"This is just because we're local." Hayden smiled. "People like to come out and support."
"Or maybe you're just that good," I said.
"I guess we'll have to see what you say after the show."
"I know you're going to be amazing."
Hayden blushed then, and I almost couldn't believe this was the same guy.
"Hey," I said, "what's up with you? You're never this humble."
Santino walked over then and threw an arm around his friend. "He's nervous. Always is before a show."
"He used to throw up," Elliot added as he joined us. "Pretty gross."
"Thanks, guys," Hayden muttered.
Ryker patted him on the back. "No worries, it's going to be great."
"Just try not to toss your cookies," Elliot put in, and the two got into a friendly punching match. While their backs were turned, Santino leaned over to me.
"He's also nervous because you're here," he said.
"I make Hayden nervous?" I scoffed. "Yeah right, Santino."
He nodded. "For real. He's been checking his phone for the past hour to see if you were going to bail. He never invited anyone to see us play. Stopped doing that a while ago."
"But why?"
"Why would he be nervous you're here, or why did he stop inviting people?"
"Both," I said.
Santino thought about it a second. "He stopped inviting people because he really cares about the music. Hayden didn't want anything to taint that experience. Plus, he'd never admit it, but his family wasn't ever fully supportive of this, and that hurt."
Oh, Hayden.
"And you make him nervous," Santino said with a grin, "because he desperately wants to impress you."
I blinked. "He does?"
"Oh yeah."
Santino puffed out his chest.
"He's afraid that if you see us up there together you might start liking me instead, which would be totally understandable."
"Or me," Ryker said.
"Nah, it would be me," Elliot said. "Everyone knows chicks go for the lead singer."
The other two scoffed while Hayden shook his head.
"Whatever, guys," he said, pushing them aside. "Gosomewhere, and let me talk to my girlfriend."
"Fine, fine, we're going," Santino said. "Don't forget we go on in five."
"I'll remember."
