Page 141 of Before We're More Than Friends
“If I can battle my stage fright, I can battle anything.”
His lips pursed. “I used to be in Joker Avenue.”
My mouth dropped. “What?”
“I joined freshman year. I used to be their drummer before they replaced me with freaking Jaxon Reeves.” He ran a hand through his braids, his muscles tensing. “Eddie Santiago, the lead singer, was Arielle’s boyfriend for a hot minute. But then he became an asshat, and when I caught him cheating on her with Lauren Douglas—the guitarist—Arielle dumped him right away. Eddie wanted me to help win her back, but I refused, so he kicked me out of the band. No warning. Just boom.” He made a kicking motion with his leg. “I was devastated, even though I knew it was for the best. My best friend comes first.”
“I’m so sorry,” I said. “But I’m glad you stood up for Arielle.”
He swallowed. “Eddie thought I did it because I wanted Arielle for myself, but I . . .” He looked away from me. “I likedsomeone else.”
“Wait . . .” My chest knotted up. “Y-You don’t mean Raina, do you?”
“I don’t like her anymore,” he rushed to say. “Trust me, I was waiting for you to get together this whole time.” He offered a smile. “It was always you, Dallas.”
“Thank you.” I looked down at my bracelet, my cheeks warming. “But what happened with Raina?”
“Well, I know it’s stupid, but I asked out the wrong twin. I kept quiet about it, which didn’t end well.” He shook his head. “That’s why I wanted you to tell the truth before it was too late.”
“I understand.” I paused. “Wait, so do you have feelings for Arielle or not?” From the way he looked at her with longing in his eyes, it seemed like he had alotof them.
“I didn’t at first,” Hayden said. “Then I realized how freaking amazing she was. But hiding the truth on top of the Eddie situation . . .” He shook his head. “It’s a mess to explain. But that band was my chance to prove myself to them, but it failed. I need this second chance.” He scratched the back of his neck. “I’m sorry I come off strong. It just messes me up inside when I think about failing again.”
I frowned, hurting for the guy who was usually so excited about music. “I’m sorry that you’re going through all that. But we’re all determined to do our band justice.”
“Thank you.” He smiled. “I don’t want this band to be all about me, though.” He brushed a hand through his braids again. “Sometimes I can be over the top. The boys and Sienna get on me about it a lot.”
Worry tightened my chest. Was that what they had been fighting about earlier this week? “I understand where you’re coming from. Though I do wish you were happy.”
“I am. I’m just . . . sometimes I feel like a disaster.”
“We all do.” It reminded me of how Kami would calm medown when I was upset. “But we’ve come so far in the past few weeks.”
“Yeah, you used to be an anxious wreck.” He laughed.
“Who says I’m not anymore?”
“You’ve improved so much. I feel like being around people who you love can help you calm your nerves. It helps me.”
“You’re right,” I said, my chest warming as I thought about how much I loved everyone on stage with me. How much the moonlight in Raina’s eyes lit me up inside. “There’s nothing better than that.”
CHAPTER 34
Raina
Dallas and I made plans to go to the dog park Sunday evening to song-write and play with our dogs. This time, Dallas packed dog toys into his backpack for Houston and Penrose.
“I think she likes him more,” I said as Penrose sniffed Houston’s butt. “She isn’t barking as much today.”
“He’s a really great dog, Penrose.” Dallas rubbed Houston’s head. “He just slobbers a lot.”
I giggled. “At least he doesn’t crush your chest.” I pressed my hand to his firm chest, feeling his heartbeat through his green sweater. “Maybe because it’s so strong.”
“Thank you.” Even in the dark, I could see his cheeks flush in their usual fashion. My heart skipped a beat. Who allowed him to be so adorable when flustered? “I used to work out in Dallas. I need to get back to it.” He grinned, his mouth close to my ear. “Especially if you like it.”
I grinned back and gave him a quick peck on the lips. He kissed me back before we took our dogs off their leashes and got them ready to play.
“You know, when we first started writing to each other, Iused to think about how fun it would be to go to this park with you,” I said as I tossed a ball at the dogs. Penrose caught it and brought it back to me. “I always imagined what it’d be like if you were here with Houston.”
