Everything But Read Free Page A

mask while he slid the Ray-Bans off, hanging them in the front of his t-shirt.   Time for the show to begin.
     

 
     
    Chapter Three
     
    ERIN WAS UNCOMFORTABLE .  No, it wasn’t the dress.  The dress, while a little too revealing, wasn’t pulling or bunching.   It wasn’t too tight…a little snug and form-fitting, but it was just for one night, she reminded herself.   So she could deal with the discomfort of putting herself on display.  It was for a good cause.
    At least that’s what she kept telling herself.  She could have kicked herself for not knowing up front what she’d been getting herself into.  She’d had no idea the coach was auctioned too until earlier today .   But now here she was, getting ready to be sold along with the cheerleaders under her supervision , wearing an old dr ess she’d worn to her parents’ fo rty-year anniversary celebration last summer .
    Dear God.
    And if she felt like a bug under a microscope now, she knew it would only be worse once she had to actually stand onstage.
    It felt like they’d been waiting forever, but she knew it had only been about ten minutes.  Another five or so and they’d begin the proceedings.  She heard and saw a commotion near one of the double doors leading into the gym.  She was drawn to it and that’s when she saw him.  She knew it was him even though she could only see the top of his head.
    It had to be Riley Schultz, former lead singer of the now-defunct band Spawn.  She knew all about their history.  In fact, she’d liked Spawn.  They’d had a few hit singles, but being a metal fan, she’d bought all their albums.  She knew they were a few years older than she—Winchester was proud of the local boys who became famous, and she knew she’d been in middle school about the time they were seniors in high school, so she’d never really known them.  But she’d listened to their music and followed their careers.  Between Hit Parader and Wikipedia , Erin knew that Riley had never been married, hadn’t had any children (that he knew about anyway), and was now in a new band called something like Undue Influence that would be releasing a new single any day now, would be gin touring midsummer, and would be releasing their first album late summer or early fall.
    In fact, in high school, Erin had fantasized more than a little about Riley Schultz.  Hey, i t could happen, right?
    But she’d outgrown her schoolgirl crush and had moved on.  When she’d found out he would be hosting the auction tonight, she almost feigned illness.  She had no idea how she would react around someone famous… especially someone she’d crushed on so long ago.
    But she got over it.  She was an adult, for God’s sake, and had to go on with the show.  They’d have the auction; she could get a little excited seeing a famous rock star up close; and then she could go on some stupid-ass date and get on with her life.
    Oh, part of her was more than a little excite d.  Part of her felt like a fan girl .  But Erin was no idiot.  She knew rock stars never wound up with groupies (well, maybe for a quick lay) , and if she threw herself at him, she’d never have a chance.
    Who was she kidding?  She didn’t have a chance anyway.   For all she knew, he had a serious girlfriend just waiting for him to finish this gig.
    Well, it didn’t matter.  She was going to enjoy the view just the same.  Riley emerged from amongst the throng of fans, guided by the theater teacher Ron Gill , and sat next to the stage, just as the co-captains of the football team made their way up to the microphone.  Before the lights dimmed, she got a good look at Riley.  Again, thanks to Wikipedia , she knew he was around thirty, and in spite of the last few years of hard living (she knew about two stints in rehab for heroin addiction), he looked incredible.  He was cut and he had a strong, chiseled jaw.  His hair was a little mussed up, just adding to the rock star