Page 88 of Next to Everything We Wanted

“I really appreciate it.” Part of me had been worried that he’d take Everett’s side, but he’d looked out for me. “Was there something I did that made him hate me so much?”

Gavin shook his head. “He projects bigger issues and takes them out on you. I promise you’re not the one he’s really mad at.”

The karaoke host announced that it was time for others to sing on stage. The crowd started murmuring, some people already getting out of their seats to sign up.

“Want to sign up for karaoke?” Gavin asked. “It’s 2000s night.”

I scoffed. “Hard pass. I’m probably the weakest singer in my band.”

“It’s karaoke, not a talent show.” He flinched and cleared his throat. “We’ll have fun.”

“I don’t know.” Anxiety rose in my chest at the thought of singing in front of everyone. “There’s a lot of people here.”

“How about I go on stage and sing for you instead?” he asked with a humorous glint in his eyes. “And I’ll sing horribly.”

I laughed. “You have the capability to sing horribly with that sexy voice of yours?” I nearly clamped my hand over my mouth. “I mean,attractivevoice.”

He snorted. “I like sexy better.” The sultry way he said it made chills run down my spine. “And you’ll just have to watch and see.”

“I’ll try to spare you from embarrassment, but be ready to help me after I burst into tears and leave.”

He laughed before signing up for karaoke and coming back. “We’re the sixth people up. What song do you want to sing?”

I racked my brain for ideas. It needed to be a duet, a love song. “Do you know ‘No Air’ by Jordin Sparks and Chris Brown? I love that song.” It may or may not have been on the playlist of songs that made me think of Ivan.

Yeah, I had a whole playlist about him now. He had methatbad.

He smiled. “It’s perfect. I love that song too.”

After finishing our meal, we went to the dancefloor, which was right in front of the stage. The people around us werebouncing along to the song the DJ was playing before karaoke time started, and we jumped along.

When it was our turn to perform, we grabbed two mics and went on stage. I tried to avoid eye contact with the crowd, my blood pounding in my ears. Maybe this was a terrible thing to do after eating a full meal, because I could throw up all over my boots at any second.

“Hello, Sunset Melodies!” Gavin said in a charming tone, the same one he used at What Do You Bean. “I’m Ivan, and this is my beautiful date, Sienna.”

I shyly waved at the crowd. “Hi, everyone.”

Gavin grinned at me. “We’ll be singing ‘No Air’ by Jordin Sparks and Chris Brown.”

“We hope it doesn’t give you second-hand embarrassment,” I said, causing a few people to laugh and clap.

The music started playing, and I drew in a sharp breath before singing the first verse. I stumbled over a few of my words, and part of my soul died, but I did my best to continue.

Gavin sang his part, his lulling voice pulling me in as he looked deep into my eyes. His blue ones sparkled, like the Pacific Ocean in the sunlight.

The first chorus came naturally to us. Even though I was a flop of a singer compared to him, we harmonized . . . well, like we were meant to sing this song together. The crowd swayed their heads, a few of them singing along. Couples on the dance floor waltzed with big smiles.

By the second chorus, we were completely lost in the song. The whole crowd faded away, and we were the only people standing there. I put my hand in his, hoping he couldn’t feel the sweat on my palms. He gripped my hand tighter like he wanted to hold onto me for dear life.

Suddenly, it didn’t matter that I didn’t have a good voice. Our voices worked in perfect harmony.

By the last chorus, I found myself almost breathless. Not because the singing was a workout, but because Gavin never failed to blow my mind with how beautiful he was, how he lit up as he stared deep into my soul. It took all of my strength to not stop the song and kiss him.

As soon as the song ended, I leaned toward him, and his mouth met mine halfway. His lips were soft and slow at first, tasting sweet like root beer. I didn’t want soft. I wanted him closer, to feel his strong chest against mine, for there to be no air between us.

I put my microphone on the stand, and he did the same. I pulled him closer until his chest was against mine. I slipped an arm around his neck while my other hand traveled to his hair. It was so, so soft. The shampoo he used worked wonders.

One of his hands glided down my ribcage until it reached my waist. A shiver coursed down my spine from the sensation, spreading all the way to my toes. His free hand slid up my back until it stroked my braid. Gosh, Gracelynn would faint if she were here.