Free Chasing the Music: For the Love of Music Book 0.5 by Mia Josephs Page A

everywhere with Bridget, Apelu and Dave. He wasn’t even her friend, much less someone who should be as worried about her as he was. It’s just that from the first time he met her, he could tell she was hiding things. Putting on a face to cover what she felt. And this was the exact kind of thing Ryker gave him hell over.
    Griffin went through the usual routine of checking cords and slowly tuning guitars and making sure Lita James’ stuff wasn’t mixed up with the local band who’d gone on first.
    Every time his hands ran over his jeans or he kneeled down, he remembered the soft, stretchy jeans that Lita had bought for him. Was she annoyed that he hadn’t had black jeans until then? Or was she being nice? Or was it something else? Maybe he was so low on the totem pole, it was a pity thing. He didn’t know, and it shouldn’t matter, but he’d probably frame them on his wall after the tour was over. Pants from Lita James. He laughed at how they’d look next to the guitars he’d built.
    “S’up?” Ryker asked as he kneeled next to Griffin.
    “Does Lita look skinny to you? It’s like she’s ready to just fall over.”
    Ryker shook his head. “Trying to find someone else to mother?”
    “Shut up, asshole.” He shouldn’t have brought it up. He knew better. His phone beeped. Two missed calls from Stacy. Hell. And he’d been the one trying to reach her just the day before.
    “I’m gonna take care of these.” He flashed his phone to his brother. “You know, before the show.”
    Ryker shrugged as Griffin walked off stage.
    “I aced my dye test!” Stacy shrieked when he answered.
    Griffin laughed as he pulled the phone from his ear. “Super proud of you. That’s awesome, Stace.”
    “I’m so close to being upgraded from shampoo girl!” She laughed.
    For the first time since he’d left, he said, “Wish I was there to share that with you.”
    Stacy snorted. “This is a girls go out thing, Griff.” And then laughed. “I’m so happy.”
    “That’s awesome.”
    “I feel…” She paused for a moment. “I feel different, Griff. Like I’m more powerful than I thought I was, you know? I’m like, surprising myself.”
    He leaned against the outside wall and smiled. “Happy for you.” It was maybe the first time he’d actually missed her since leaving. The distance was a good thing. When he got home his life would all fall into place the way it needed to so he could keep everyone happy.
    “Me, too.” She sighed. “I’m glad you’re doing this thing, though. And I miss you like crazy. Sleeping alone sucks. Call me tonight?”
    “You’ll be asleep,” he warned.
    “I’m so used to it now, I just crash again. Please ?” she begged.
    The weight of his responsibility toward her hit him again. “Yeah, Stace. Of course I’ll call.”
     
     
    As Griffin watched Lita perform from backstage, her movements were smaller, less energetic. Her voice not as strong.
    Her hips swung to the right and her feet slipped.
    Griffin’s heart dropped and he leapt forward, but stopped just shy of the open stage as she stood again and continued with the song. Something was definitely off. He scanned his side of the stage for Bridget, but she rarely stayed for the whole show.
    He moved back to where he’d been watching and Lita paused at the end of the song. “You guys are awesome!”
    The crowd cheered.
    “I need a quickie break. Gimme two!”
    And she dropped the mic stumbling backstage.
    Griffin ran to the edge of the black curtain, his heart hammering, the band staring with wide eyes until the drummer slapped his sticks together and they started jamming without her.
    “Lita?”
    She fell against him, her hands clawing into his shoulders. “I feel like hell.”
    He stepped backwards, grasping her by the waist to help her stand, and they were surrounded in seconds.
    “No!” Dave threw out his hands. “Back up!”
    “I gotta get back out there,” she mumbled. Only Lita clutched Griffin more