Page 71 of Catch Me If You Can

She gasps, happily. “You’d chase me all the way to Australia?”

“I’ll always be one step behind you. You can’t outrun me forever,” I wink.

“Ugh, that’d be creepy if I didn’t love you so much,” she says, wrapping her arms around me again. I pull her in for a tight hug. I’m really going to miss her, but I know we’ll both be okay.

“Caleb, we’re starting up,” Tony calls, tugging at my arm. I glance back at Sarah, who gives me a little wave and smile before walking off. I follow Tony toward our makeshift “stage area.”

I step up to the mic and look out over the crowd. Everyone’s caught up in their own little world—and it kind of hurts. All I can think about is looking out and finding a pair of green eyes out there, locked on me. I miss those emerald eyes.

“Testing, testing,” I say into the mic. The crowd quiets, and all eyes shift toward the band. This is what I love—being center stage.

“Thanks for coming to this rocking party, thrown by the beautiful, wonderful Sarah Lockwood. Everyone give it up for Sarah!” I shout into the mic. The crowd erupts in applause and cheers.

“I want to take a second to thank this amazing girl for being such a special part of all our lives. You’ve taught me so much and helped shape who I am today.” I grab the vodka Sprite I left at the side of the stage and raise it.

“To Sarah,” I say into the mic. Everyone echoes it and chants her name. I find her in the crowd and she beams at me. “May you find all that you’re looking for.”

I tip my glass toward her and take a big swig.

“Okay, now... let’s PARTY!” I shout.

The audience erupts as the band kicks things off with our first song.

30

nathan

“It should be right up here. I hear music,” I say, stepping up the staircase that leads to the rooftop.

Theo is right behind me, keeping in step.

“Dude, you look great. If Caleb’s here, he’s gonna love what you’re wearing. And those glasses were a nice touch,” Theo says.

“The more you talk, the more I question if you’re actually straight. Are you hitting on me?”

“Dude can’t compliment another dude without it being a thing? Grow up,” Theo laughs.

I laugh with him. He’s right, though…as much as I hate to admit it, I specifically picked out this outfit in hopes that a certain someone might show up tonight.

I’m wearing a white T-shirt under a ribbed, navy, long-sleeve button-up—left open, of course—and a pair of black jeans. I know Caleb would like something like this. It’s so similar to what I wore the night at Sweeties club.My mind flutters back to that damn bathroom stall.

I’m glad Theo is here. He keeps my mind from spiraling. I’ve been trying to push Caleb out of my thoughts, but that’s hard to do when everything reminds me of him.

Then I hear it. As we step through the door to the rooftop patio, we walk into a crowd. It’s packed.

But all I can focus on are the lyrics floating through the air—and more importantly, the voice singing them.

“Holy shit. They’re good,” Theo shouts over the music.

“That’s him.” I say, eyes locked on the stage. I can’t look away. He looks incredible. His long black hair falls in his face, his chest bare and glistening with sweat under his open black shirt, swaying in the breeze. He runs a hand through his hair, flipping his locks to one side as he tilts his head, swaying to the music while his fingers pluck at the strings of his guitar. I nearly crumble right then and there.

I step to the side for a better view, and Theo follows.

“Holy shit. You didn’t tell me he looks likethat.”

“I guess I left that part out,” I mutter, stuffing my hands in my pockets. Suddenly, I’m wildly nervous. Caleb looks like a nineties heartthrob, and here I am. Why did he ever like me? He could haveanyonehe wanted. No wonder he hasn’t called me back.

“Hey. Get out of your head,” Theo says, gripping my shoulder. I glance at him, trying to ground myself in the present.

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