Me:Now?
Aves: Okay, but I need to be done by 7. I’m going to Carter’s bandpractice.
Ugh. I didn’t even want to think about Rainier and the Go-Aways right now. Breaking up with him, if you could call it that, was hard enough. With any luck, I’d never have to think about himagain.
Me: Wannacomeover?
Aves: Be therein5.
True to her word, Avery was walking through my front door five minutes later with a big smile on her face. I’d been sitting on the couch staring off into space sincehertext.
“What are you so happy about?” I asked, still grumpy from mymorning.
She stopped in her tracks. “Wait. Why aren’t you happy? Carter said you and Rainier had a date last night, which by the way, I should have known that before he did. I figured we were going to have a girly afternoon talking aboutourboys."
"Yeah, well, it didn't gosowell."
"What happened?” She sat down on the couch nexttome.
“The two of us are so different, and Rainier’s leaving for school soon. I’m not going to go downthatroad.”
“I don’t think youshould.”
I looked up at her. “Youdon’t?”
“No, Michelle. For whatever reason, relationships make you skittish. I don’t think you need to have something like that drag out. Yes, I want to see you find that person who makes you happy, but that doesn’t mean I want to see yousettle.”
“I thought you’d be upset. Somehow you saw the connection there before either of us realized whatitwas.”
“Oh, don’t get me wrong. I still think you two would be perfect together, but notlikethat.”
Thankful we were on the same page, I changed the subject as quickly as possible. “So, enough about Rainier and me. I just wanted the company. How are things between you andCarter?”
She raised her browsatme.
“For some reason, your romantic exploits won’t bother metoday.”
“In that case,” Avery started, sitting up in her seat and rubbing her hands together. “I’m going to take advantage of lost time. Things are great. I know you think we’re moving fast, but I think sometimes you just know. He’s been talking a lot about the future, and I’m excited. He wants to see where the band goes but has decided to keep going to school in case it doesn’t work out. They’ve been asked to play at The Imperial again, and since the gig pays pretty well, he’s been able to start putting a little extracashaway.”
“They’re playing there again?” I wanted to know more. I didn’t want toknowmore.
“Yeah, I guess Chasing Sunsets liked their sound and asked the owner if they could open up for them on a regular basis. You should see Matt. He’s a man possessed. He’s been going on and on about how they need to find more venues to keep the ball rolling. He thinks they can makeitbig.”
“What about you and Carter, do you think the Go-Aways will makeitbig?”
“Oh, I don’t know. It’s fun to pretend. I keep telling Carter my ring better be the size of the moon if he becomes a famousrockstar.”
“He doesn’t mind you talking like that?” I asked, remembering how many guys hated any talk ofcommitment.
“Nope. I told you, he’s a breath of fresh air. He wants a future and isn’t embarrassed tosayso.”
I was happy for my friend. I was, but it was still hard to see how perfect they were for each other considering my hopes for a future with a particular rock star wereruined.
“What about Jenny?” I asked for some reason. I couldn’t tell if I wanted to bring her up because I was feeling catty or because I wanted to pour salt into thewound.
“Whatabouther?”
“How is she doing inpractice?”
