Page 10 of Hard Rock Love

“Why, were you hoping to be seen hanging out with a rock star?” Seth teased. “That would certainly score you points with the cool kids. Everyone would be talking about you.”

“I don’t need any more of that,” I muttered.

Seth cocked his head at me. “What?”

“Nothing,” I said. “What do you want to get from the canteen?”

Seth studied me, but didn't comment further.

We both decided to get sandwiches, ham and cheddar for me, an egg salad sandwich for him. I tried not to make a face at his choice, but he noticed.

“Don’t like eggs?” he asked.

“I’m just not sure how much I’d trust an egg sandwich from a college canteen,” I said. “Who knows how long it’s been sitting there.”

Seth unwrapped his sandwich and opened his mouth so wide it was like he’d unhinged his jaw. He took a huge bite, devouring half the thing in one go. He chewed, made one of those mmmm sounds of delight, and rubbed his stomach as if to say,delicious.

I couldn’t help but laugh as I unwrapped my own sandwich.

I liked Seth. He was funny. He was cute.

He was also hot as sin and caused my skin to burst into flames when he touched me.

But putting that aside for a second, I was really enjoying his company.

He finished his sandwich in three more bites, then balled up the wrapper.

“You gonna need help finishing that?” he asked me, nodding to my own sandwich.

“Mine, not yours,” I said, hoarding my sandwich like a prized treasure.

Now it was Seth’s turn to laugh.

“I know it’s been years since we’ve hung out, but it kind of feels like no time has passed at all.” His expression turned serious for once. “I’m sorry we lost touch after everything went down with Ever and Julian.”

“It’s okay.” It wasn’t an apology I was expecting, and it warmed my heart to get it. “Things got pretty intense. I get that you didn’t want to stick around.”

“So what have you been up to in all this time?” he asked.

“Mostly studying,” I said. “I got scholarships to help with school, but I need to keep my grades up to continue getting them. Of course, now that Everly’s band thing has taken off, she’s offered to help pay for tuition. I don’t want to take her money, though. She worked hard for it.”

“Yeah, things have been pretty crazy, with two bands and the tour and the album and everything,” Seth agreed.

“Everly mentioned the tour,” I said.

Seth’s eyes lit up. “Yeah! It’s this multi-band music festival thing. We still haven’t heard back who’s headlining. Cerise is praying they choose us, but I don’t know if that’s going to happen.”

“I think Everly’s been kind of sad about it. She can’t go along with Julian since she’s also working at that music store,” I said. “She’s been made manager. The owner’s talked about handing it over to her when he retires.”

“I heard about that,” Seth said.

“She always loved working there as a teenager,” I said. “It makes her happy to be surrounded by music, whether she’s making it herself or helping other people make it.”

“She does have that passion,” Seth said.

“Despite the stress, I haven’t seen her as happy as this for years,” I said.

“Yeah, she’s doing good,” Seth said. “But I want to hear about you. How are you doing?”