Page 74 of Crash & Burn

Chapter 25

Eddie

Tonight did not go how I thought it would, but why am I even surprised? I thought seeing Mia tonight would be like any other day I’ve seen her this summer since our first show. We would keep things polite and friendly, and I would continue to keep some healthy distance between us.

What just happened between us, in the car and the walk here, further proves how much of a fucking idiot I am because it took me less than an hour with her to resort back to putting myself right into the palm of her hand.

We weren’t alone, but we sure as hell could have been. It felt all the same. It didn’t matter that there were people around us. When she’s in my sight, all my attention is on her and nothing else matters.

Maybe it is the high of making the Heartbreakers Tour official.

Maybe it is because the swell of gratitude in my chest for seeing how perfectly Mia fits into this fucked up crew of my most favorite people.

Maybe it is her stupid pink top and her stupid lush lips and her stupid brown eyes, but I am back to where I was three months ago.

Wishing that I could have her.

Wishing that I was enough for her.

Wishing she wasn’t my best friend’s little sister.

My brain completely forgot how to act like a normal human being tonight, and my selfish tendencies when it comes to Mia came back in full force.

We’re supposed to be friends. That is what we agreed on.

That is whatshewanted.

Right?

I am right back to where I started.

But why does it have to feel so fucking good?

“I’m first!” Annie announces when we are taken to our karaoke room. She heads straight for the binder of songs.

Karaoke MKE is one of the places where you rent a room with friends, and you can drink and sing to your heart’s content.

“No,we’refirst,” Mateo interjects, and it looks like the bet between Luke and Mia is void.

Mateo and Annie choose “Breaking Free” fromHigh School Musical, but, because it’s Annie, she wants to sing Troy’s part. Their rendition is entertaining, but it is also actually good, which is to be expected by the lead singer of a band and a retired theater kid. Annie is a hidden gem when it comes to talents, being one of those people that is good at so many things, singing being one of them.

Theo and Silas each sing a Bruno Mars song, “Locked Out of Heaven” for Theo and “Runaway Baby” for Silas. Drew and Annie convince Mia to sing “676” by Fetty Wap, Monty, and Remy Boyz.

Mia just recently got back into her music scene, so I was a little nervous about how tonight was going to go for her. I shouldn’t be surprised that she is completely fine, holding her own, as always. She couldn’t be cuter on stage, the dim lights of the private room not completely hiding the feelings she wears on her chest.

I find it so interesting that her and Mateo are so different when it comes to music, Mateo being so creative when it comes to making it; Mia being so receptive and appreciative when it comes to enjoying it.

I watch as she shyly holds the microphone to her mouth as the song starts, and as the lyrics run across the screen in front of her, I watch her confidence grow. Mia, Drew, and Annie all scream the lyrics at the top of their lungs by the time they are at the first chorus, jumping around and singing to each other, and me and the guys watch with pure enjoyment on our faces.

The three of them together is like nothing I’ve ever seen before, complimenting each other in ways that make each of them their best selves when together, and I’m so happy Mia found that.

You don’t get that close in three months without a true connection, and these three have it.

“Your turn!” Mia says, handing me the microphone when her song finishes.

“Only if you sing with me,” I argue. I didn’t think those would be the words out of my mouth, but, once they’re out, I don’t want to take them back.

She narrows her eyes at me because she has a way of reading me, knowing that I probably have some ulterior motive.

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