As the road crew set up their instruments, Lucky and Jordan decided to look around the theater. It had been restored recently as part of a revitalization project for that part of the city. The entire venue glowed, from the lobby with its opalescent marble walls, red carpet, and intricate gold relief ceiling, to the theater itself, with its dramatic crystal chandelier dangling over red velvetseats.
Lucky's nerves were in full force again. It was a new city and a new drummer. And not just any drummer. Of course she knew he had the chops to pull it off, but as far as she knew, he had only heard her album on the ride downtoDC.
She watched as Jude showed the drum tech exactly how he wanted his drums set up. Now wearing a black short-sleeved t-shirt, Jude's biceps rippled as he tightened a bolt on his floor tom. As if he felt her staring, he looked directly at her and gave her a crooked smile that made her heart lurch in herchest.
"Hey, I've been wanting to ask you something," he yelled overtoher.
Walking over, still watching him put the final touches on his drums, she was sure it was obvious to everyone she floated on air because of him. She felt a stupid grin permanently affixed to her face and hoped she didn't look as ridiculous as shethought.
"Sure, is it about thesetlist?"
"No, I got that. I was curious..." He paused as he examined her face, his green eyes rarely leaving hers except to double check what he was doing. "Everyone calls you Lucky. It's on your album and everything. That can't possibly be your real name,isit?"
She laughed. "No, it's just a nickname. Longstory."
"Let me guess, parents' idea. What's yourrealname?"
"Yup, their idea, they thought it was cute and a reminder of how lucky it was that I'm alive. My real name is Olivia," she said, although she fully expected him to never use it and forget it existed likeeveryoneelse.
"That's pretty. Olivia. Itsuitsyou."
She giggled nervously and immediately hated herself for that. Walking off stage, she replayed their conversation over and over in her head. Jordan joined her in the dressing room as she changed into a blue tie-dyed maxi dress fortheshow.
"You really like him, don't you?" Jordanasked.
"What, who? Jude?"Luckysaid.
"Don't play stupid with me. I've known you almost your whole life. You think I don't remember whose poster is hanging behind your bedroom door?" Jordanteased.
"What about you and Dylan? You barely left his side onthebus."
"This isn't about me. Dylan's not some huge rock star with an equally bad reputation. I never told you, but remember Cori from down the street? A friend of her friend sleptwithhim."
Lucky rolled her eyes. She pulled her long hair to the side and began braiding it, hoping Jordan would just shut up. The last thing she wanted to think about was Jude with someone else, let alone the friend of another friend, as always seemed to bethecase.
"What's your point,Jordan?"
"Just be careful. You don't know guys, and some of them see a sweet innocent girl like you and they want to takeadvantage."
"He's notlikethat."
"You don't know. You've known him all of five hours and barely spoketohim."
"Fine, whatever," Lucky said. "This couldn't wait until after the show? You know how nervousIget."
"Well, I didn't know if you were going to do a disappearing act like last night, so I had to tellyounow."
"Ugh, please, like I don't feel guilty enoughaboutthat."
Jordan smirked. "Good, just as long as you do feelguilty."
The lights blinked, signaling it was time for her show to begin. She made her way to the side of the stage with the rest of the band. Her nerves were already gone as she listened to the crowd in their seats. They took their positions on stage and nodded to Jude, who started to play as thecurtainrose.
* * *
The show went great.Lucky always felt that with the right drummer, any band could come together. Jude's presence proved herright.
After changing back into her jeans and a royal blue tunic, she was surprised to see so many people backstage. These weren't just the usual band and roadies. A lot of people came up to her and told her they loved the show. Lucky wasamazed.