Page 57 of Next to Everything We Wanted

Before I could say anything else, he took my hand. My pulse went haywire as warmth spread up my arm.

“Oh, sorry, I wasn’t . . .” Gavin dropped my hand and brushed his off on his pants, causing my heart to sink. “I just wanted to walk together.”

I reached for his hand again before remembering that I was dancing around dangerous territory—he had a girlfriend, and more likely, he wasn’t looking for a side chick. If that was what he was looking for, peace out. “It’s fine.”

He cleared his throat before leading me to his car, a silver Lexus. I was going to be in freaking Gavin/Ivan Hicks’ car. Completelycrazy. Excitement coursed through my veins as I got in.

Though the outside of his car had been spotless, bags were scattered across the backseat. I could only imagine what his trunk looked like.

“Do you live in here or something?” I asked as I buckled myself. “And sweet ride.” Either his parents spoiled him, or his band was doing a lot better than I’d thought.

“Shoot, I was supposed to move that,” Gavin said as he glanced at the backseat. “Those are gifts for my family. Rejected Somewhere in the Sky merch, copies of unreleased songs, and some other things mixed in there. I didn’t have any space in my room, so I brought it here until I cleaned out my closet.”

“That’s a lot of gifts. Where does your family live?”

“California,” he said as he started driving. “Four hours from here, across the desert. The drive is tedious, especially with the lack of rest stops and gas stations, but visiting them is always worth it.”

I smiled, taking in the sweet ocean smell of the car. It reminded me of the cologne he usually wore. “That’s sweet. I’d see my family often if I lived far away.”

“Your parents would probably love that.”

My spirits dimmed. “Parent.”

“Crap.” He groaned. “I already messed up. I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. My dad and I are tied to the hip.” I fiddled with one of my bracelets.

“That’s a pretty bracelet,” Gavin said, changing the topic. “What brand is it? My mom would love something like that.”

“Raina made it.” Pride welled in my chest for my best friend. “She has her own small business, Raining Gems. I wear a lot of her products.”

“That’s really cool. I’ve always admired people who can manage their own—” A car cut us off, and Gavin cursed. He honked the horn and slammed the brakes, causing us to jerk forward. “Sheesh, I can’t even look away from the road for one second.”

“That’s the point. Don’t get us killed on our first date.” I gulped. “I mean, first friend date. That’s still a date. Just for friends.”

“Really?” Gavin grinned. “I didn’t know friend dates involved friendship. The name sends mixed signals.”

I snorted, thinking about the text he’d sent me last night. “Remember that episode ofVictoriouswhere Tori and Beck went on an opposite date to clarify it wasn’t romantic?”

“Didn’t they wear awful clothes and eat at a food truck?” He laughed. “I think going to a concert in polished clothes is better than that.”

“Well, it’s somewhere along the lines of that emotionally.”

“We’re emotionally going to a food truck?”

I grinned back at him. “You’re killing me.”

“At least it’s not my driving that’s doing so.”

I leaned my head back as we listened to his Whiteout playlist, singing along. This friendship date was going to be the date of my dreams. Though, I wished it could’ve been a real date. Man, that’d besweet.

He has a girlfriend, Sienna. A nice, stunning girlfriend.

I’d noticed that last night seemed different, though. They’d barely looked at each other, and when they had, it’d seemed stiff. Maybe they’d fought. That happened to couples all the time, right?

After half an hour, Gavin pulled up into the parking deck. We’d arrived before the opening acts performed, so parking wasn’t too wild yet. We walked into the theater, and I had to restrain myself from brushing my fingers against his. I’d loved the way his hand felt in mine for the split second he’d held it.

How many times do I have to remind myself that we’re just friends?