Page 187 of Next to Everything We Wanted

I blinked in surprise as we started performing “Disaster.” What did he mean he didn’t need to look for one? Was it because dating around was the only thing he was interested in?

Or had he already found her?

My mind went back to him and Kami hugging at the shelter in June. I thought about my conversation with him on Saturday, where he’d said that he wasn’t alone. Was there something going on between them that we didn’t know about?

It wasn’t any of my business. My bandmates still had no idea about Gavin’s real identity—unless they’d connected the dots themselves and hadn’t shared their suspicions with me. It was alright, even necessary, to keep some things close to the chest.

I absorbed myself in the song, pushing any wandering thoughts about Oliver’s love life away. It was wild that just three days ago, I’d broken down backstage after closing with this song. I’d thought my love story with Gavin was destined to be the firstpart of the song, not an ounce of hope left, except our love story had gone from a disaster to a dream come true.

Our pasts no longer had a hold on us.

When our performance was over, my bandmates and I went backstage to cool off.

“I can’t believe we’ve done so much this summer,” Hayden said, his eyes glistening. “I’m not ready for it to end.” He wrapped an arm around Caleb. “I’m not ready for you to leave.”

“And I’m not ready for you to burst into tears like a baby,” Caleb said. “You’re not a pretty crier.”

Hayden rolled his eyes. “I’m a prettier crier than you.”

I shook my head. “We need to throw you a going away party, Caleb.”

“My mom is already doing that.” Caleb sighed. “Which means she’s probably inviting people I don’t know or like.”

“We finally get to do something at your house?” Oliver asked.

Dallas let out an excited gasp. “And swim in your pool?”

“And eat your dad’s hamburgers?” Hayden added, even more excited than Dallas.

Caleb glared at the guys. “Gold diggers much?”

Oliver held up his hands. “Well, what’s the point of being rich if your friends barely hang out at your house?”

Raina and Arielle exchanged an eyeroll, used to him saying the same thing to them.

“You did so amazing, Sienna,” Arielle said as she hugged me. “Yourmancouldn’t keep his eyes off you.”

“As he should,” Raina said with a grin, wiggling her eyebrows at me.

I giggled. “Thanks, guys.”

After talking for a few minutes, my bandmates went out into the crowd. I was about to join them when I noticed that Caleb had stayed back, sitting on the couch.

“Are you okay?” I asked, sitting beside him. “You’re not bullying us like you usually do.”

“Oh.” He pushed his glasses up his nose. “I’m just a little tired.”

He did look tired, his blue eyes not as open as usual. But there was something else in them that I usually didn’t see. Something that looked like . . . nerves.

“Are you nervous about going to NYC?” I asked.

“Me? Nervous?” He scoffed. “That’s not possible.”

“I know you love riding your high horse, but you’re just as capable of getting nervous as the rest of us.”

He scratched the back of his neck. “It’s not that I’mnervous. Getting prepared is stressful. Everyone keeps making a big deal about it, like I’m going off into the military or something. Don’t even get me started on how chaotic it’s made my family.” He sighed. “And since my mom is hosting the going away party, I know she’s going all out.”

“Typical Mrs. Branch,” I muttered. “Hopefully we’ll still have time to give you a better going away party.” An idea popped into my mind, and I fought a grin. I had to tell the others later. Maybe even get Gavin and his friends involved.