Page 93 of Next to Everything We Wanted

I wanted to visit his place, though from the way his demeanor changed whenever I asked, it seemed like he wasn’t ready. It was probably because he lived with Nick and Everett, so we wouldn’t have any time alone. I knew I shouldn’t break Dad’s rules, but gosh, I’d love to sit on his balcony and listen to him sing like I was the only person who existed.

Thanks to Somewhere in the Sky’s help, Like Airplanes was getting more engagement on social media, more followers piling in every day. We had a couple of original songs now, enough to perform at What Do You Bean along with a few covers. I still had the song I’d written about Gavin, but I hadn’t shown it to theboys yet. It felt too personal. Dallas and Raina rocked everything they sang, but I needed to sing this to my boyfriend.

I loved calling him that. Myboyfriend.

On Saturday morning, the band that was supposed to play at What Do You Bean on Wednesday canceled, which meant a spot was open for us to perform from seven to nine. We were over the moon—sure, we’d performed at What Do You Bean five times, but this would be our first real gig there. Not part of a prize, not a birthday party, a real freaking gig. And if all went well, it’d be the first of many. We spent our entire practice preparing for it, creating the perfect setlist.

It was now six o’clock, an hour before our performance. Adam and Emma wanted to come, but I wanted to spend time alone with Gavin, so Raina and Arielle came early to play games with them backstage. Somewhere in the Sky—minus Everett, who still wasn’t on board with this networking thing—was going to watch our performance and provide feedback.

“Are you seriously trying to convert me to coffee drinking?” Gavin asked as I placed a tray of drinks on the table.

“Maybe.” I grinned as I slid into the booth next to him. “These are my favorite hot drinks.” I put an extra straw in each cup. “I’ll drink them with you.”

“Like that’ll make it taste any better.”

I frowned. “It won’t?”

“Joking.” He planted a kiss on my temple. “Everything tastes better with you.”

I basked in the way his lips felt on my skin before he pulled away.

He took a sip of the first coffee, a Creamy Cappuccino. “This tastes alright.”

“What do you mean alright?” I sipped with him, devouring the creamy flavor. “This is gold.”

“You can put gold in coffee?”

I smiled and rolled my eyes. “I’m not losing hope yet.” After taking a few more sips of the cappuccino, I pushed it aside and brought the Extra Espresso forward. “This one is my go-to when I have a long night ahead.”

He took a few sips, and a grimace washed over his face. “Oh my gosh.” He grabbed a napkin and wiped his tongue. “That’s the nastiest drink I’ve ever had.”

My jaw dropped. “How could younotlike espresso?”

“Howcouldyou like it? I think this is when you should start losing hope.”

“I refuse! Trust me, you’re going to fall in love with me—” Blood rushed to my cheeks. “I mean, not like that—well, maybe?—”

He laughed, his own pale cheeks turning red. “Maybe I will.”

Warmth spread to my stomach. I shook the thought away before pulling out the last drink. “This is the caffeinated White Chocolate Mocha, my favorite out of the three.”

His brows furrowed. “I’m still not sure if I can trust your judgment.”

I gave him a pleading look.

He sighed. “Fine.”

We leaned in and started drinking together. Gavin seemed indifferent at first, but then his eyes lit up as his drinking speed doubled.

“Make sure to take time to breathe,” I teased.

He stopped drinking and let out a breath. “This is the best drink I’ve had in a while.”

Victory. “See? You need to start trusting me.”

His face fell before he cleared his throat. “Don’t get too excited. You only have me sold on two drinks out of the four I’ve tried.”

“I’m slowly working my magic.” I winked.