Page 170 of The Surprise Play

Wily smiles down at me, then kisses the top of my head. “Don’t worry about it. Come on, let’s go sing.”

“Sing?” I squeak as he pulls me into the living room and finds Nylah and Carson messing around with a karaoke machine.

“Is it good to go?” Wily asks, and I start chewing my bottom lip.

Yes, I adore karaoke. It’s one of my favorite things to do. But in front of all these people?

“Are you sure about this?” I softly ask, but he doesn’t hear me. He’s too busy leaning forward to whisper something in Carson’s ear.

The guy’s head jolts back, and he whips a quick look at me before his face goes just as hard as Zander’s did.

“Who?” he seethes.

Wily shrugs. “Just keep an eye out, okay?”

“Of course, man.” He raises his chin at his friend, then shoots me a stiff smile.

“Wily.” I tug on my boyfriend’s hand. “What are you saying?”

“Just asking them to look out for my girl.” He winks, and I give him a pained frown. “Don’t worry.” He rests his hand on my neck. “They’ll be subtle.”

“But—”

“Okay, I think it’s working now.” Nylah stands up, brushing her hands on the back of her pants. “I’m no Grady Newman, but the plugs seem to all be in the right place.”

“Where is Grady?” I look around, and now it’s Wily’s turn to look pained.

“He couldn’t make it. I’m sorry.”

“No, that’s okay.” I smile, trying to brighten my expression. “There are so many people here. You must have invited the whole school.” I punch out a laugh, and he gives me a“you’re cute”smile before turning back to grab the mic off Nylah.

“You should know this one.” She winks at us, and before I know it, “You’re the One That I Want” is playing, and I’m thrust into a duet with my boyfriend.

He’s ridiculous, not knowing the lyrics and hamming up the song when he can’t keep up. I can’t help laughing out my lines, keeping my eyes trained on him and my back turned to the crowd that’s cheering us on.

“Go, Sandy!” someone shouts from the back.

Wait, that’s me. I’m Sandy in this duet. Are they… cheering me?

I glance over my shoulder, surprised by the sea of grinning faces.

And then it’s my turn again, and I lift the mic to my lips and come in on the beat.

“Whoo!” Nylah cheers. “Girl, you can sing!” She looks so impressed that I sing a little louder and find the cheers crescendoing.

Is this really happening?

I eventually start to belt out the tune in earnest, getting into this song I love so much and trying to make up for Wily’s terrible pitchiness.

He laughs at the hecklers, singing even louder until I can’t help a wince.

When the song comes to an end, I grin up at him, and he kisses me soundly on the mouth while people applaud and whoop.

“Another one!” someone shouts.

“But take that mic off Wily!”

My boyfriend throws his head back with a laugh.