Page 147 of Next to Everything We Wanted

Ellis fluffed his shaggy hair. “It’s too great for you.”

Celeste sighed. “If I ever end up with Ellis, it means I’ve given up on life. Just throw me in a ditch.”

“Ouch.” Ellis put a hand to his chest. “No need to be hurtful.”

I laughed, my heart swelling. It’d been so long since we’d joked around like this, enjoying each other’s company. After the past few months of drama and anxiety, we were finally at our best again.

While we were chatting, my phone buzzed in my pocket.

Sienna

I’m here with my friends, waiting by the stage

Come by so I can wish you good luck

“I’ll be right back,” I told my bandmates before leaving the room.

After searching the club for Sienna, I found her dancing with her friends while the DJ played music. Her long hair flowed, some of it pulled into a neat bun like she’d worn it on ourfirst date. Her gold top shimmered, making her noticeable from many feet away.

I moved through the crowd and smiled at her. “Hey, I didn’t know the club raised its hotness limit.” I cringed. That wassonot smooth.

Sienna giggled, pink blooming across her cheeks. “I thought they raised it so you could be allowed in.”

My own cheeks warmed, and I kissed her, stroking my hands through her dark hair. Man, how did she get it so soft? I could touch it for hours.

“I hope you’re ready for an amazing three hours,” I said when we broke out of the kiss.

“I sure am.” She smiled, though her face pinched.

I frowned. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” She slung her arms over my shoulders, her body rocking with mine. “Just a little nervous.”

“I’m the one who should be nervous.” I nodded to the crowd. “I’m the person singing in front of all these people.”

“Well, I’m nervous for you.” She slipped one hand to my chest, feeling my erratic heartbeat. “Whatever you feel, I feel it too.”

“Saying stuff like that to me makes me want to dance with you all night,” I murmured.

Her red lips curved in a smile. “It’s the truth.”

As I danced with her, I looked over at her friends. Dallas and Raina weren’t dancing that much, but they had their hands all over each other. Oliver was on his phone, grinning at whoever he was texting. Hayden and Arielle busted out moves together, receiving applause from Caleb and some other people. And, man, the looks they gave each other were way more than friendly.

“Everyone seems to be having a good time,” I told Sienna as she rested her head on my chest.

“We never really go to clubs or anything,” she said. “If you’ll be performing here more, we might have to change that.”

When it was time to go on stage, right before seven, we walked over to our instruments. I strapped my guitar over myself, trying to stop my heart from skyrocketing out of my chest.You can do this. It’s just like performing at What Do You Bean. It’s second nature.

I cleared my throat before speaking into the microphone, channeling my nerves into excitement. “Hello, Moonlight Loungers!”

The audience went wild, and a wave of energy surged through my veins.

Sienna stood out to me in the front of the crowd, she and her friends having huge smiles on their faces. Those amber eyes locked with mine, and the rest of my nerves fizzled in an instant.

“We’re Somewhere in the Sky, and we’re here to give you an incredible night!” I shouted into the microphone, causing more cheers. “This first song goes out to my beautiful girlfriend who has supported us every step of the way. This is ‘Can’t Walk Away.’”

Even from a distance, I could see Sienna’s cheeks flush as she beamed at me. Raina wiggled her eyebrows at her, but she wasn’t even looking. Her eyes stayed trained on me as I sang from the depths of my chest, each word flowing out of my mouth.