Page 160 of Before We're More Than Friends
He returned the smile. “But regardless of Battle of the Bands, you mean so much to me, Dallas. I . . . The past few years have been rough, but you’ve made me—and all our friends—so freaking happy. You’re the best friend to be around, whether we’re eating behind a dumpster or singing Somewhere in the Sky songs at What Do You Bean. I hope you’ll believe that.”
I bit my lip, not sure if I could. Everything about his body language made it feel like he was telling the truth, but whatwasthe catch?
He must’ve picked up on my suspicion because he said, “I tried to withdraw from Battle of the Bands yesterday, but they moved the drop-out date from today to Monday. But I’m not asking you to come back because I know everyone else is done with me.”
I stared at the floor, trying to collect my thoughts. As much as my fight with Hayden hurt, it crushed me that our band had ended so soon. “I’m sorry your dream fell apart.”
“I shouldn’t be surprised—I’ve been kicked out of four bands.” He sighed. “Are you and Raina still good?”
I frowned. “Not anymore.”
“Really?” His eyebrows arched. “What happened?”
“She says I don’t know anything, either.” My chest ached as her words rebounded in my head. “Guess I don’t.”
“It was wrong for us to say that,” Hayden said. “But why did she?”
“She had an awful day and took it out on me because I didn’t agree with how she treated others.” I sucked in a breath. “So yeah, we’re not talking.” Not broken up, but definitely not talking.
“I’m sorry. I know things were going well before.” His gaze traveled to my lips, and the corner of his tilted. “Superwell.”
Warmth rose to my cheeks. “Life is cruel.”
He nodded. “So where do we stand?”
I put my textbooks into my backpack. “I don’t know,” I said. “But I’m sorry I was also a jerk and assumed you only wanted to be my friend to put me in your band.”
“No, I understand.” He waved a hand. “So . . .”
“I forgive you.” I sighed. “But do not turn into Haywire Hayden again.”
“Haywire Hayden?” He snorted. “That’s a new one.”
I smiled. “You can’t deny that it’s fitting.”
The bell rang, and Hayden gave me a short hug. “Thank you.”
“For saying you’re haywire?”
He rolled his eyes. “For still wanting to be friends. And for listening to me.”
My smile grew as I closed my locker. “You’re strategic with persuading people, even if you don’t see it.”
Oliver and Caleb beat us to our spot at lunch, but it didn’t discourage Hayden from approaching them. On the other hand, my knees were knocking together as I walked behind him. I wasn’t ready to see howthiswould go down.
“He returns so soon,” Caleb said flatly as Hayden slid against the wall to sit down.
“We’re not joining the band again,” Oliver said, holding up his sandwich. “Save your persuading.”
“I wasn’t going to persuade,” Hayden said.
“Dallas can save it, too.”
“Hey.” I held up my hands. “I have nothing to do with his persuading habits.”
“I already decided that even though I can’t drop out of Battle of the Bands, we’re not showing up anyway,” Hayden said. “Caleb, I’m sorry I didn’t support you like I should’ve when you applied for Apple of the Arts. I shouldn’t have made it about me. Our band may be over, but I don’t want to lose you as a friend over this.” He looked at Oliver. “And I don’t want to lose you, either.”
Caleb and Oliver exchanged wary looks before Caleb said, “No catch?”
