"Hey!" shouted Irene to Bill, the head roadie this season. "What did I tell you about that case? Gently gentlemen, gently." She mimed them setting the chrome synthesizer case down on the ground slowly.

Bill rolled his eyes and put his arm around Irene's shoulder. "Where's Ned, he's way easier to deal with than you," he teased.

"You're lucky I let him be our liaison. With how you're handling our equipment I'd slap you around every show."

"Don't I know it," he said. He put his fist against her cheek and pushed playfully, and she slapped him in the arm. I thought is was all awfully flirty, but then Ned showed up. His eyes lit for only Irene, and she put her hands on his chest, her own eyes soft and leaned up and kissed him. They really did love each other deeply. I blushed and looked away, my eyes landing on Clu. He was talking to the other roadies with big arm gestures, explaining what, I didn't know.

I'd completely misjudged him a few days ago. I'd thought he was quiet, a little shy and stuck up. Boy was I wrong. He was big. Larger than life.

Everything was bodacious, exciting, and to be celebrated. He loved big, he thought big. He cared about Fi in a big brother way, completely believing everything she told him. He watched out for Jack, and I could tell he would do anything to make him happy. He looked up to his dad like a hero, and he loved his mother to death. I'd never met anyone like him.

Someone who didn't get him, might think he was airheaded because of the way he talked, but he was smart. Just not about the things that others might think were important. In two days, I'd learned that he had trouble in math and science, but he was an excellent writer, and he went to places that not many people dared go. He could talk your ear off about philosophy and would ask questions that I'd never thought to ask in my life. He made everyone around him think on a different level. He was lovely. I'd never been so happy to be wrong about someone.

He was the complete opposite of James. James who disregarded people's feelings in lieu what he deemed important. I quelled the thought. James didn't belong in my thoughts anymore.

I concentrated on Irene, following her around, taking notes, trying to joke with the roadies. But mostly I just felt like I was in the way.

"You'll get the hang of it," she said. I wasn't so sure. I tucked my notebook back in my pocket.

"So who's the newbie?" said Bill, walking up to us and pointing at me. I blushed and looked at Irene. She raised her eyebrows and gave me a nod, like "go on".

"Your new boss," I said. I felt the flush up my neck as he stared at me wide eyed. I held his gaze and crossed my arms. Here it was. Make or break time.

To my surprise and delight, Bill burst out laughing. "You picked a good one Irene! Boys, this is the new boss. You'd better listen to her, or you'll answer to me." In reply, they all gathered at my feet bowing on their knees.

Irene laughed. "Dear Lord, what suck ups," she said rolling her eyes. I held myself regally and bowed to them as my subjects. I glanced up at Clu and caught my breath. A little smile played on his lips and he raised his arms, feigning a bow. I circled my hand at him like a princess.

Irene was suddenly pulling at my arm. "Alright, alright, enough. Erika, I need you to call the manager and make sure he'll have someone there to turn the lights on this time." She handed me her cell phone, and I took it and the number on the piece of paper she gave me.

"Um sure, yes, I can do that."

"Good." She walked away, and I was left dumbfounded in the hall. Every time I'd had a moment with Clu over the past couple days, she'd done everything she could to either distract us or pull him away. I couldn't figure it out. Even if she'd figured out that I liked him, what was the point of keeping us from being friends. I sighed and dialed the number.

…

Molly was amazing that night. She held the crowd in a spell. I'd never gotten to see one of her shows, but I knew all the words from all the albums. This was better though. So much better. Fi, Jack and I danced like maniacs in the wings of the curtains and sang along to every word. I'd missed this family connection so much. It wasn't easy being an only child with a single mother. I'd never understood why we couldn't visit more.

I hugged the clip board to my chest. We'd reached a slow song, and I swayed it back and forth closing my eyes. I leaned back, and my head hit something solid. I turned my neck, and found Clu, so close, I'd bumped his jaw with the back of my head. I tilted my chin up and met his eyes. He was staring down at me. I'd come to learn, that what I'd thought was his scowl, was actually just his study face. Serious Clu. I swallowed hard. His hair was mussed so perfectly, I had to fight the urge to reach my hand back into it and pull his head down onto my shoulder. I turned back to Molly, completely still, but feeling tingly from the heat radiating off him onto my back.