Page 178 of Before We're More Than Friends
“Don’t have too much fun staring,” Raina said, her beautiful eyes teasing me.
Blood rushed to my cheeks. How long had I been eyeing her like she was a dessert? “I-I—sorry, you just look very?—”
“Beautiful? Sexy?”
“Both.” I pressed my lips against hers for a few moments. “And everything in between.”
Gosh, I couldn’t wait until the competition was over so I could give her the gift I couldn’t contain my excitement about. I knew it would melt her heart the way she melted mine whenever she looked at me.
“There’s something I have for you after our performance,” Iwhispered as she wrapped her arms around me in a hug, my chest pressing against hers. “I think you’re going to love it.”
“Really?” She pulled back, her eyes lighting up. “Because I have something for you, too.”
My stomach leaped. “I can’t wait.” And I really couldn’t.
Man, as fun as this would be, I wanted to get this anxiety fest over with.
“Keep yourselves under control now,” Arielle said as she walked up behind us. She wore almost the exact thing as Raina, only with red and gold. The Vermonts really were the most stunning twins on the planet.
Hayden swallowed near me, probably fighting hard not to stare at Arielle.
“We will,” Raina promised, though her eyes said other things. “We have business to do.”
After what felt like centuries, Battle of the Bands finally started. We were the sixth band to perform, which meant we still had a while before we could relieve ourselves from this torture. During our wait time, we played UNO until we got tired of Sienna beating us, made bets on how many girls would ask for Oliver’s number, and took selfies.
But the hardest part was restraining myself from pulling Raina into that corner to make out.
Just when I thought the wait couldn’t end, Everett Tate, the lead guitarist from Somewhere in the Sky, came out with his clipboard while Joker Avenue performed. “Like Airplanes, you’re up next.” His hazel gaze traveled to us. “Good luck.”
“Thank you,” Hayden said with a smile. “We’re huge fans of your music. We love all your performances.”
“Nice.” Everett barely cracked a smile before going into the crowd again.
“Ouch,” Hayden said. “Guess he’s busy.”
“Don’t let it get to you,” I told him. “I don’t think he’s a people person.”
When we got on stage, where our instruments were, Ivan introduced us to the crowd. My hearing was muffled from how hard my pulse was pounding in my ears, my head dizzy. How the heck did Somewhere in the Sky do this every week with such a big crowd?
Then again, I doubted they had been in a competition like this. And if they had, they’d aced it.
When I focused on the audience, I recognized the familiar faces in the crowd. Mollie and Bella held a sign up that said “FLY LIKE AIRPLANES” with pictures of airplanes around the words. Their parents both had big smiles and waved at us. It was the first time I’d seen Mr. Landers smile, and I could tell that Oliver hadn’t only gotten his warm grin from his mom.
Beside the Landers were the Rowans, Sienna’s family. Adam and Emma—she had no problem correcting me when I’d called her Eve—also held up a sign that said “LIKE AIRPLANES’S #1 FANS.” Two men and a woman, who I assumed were Sienna’s aunt, uncle, and dad, stood near them with smiles.
My gaze went over to my family, and that was when I noticed a boy with brown hair and eyes wave at me.
No freaking way.
“Toby!” I shouted, forgetting that I had my mic on. A static sound rippled through the café. My cheeks flushed, and a few of my bandmates chuckled. “Sorry,” I said to the audience as they covered their ears.
Toby chuckled and saluted me.
When the lights dimmed, I drew in one last breath and strummed on my rhythm guitar before singing the first verse. Instead of imagining the audience was in their underwear, I focused on the lyrics and the emotion.
Before I knew it, I reached the first chorus. I took better control of my voice as I sang from my chest, channeling my old feelings for Raina in the moment. We’d kept the old part of the song, Caleb’s keyboard taking the lead, but I knew the happier part was coming.
“Because I’m such a disaster.
