Page 122 of Next to Everything We Wanted
When you deserve a chance to stay.
I’m scared out of my mind
But I can’t walk away
When I know I feel this way.
I won’t walk away
From the best chance of my life
With you and those amber eyes.”
Gavin’s eyes stayed locked with mine for the entire song. He belted every word like it was as easy as breathing. His smile was bright enough to light up the whole room, no stage lights needed.
And it was all for me.
He still wanted me.
And I wanted him so badly it burned.
When the song finished, I couldn’t stay seated anymore. Emma let me out of the booth, and I nearly tripped over my own feet as I went to the front of the stage. Every set of eyes rested on me, but right now, Gavin and I were the only people who mattered.
Everett held out his hand and helped me onto the stage.
“Thank you,” I told him, my hands trembling.
“Of course.” He smiled at me, and, for the first time, it seemed genuine.
My body flushed with heat as I stood in front of Gavin. Gosh, I was so glad I didn’t look like trash.
“I hope you liked the song,” he said, his low voice sending a tingle down my spine. I’d missed his voice so much. Missed the way he looked at me. “I meant every word of it.”
“I-I loved it.” I swallowed before facing the audience. “Hey, everyone,” I said into Gavin’s microphone. “I didn’t know Edge of the Earth canceled. I’m kind of bummed because I was told that their lead singer is way hotter than Ivan.”
The crowd let out a collective laugh. The twins giggled from their seats as my bandmates made funny faces at me. I had to get them back for this.
Gavin beamed at me, wiping sweat from his temple. “Trust me, this took a lot of balls—er, guts, but it’s worth it. You needed to see how much you mean to me.” He held my hand, his warm fingers curling into mine. “I’m sorry for what I did. All of it.”
I squeezed his hand. “I’m sorry, too. I understand why you did what you did.”
“What did he do?” someone shouted.
Gavin faced the audience. “I told her I hated coffee.”
The crowd let out gasps, some people booing Gavin and giving him a thumbs-down.
Gavin laughed. “Yeah, I know. But I realized how good coffee was, and now I’m addicted to it.”
I wasn’t exactly sure what the metaphor meant, yet it still made my lips curve in a smile. “As you should.”
He grinned at me before clearing his throat. “Since you haven’t run away screaming?—”
“I still have a chance,” I said, causing the audience to laugh again.
He rolled his eyes. “If you don’t run away screaming, will you still be my girlfriend?”
Butterflies took flight in my stomach as my body filled with heat. “Of course.”
