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“It’s great to meet you, Coach Gallagher. Daniel has told me so much about you. He’s quite the talk at school as the goalie who also dances.”
“I love that so much. Daniel, James, this is Andre Thompson.” Andre shook hands with them as I talked. “He’s…” I looked to Andre. “We haven’t figured that out yet, have we?” I chuckled nervously.
Andre laughed while Daniel and James looked amused.
“Nice, Coach!” Daniel said.
“You coming to the game tomorrow?”
“Wouldn’t miss it.”
“Great. Let’s catch up after.” I didn’t want to take up more of his time here. “I’ll let you get back. Congratulations again. You were spectacular.”
I gave Daniel another quick hug, and we made our way over to Oscar, Nate, and Dmitri.
“That was spectacular,” I told them. “I’d heard the original music in a clip Dixon showed me, but the solo violin—wow.”
“It was all thanks to Dmitri,” Oscar said, clapping the violinist on the shoulder. “He heard the recorded track we’d brought and approached us to play live instead. We only had two rehearsals, but it came together fast and beautifully. I’m going to share the live stream footage with the original choreographer. He may want to adapt that for the future.”
“It was really something having moved from piano and guitar on the tour to Dimitri’s solo.” Nate took a drink from his water bottle. “It elevated everything.”
Dmitri smiled modestly. “It was an honor to be part of such a beautiful piece. I think the violin part tells its own story alongside theirs.”
Oscar and Nate agreed, and after a few more minutes of conversation, Andre and I excused ourselves so they could talk to more admirers.
“What are you up to now?” Andre asked as we headed into the main theater space.
I shrugged. “Have something in mind?”
“Could we go to your place? Hang out on the deck?”
“Absolutely.” Happiness fluttered in my chest. Andre was comfortable enough to ask for what he wanted. I’d been planning to extend an invitation, but having him take that step thrilled me.
TWENTY-TWO
ANDRE
I longed for Ethan on the short drive to his place. After the emotional intensity of the evening’s performance, even the brief separation pulled on my heart.
He was nearby, though, as his car was just ahead of mine. When we pulled into the long driveway, the motion sensor lights clicked on, illuminating the road and the front of the house in a warm glow.
I climbed out of my car as Ethan got out of his. “Thanks for letting me invite myself over.”
“I’m glad you did.” His smile was soft, intimate, as he walked over to me. “I wasn’t ready to say good night.”
“Me either.”
The house was quiet as we entered, such a contrast to the energy from earlier in the day. Ethan led the way to the kitchen, flipping on lights as we went. The silence was perfect for processing the emotional evening we’d experienced.
“I’m still thinking about that last piece.” I leaned against the counter. “The way Oscar and Nate told that story.”
Ethan’s voice softened. “Kind of like us. Far apart for a long time, and then coming together.”
The vulnerability in his expression tugged on my emotions.
“Two people finding each other at the right time.”
“Exactly.” He reached for my hand and raised it up. I followed his lead and twirled around once. “Though hopefully with fewer complicated dance moves.”
