spaghetti straps. Then, I carefully applied my makeup and Greer helped me do my hair, which fell into loose waves. We talked and laughed while we were getting ready, but no other mention was made of Logan.
Greer dressed in a red mini dress, and I helped her do her hair, too. When we were finished, we looked in the mirror, satisfied with our efforts, and giggled.
"I'm so glad you're here," I said as I pulled her in for a hug.
She patted my back as she gave me a gentle squeeze. "Me, too." Then, she held me at arm's length. "Now, go knock 'em dead tonight!"
I nodded and smiled, thankful that I had such a good sister. "Thanks for everything."
She smiled, and then dabbed at her eye, careful not to smear her makeup. "Okay, then. Let's go." She was never good at showing her emotions when things grew too serious. She preferred to keep things light.
"Well, well," Noah said, coming out of his hotel room just as we were pulling the door to our room closed behind us. "Aren't you two the vision of loveliness?"
Smiling, I asked, "You don't think it's too much, do you?"
Noah chuckled. "Hey. If you've got it, flaunt it. It's not too much at all. You're an entertainer."
I nodded, and then we headed to the elevator. A moment later, it opened to the hotel lobby. Craig, Brett, and the rest of the band were waiting in the lobby. Craig and Brett both did a double take when they saw Greer and I approach.
"Wow! You look great!" Craig said as he gave me a quick hug. "Ready?"
I nodded, and, soon, we all loaded ourselves into the van and were headed toward the stadium.
"Now, you're only going to play a few songs as a warm up for Tasha. But if the crowd likes your music and wants more, then give it to them," Craig said, chatting animatedly as we drove down the main road, headed toward the stadium, never mentioning the kiss. It was probably just a spur-of-the-moment thing. Deep down, I was relieved. "Nervous?"
Smiling, I nodded slightly. "What do you think?"
He laughed. "Just don't let your nerves get the best of you. Turn your nerves into energy just before you go out, and then give them a hell of a show."
I nodded, and then turned my attention out the window.
