Free Two Steps Back by Belle Payton

abashed by her beauty, her sophistication, and her easy manner.
    Harley was tall and slender in black jeans, black cowboy boots, a white T-shirt, and a slim-fitting, buttery-soft-looking black leather jacket. Her long, glossy brown hair was pulled back into a casual ponytail, revealing a finely chiseled face with no discernible makeup besides ruby-red lips. Her dark eyes were as large as a fawn’s, her brows thick and even.
    â€œH-h-hi!” said Alex, suddenly overcome with shyness.
    â€œLooks like your sister inherited all the good looks in the family, bro,” said Jackson with a little chuckle.
    Alex tore her eyes away from Harley and said hello to Jackson. She realized she’d seen both Jackson and Harley once before, when they’d come to play at her parents’ anniversary dinner a few weeks before. But it had been dark and somewhat chaotic in the restaurant when dozens of people had shown up to wish them a happy anniversary, so she hadn’t really paid much attention. Now she was able to get a good look at Jackson, sitting casually behind his drum set, and he, too, struck her as the height of sophistication. He had dark skin and close-cropped hair, and in spite of the dim lighting, wore tiny oblong-shaped sunglasses, which emphasized his handsome face. He had on a pale-green shirt and faded jeans, and there was a gold stud in one ear.
    She’d almost forgotten to look for Luke, but a quick scan of the small, ultrahip seating area told her he wasn’t in the room. About a dozen tiny tables were arranged near the performance area, and behind them she could make out racks of books, magazines, and cards. Along one wall was a polished wooden counter and gleaming coffee-making equipment. She could hear some banging and talking coming from a room beyond a door and presumed it led to a kitchen. They were probably prepping for the evening, she decided.
    â€œAre you a musician like your brother?” asked Harley, smiling at Alex.
    â€œMe? Oh, ah-ha-ha, no, not really,” said Alex, immediately resolving to take up an instrument as soon as possible. “Did my brother tell you why I was here?”
    â€œYou’re doing a story about us,” said Jackson. He gave her a thumbs-up. “That is cool.” He drew out the last word in a very charming way.
    â€œYes, and I thought I’d just come to rehearsal to listen and to figure out what I can talk about with you tonight when my crew shows up. I’m thinking that I’ll start with an intro, and then you perform a song, and then after the show maybe I can interview all three of you together.”
    â€œSounds like a plan,” said Tommy. Then he looked past Alex. “Oh, hey, Luke.” He elbowed Alex. “Al, come meet our manager.”

CHAPTER
ELEVEN
    It took every nerve fiber in Alex’s body to stay calm, look unperturbed, and turn around with a casual “Oh, hi!” She managed it, but barely. In spite of her cool exterior, she felt her pulse racing and her stomach turning.
    Luke was still dressed as he’d been that morning, in his backward hat, Ashland shirt, athletic shorts, and sneakers. But he could wear a burlap sack and still look like the perfect man, Alex thought.
    Luke smiled at Alex and greeted the others.
    Was he trying not to reveal the depth of his emotions? Was he using every reserve of his strength to hide his passionate feelings from his friends? How bravely he was behaving! Well, if he could be brave, so could she.
    â€œGo sit in the back,” Tommy ordered him. “Let us know how it sounds from there.”
    â€œWill do,” agreed Luke. He wound his way through the little seating area and sat down at a table that was the farthest from the performance space.
    â€œYou go too, Al,” said Tommy. “Tell us if the balance sounds right. We haven’t done an actual sound check yet, but the guy will be here soon.”
    Alex gulped, but obediently made her way