“You really are unbelievable. Did youknowthat?”
“So is thatayes?”
A sigh escaped her lips before she pulled her keys out of her purse. “Here. Take my car. I’ll have Carter take me home later, and I’ll get a ride tomorrow to pickitup.”
I looked down at the keys she placed in my hands. “Areyousure?”
“Yeah, I can guarantee any inconvenience is better than listening to you mope. I’ll see you tomorrow,” Avery said before walking up to the stage and kissing Carter. I wanted to be happy for my friend, but the display made meuncomfortable.
I only stood there watching for a few seconds before I walked out and drove home in her piece ofcrapcar.
ChapterEight
Rainier
IknewAvery and Michelle were best friends. I might not be up to date on all the drama and inner workings of our small town, but considering Avery was a common sight at practice, I knew just enough about hersociallife.
Knowing what I did, I shouldn’t have been surprised to see Michelle at our show. That didn’t mean I had to be happyaboutit.
I hated that tonight, of all nights, was the one Michelle showed up to our gig. I’d loosened up the best I could while playing and felt like I was doing a damn good job too until my eyes found her sitting at the bar. It wouldn’t have been so bad if she wasn’t staring at me when I spotted her. I was sure she was having a field day tearing me apart, and I could feel my face burn just from the thoughtofit.
Thankfully, I didn’t have much time to dwell on Michelle before Jenny came up on the stage. I was still packing my equipment up when she walked over. I almost didn’t recognize her. Instead of the usual jeans and tee shirt combo I was used to seeing her in, she was wearing a dress that left so little to the imagination I wasn’t sure if I should be enjoying it or trying to avertmyeyes.
It didn’t help that she was standing near me as I was kneeling on the ground putting my guitar in its case. I quickly jumped up before my eyes made any rash decisions for me and rubbed my hands on myjeans.
Looking at her face was just as jarring as the dress. She was wearing dark makeup, and her hair was different than usual. She looked…pretty. Different, but itwasgood.
“Hey, Rainier,” she said, and I swore even in the dark lighting I could see a blush across hercheeks.
“Hey,” I answered, unsure of what elsetosay.
“That was agreatshow.”
“Thanks.”
“You wereamazing.”
“I’m toostiff.”
Laughter rang out from behind me. When I spun around to see what the fuss was all about, I couldn’t help but notice Matt was looking right at me while he cracked up. I thought about what I’djustsaid.
Oh, come on. That wasn’t even bad, but Matt could find a way to make anything sound dirty. I didn’t want to creep Jenny out by giving her the wrong impression, so I shot him a look before turningaround.
“Anyway,” I said trying to ignore how awkward I felt. “I’m glad you couldcomeout.”
“Yeah,metoo.”
Conversation usually came easily between us, but this was downright painful. Our one words responses were the kind you gave someone you didn’t like or know that well. Even knowing I should say or do something to break the weird tension, Icouldn’t.
I didn’t know what else to say, and Jenny didn’t add anything either. We stood there awkwardly until my parents walked up. My mom wasted no time pulling me into a hug that practically knocked the breath out of me. She ignored any ground rules I’d laid out for her beforetheshow.
“Oh, we are so proud of you,” my mom said still hugging me. She was rocking our bodies back and forth wildly. I was sure it would catch the attention of everyone in the bar, and I tried to slow hermovements.
Of course, Owen chose that moment to walk by and laughed. It wasn’t the lighthearted teasing I’d just gotten from Matt. This was much more sadistic. I might be the weird homeschool kid who didn’t always pick up on social cues, but I still knew he got off on making funofme.
Mercifully, my dad intervened. “Ok, Maggie. Let the boy go. He’s nineteen, and he doesn’t need his mother hugging him like he’s five.” My mom reluctantly released me and I turned to face my dad. “You really were great, son,” he continued and shookmyhand.
“Thanks,Dad.”
