Page 43 of Next to Everything We Wanted

“Thank you.” He gave me a small smile, though I knew something was still wrong. He got up from the table and cleaned his dishes, not saying another word.

Friday night hadn’t been the worst thing, compared to our past few performances. For the first time in a while, I was able to block my thoughts out and just do what I had to do—sing and play my guitar. It seemed so simple, something that used to be natural to me, but my energy drained much quicker now.

“Thank you very much!” I exclaimed into the mic after we finished our outro song. “It’s been another fantastic evening with you, What Do You Beaners. See you next Friday!”

The crowd cheered, twirling napkins in the air as if we were on a cruise.

I grinned, warmth filling my insides. This was what I’d wanted to feel after performing. This was exactly what I’d fought for.

As soon as I put my guitar down and nodded at my bandmates, I moved through the crowd of people who wanted to talk to me, approaching that table of smiling faces. Sienna ducked low in her seat before Raina smacked her arm and brought her up.

I smiled at Sienna, and she grinned back, though it looked like she was trying hard not to laugh. Or cry. I didn’t have a great read on her yet.

“Hey,” I said. “I’m glad to see you tonight.”

“Me too,” she said shyly, her cheeks flushing. “No, not me, you. I’m glad to see you, too.”

I laughed before taking one of her napkins and scribbling my phone number on it. “Hopefully you’ll be glad to have this, too.” I placed the napkin back down in front of her. “Have a great evening.” I nodded at everyone before winking at Sienna and walking away.

While leaving, my brain registered what I’d done. I’d just given her my number in front of her friends like I didn’t have a care in the world. I gave someone mynumber. I only shared that if I had to. I didn’t even have a custom voicemail message on it.

And now it was in a girl’s hands.

I debated turning around and taking the number back, but when I looked over my shoulder, Sienna’s amber eyes were bigger than saucers. I snorted before going backstage. That woulddefinitelybe worth the risk.

CHAPTER 12

Sienna

Was it possible to stop breathing but still be alive? Because I was almost positive that my lungs had forgotten how to work.

My hands shook as I studied the paper in them. Gavin/Ivan Hicks had given me his freaking phone number. His personal, real phone number.

Yeah, I wasn’t breathing.

Raina put her hand on my shoulder. “Deep breaths. Inhale and exhale.”

“How can you expect me to breathe?” I placed the paper on the table, still gawking at it. “He just gave me his number and walked away. How could he do that?”

“Some guys are like that,” Dallas said with a shrug. “I don’t really get it. Maybe because I’m not cool.”

Raina scoffed. “You don’t have to be cool to be an amazing guy.”

Dallas’s cheeks turned red. “Obviously, or else I’d be screwed.”

I shook my head, smiling at them. “I have no idea what to do.”

Emma glanced at the slip of paper. “I thought phone numbers were for calling and texting.”

I rolled my eyes. “I know what they’re for, smart-behind. I didn’t expect him to give me his. We’re not even friends.” My gaze went to where Gavin had walked backstage. Was he playing tricks on me? Or had calming him down on Monday meant something to him?

“Don’t question it,” Hayden said. “I mean, you get to be friends with Ivan freaking Hicks. It’s like finding a one-hundred-dollar bill on the ground.”

“Or when Caleb doesn’t eat your favorite chips,” Dallas said.

Hayden grinned. “Exactly. Enjoy it for what it is.”

I folded the piece of paper and stuffed it in my purse. “I will.”