Page 59 of Next to Everything We Wanted

When we were done bumping into people to get to our seats, Gavin started the conversation again. “So, do you have any relationship stories to share? They’re probably more interesting than mine.”

“Then I’m sorry to tell you that they’re not.” I laughed. “The only person I’ve dated is my lab partner from seventh grade. We were together for two months, which seemed serious at the time, but it really wasn’t. We spent more time kissing while the teacher wasn’t paying attention than anything. Then he dumped me because he was bored—on Valentine’s Day. Shattered my little thirteen-year-old heart.”

“Dang, I’m sorry he did that. I had a similar relationship when I was thirteen too.” He chuckled. “She was more invested in it than I was. We started drafting apart after I auditioned—” He stopped himself. Maybe it was the dim lighting, but I swore his face went paler than usual. “After I auditioned for a, um, school talent show.”

“Tell me more,” I said as I munched on my popcorn, ignoring the weird energy that had risen between us.

He ran a hand through his hair. “Well, I was so busy with the talent show that I let things slip away, and it upset her. I eventually broke up with her because I knew it wasn’t fair for either of us. I’m glad I didn’t have a car, because she would’ve slashed all four tires.”

I covered my snort with my hand. “That bad?”

His lips lifted in a grin. “Okay, not that bad, but she probably still hates me. She could’ve handled the breakup better. Then again, she was only thirteen.”

“I get that.” I wasn’t sure what to say next. Were we sharing too much? Maybe we weren’t. Maybe this was what we needed to get to know each other better. That was the whole purpose of us being on the date in the first place, even if it was just a friendship date.

So, why did it seem like we were both terrified?

We ate our snacks and drank our sodas while we talked about our expectations for the concert. After watching so many tour videos, it felt so unreal that I was finally here. And with the guy of my dreams, too.

Who happened to be single.

When Whiteout appeared on stage, I unleashed my loudest scream. The lead singer, Adina Rogers, took no time to belt into the microphone. Her voice was so freaking perfect, complete singer goals. The opening was just what I’d been anticipating, loud and upbeat.

Gavin and I sang at the top of our lungs and tried our best to dance without hitting the people next to us. The music buzzed from my head to my toes, spreading throughout my veins. These were the best types of concerts, where the music buzzed in my chest and made the floor shake.

After the next song, Adina sat down on the stage and let her feet hang. “How are we feeling Las Vegas?” she shouted, her blonde hair falling in her eyes.

Gavin and I let out the loudest screams, overpowering the entire crowd.

“That’s what I’m talking about!” Adina said. “Now, this next song goes out to all the couples and the singles hoping to feel like this one day.”

“I bet this is ‘Midnight Kiss,’” I told Gavin as Adina got up from the stage. “It has to be.”

“I’ll be sad if it isn’t,” Gavin said. “We singles want to live in our dreams.”

I giggled. “Better than our middle-school relationships.”

Adina clapped her hands before she jumped straight into the first verse of “Midnight Kiss.” The crowd went wild, and Gavin and I didn’t hesitate to sing along. The song started slow and picked up the pace later on, reminding me of Somewhere in the Sky songs. I wondered if this was their inspiration.

I studied Gavin as he sang. He swayed his head from side to side, his eyes glazing over. When he went on stage at What Do You Bean, he looked like how Adina looked right now—transported to another world where nothing existed but music.

My head went from one side to another as I sang with him, a big grin on my face that couldn’t be wiped off. If I had it my way, I’d stay in this state for?—

Gavin’s skull collided with mine, and we jumped back. The spot on my forehead pulsed as I put my hand over it.

“Sorry,” he whispered, rubbing his temple.

I laughed. “It’s fine.”

Instead of singing the song as it approached the bridge, we stood there, staring deep into each other’s eyes. My brain scattered as I tried to remember the lyrics, but nothing came up. I was a goner.

“Is your head okay?” Gavin whispered, stroking my temples. His hand was warm and gentle, sending electricity up my spine.

“More than okay,” I whispered back as butterflies took flight in my stomach.

He stepped closer to me. “Let me give you tonight,” he sang as the song entered its last chorus, staring deeper into my eyes than before. Like he was staring into my soul, searching every part of me.

“I promise you won’t regret it,” I sang back. At that moment, the emotion of the song overcame me. It washed through my body like a tidal wave, soaking every inch of me.