Page 82 of Before We're More Than Friends
“Then why else would he drop me?”
Good question. “I don’t know. But I do know you deserve . . .” I swallowed, the blood rushing back to my cheeks. “You deserve someone who’s honest and doesn’t run away from things.”
And he isn’t me, who has every opportunity to tell you the truth but won’t take it.
Raina nodded, studying my face like she wasn’t sure where I was coming from. “Thank you.” She brushed a hand through her hair. “Back on topic, I do miss singing to my parents and spending time as a family.”
“I’m sorry,” I said.
“There’s nothing I can do to change it.” Raina sighed, her gaze wandering off into space again. “You know, maybe I will go to the band practice tomorrow. I don’t know, maybe having something to work toward will help get my mind off everything.” Her eyes met mine again. “Want to come too?”
After this conversation? Hell no. “I’ll think about it.” I rubbed behind Sunshine’s ears before looking at my watch. “Shoot, we went five minutes over play time.”
“Aw, I was having fun.” Raina got Moonlight off her lap before standing up. Moonlight let out a distressed meow. “Okay, kitties, time to go back into the cage.”
I got Sunshine out of my lap, and she let out a smaller meow, looking up at me with sad eyes. I rubbed her head. “I know, girl. We’ll play again Sunday, okay?”
She meowed again and rubbed against my leg.I’ll wait until then.
Despite my best efforts, I hadn’t been able to shake Hayden’s and Raina’s words out of my mind. After songwriting until I’d fallen asleep, I’d texted Hayden for Oliver’s address in the morning.
Now I rang the Landers’ doorbell, my rhythm guitar strapped around me. I hoped I wasn’t too late. Hayden said they usually started at one, and it was already a quarter after.
A giant man with dirty-blond hair opened the door, and I stepped out of the way. “One of Oliver’s friends?” he asked, looking down at me with his piercing blue eyes. He made my six-foot-one frame feel like nothing.
I nodded, extending my arm. “I’m Dallas. Nice to meet you.”
He shook my hand. “Silas Landers. Oliver’s in the garage with his bandmates.” He let me inside the house and led me into the laundry room. He opened the door, revealing a big garage. Hayden, Oliver, Caleb, Sienna, Arielle, and Raina sat on the beanbags, clapping for two little blonde girls as they performed a routine in their blue cheer uniforms.
“Hey, one of your friends is here,” Mr. Landers said before closing the laundry room door, leaving me with everyone else.
Oliver turned around and smiled. “I thought you weren’t coming.” His gaze traveled to my guitar. “And you came prepared.”
“This doesn’t mean I changed my mind,” I said as I took in the garage. It was decked out in fairy lights and posters, instruments and beanbags scattered across the place. There was even a TV with a cable box and two gaming consoles, a few controllers sitting on the ground.
“Are you sure?” Hayden asked, beaming as his eyes lit up. “Because your whole presence says otherwise.”
“I wanted to at least try.” My gaze went to Raina, who was also grinning at me. She gave me a wink, and the back of my neck prickled.Screw you, neck.
“Who is this?” one of the blonde girls asked, stepping closer to study me. She was tall but looked no older than six. “Did one of the girls finally get a boyfriend?”
“Hey!” Arielle shouted. “It’s okay that we don’t hop around like your brother.”
“Yes, because I’m a bunny in relationships,” Oliver muttered, his face pinching. “But no, this is our new addition to the group, Dallas.”
“Hey, Dallas,” the shorter girl said as she stepped up. “I’m Bella, competitive cheerleader.”
I smiled, giving her a fist bump. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“Do you have a girlfriend, Dallas?” the taller girl asked.
“Mollie,” Oliver hissed. “Get out of here.”
“It’s not for me!” Mollie threw her hands up. “I was just wondering because he looks . . .” Her eyes traveled from my face to my chest. “Likethat.”
“Gosh, you’re so embarrassing!” Bella said. “He’s notthathot.”
“Well, ouch.” I put a hand to my chest, laughing out of embarrassment.
