Free Finding Her Rhythm (Backstage Pass Series) by Dani Wade Page B

music blared from jumbo speakers, but at least it spread enough in the cavernous space that one could still hear another speak. Not that a lot of people were talking to Taylor. She mostly listened to the kids holler at each other in the pool, and the overused, high-pitched squeal of a woman erroneously named Roxie.
    The thirty or so other people in the pool or draped over poolside loungers consisted not just of band members but also roadies and various staff. A couple of them had seminormal families and had brought their teens, much to Matthew and McKayla’s enjoyment.
    The wives and girlfriends all seemed to know each other and mingled accordingly. A few spectacular “eye candy” additions kept things lively, while the male contingent indulged in masculine posturing or outrageous games in the pool.
    Taylor felt completely intimidated and out of her element.
    Oh, she could handle the men any day—after all, she was used to spending hours with barely civilized teens. These guys were nothing but overgrown kids.
    The women, on the other hand, were hard to get a hold on. As was always the case with groups, they gravitated toward the ones they knew , and breaking into those little cliques wasn’t a comfortable endeavor. Finding something in common might be a bigger challenge with a select few, which made the approach that much harder.
    So she’d fallen back into the “housekeeping” role, even though Michael had told her not to do a thing except enjoy herself. But if restocking drinks and fetching towels made her feel more comfortable, then that was enjoying herself, right?
    Michael hadn’t given any indication exactly what her role was with him—he didn’t boss her around like an employee, didn’t touch or defer to her like a lover. She knew what she wanted to be—had made her decision during the lonely hours of the night. But she had no idea how to let him know. That was way outside of her experience.
    Their interactions were more along the friend category, but always with an undertone of possibilities…and the possibilities were killing her.
    “ This crew can be a little overwhelming, huh?”
    Taylor turned toward the woman who had managed to sneak up on her while she was quietly freaking out. The stylish, self-possessed redhead inspired a smile with her natural charisma. Michael had introduced her as Becca, their publicist aka wrangler, upon her arrival.
    It was easy to see how Becca had gravitated toward her career. She’d put Taylor at ease immediately and could work a crowd without breaking a sweat.
    Taylor watched as Scooter picked up a squealing Roxie and tossed her, cover-up and all, into the pool. She emerged from the water with laughter on her face, her spiky blonde hairstyle standing on end. At least she was a happy woman…if she’d just put on more clothes.
    “ Yeah, this is definitely not Kansas anymore.”
    Becca chuckled. “Sometimes, you can feel like the only sane one in the crowd.”
    Taylor turned her eyes away from the sexy striptease Roxie was doing to get out of her wet clothes, and focused on Becca’s “girl next door” facade that didn’t jive with her knowing look. “You sound familiar with the feeling.”
    Becca tossed her a knowing look. “Trust me, my parents were actors. We had creative types in and out of the house all the time—but musicians are far, far rowdier than most.”
    “ Well, it’s definitely different than the youth-group pool parties I attended as a teenager.”
    Becca’s turquoise eyes widened a touch; then her laughter belted out full force. “I’d say so.”
    As they watched the antics across the pool in silence, Taylor reflected on just how true her statement was, and yet, in some ways there was no difference at all. She still felt the same awkwardness she had as a teenager, that inane desire to keep covered because her body was bigger than those around her. But a deep-seated need to flaunt something a man would appreciate remained. She was like a kid