When I jerk awake from the loud goal noise I have set as my alarm tone, I sit up and reach for my phone. It’s only seven, and I could probably sleep a little bit more, but I want to get there early. Maybe have a chance to hang with Avery before she gets onstage. Rubbing my eyes, I click on her name and type out a message.
Me: I’m awake.
Avery: Oh good, I assumed you were going to channel your inner Sleeping Beauty.
Me: Beauty part is right.
Avery: Debatable…haha… so I guess this means you’re still coming tonight? Not blowing me off for all your many girlfriends that you really don’t have but claim to have because you’re a wannabe player?
Me: Wow. Some would be offended by that.
Avery: But you’re not part of that some, which means you’re still coming?
Me: I wouldn’t miss it for anything.
Avery: …
Grinning at her little dots, I look up to find Markus playing Xbox.
“Hey, Sleeping Beauty,” he says after looking back at me and I glare. What the hell is up with all this Sleeping Beauty shit? “Did Jacey have a nice nappy?”
“Screw you,” I bark at him before standing and stretching. “What are you doing?”
“Nothing, just killing some aliens and shit. You? I thought you were out for the night.”
“I’m going to Avery’s gig.”
“Oh, cool.”
“Yeah, you should come.”
“Eh, maybe.” His eyes don’t leave the TV as I pass by him to go shower.
“Whatever, it’s gonna be fun.”
“Fun watching you geek out over some chick? Comical, yes. Fun, no.”
“I’m sure there will be smart chicks there you can hit on,” I suggest, waggling my brows at him
He makes a face, his eyes still trained on the TV. “I won’t have my right-hand man to make an ass of himself with some corny-ass lines.”
“This is true.”
“Plus, smart chicks don’t like me for some reason.”
“’Cause they are smart enough not to fall for your shit,” I laugh and he smirks.
“Maybe.”
Laughing, I head into the bathroom and I kind of hope he goes with me tonight. I don’t need him to go, but it would be nice to have someone with me. Maybe I won’t look like a total loser in the front row, cheering her on, if my boy is right beside me.
Probably not. We’ll probably look like two losers together.
After showering and shaving a little bit, I come out in a towel to find him still in front of the TV, playing. Heading to my dresser, I get a pair of jeans and a thin tee before getting dressed quickly since I took a little longer than I meant to in the shower. Combing my hair back, I decide I should really get a haircut. It’s falling in my face all the time now, which I guess is cool since man buns are all the rage, but I can imagine the shit I’d get from Markus, Jude, and Jayden. They would rip me apart. Shaking my head, I pull on a gray beanie to hold my hair back before looking over at Markus, who is still playing. Rolling my eyes, I reach for my phone and check the time. Then I open my texts.
Me: You on your way?
Avery: Did you beat me? Stalker.
Grinning, I chuckle as I write her back.
Me: No, weirdo, I’m about to leave now.
Avery: So…we’ll get there at the same time?
Me: Or I will beat you.
Avery: Or I could beat you.
Me: Are you challenging me?
Avery: Duh.
Me: I don’t back down from a challenge.
Avery: Of course, you don’t, but this is a challenge you’re gonna lose.
Me: Bring it.
Avery: Crossing the quad now.
Me: CHEATER!
“Dude, you going?”
Markus looks back at me as I slide my feet into tennis shoes. “Yeah, I guess, since you obviously need a date.”
I scoff. “My date is meeting me there.”
“It’s okay,” he says as he shuts the game off and stands. “You don’t have to lie to kick it, bro.”
“Whatever, hurry up.”
“I’m ready,” he says much to my surprise before reaching for the door. Usually, it takes him hours upon hours to get ready.
“Oh. Cool.” I follow him up the stairs. It’s only a two-minute walk to the food-court strip mall. The coffee shop is at the end of it, so I know I’ll beat her to it. But just in case, I have a little pep in my step.
“Why are we walking so fast?”
Looking back at Markus, I point toward the food strip. “Just want to get there.”
“Dude, really?”
“What?” I ask, confused.
“I’ve never seen you like this, even with Delanie, who I thought you were gonna marry. You didn’t rush to get to her.”
I shrug. “Because that was sex. I told you this was different.”
“Whatever, dude.” He shakes his head. “Have you talked to Delanie?”
I shake my head. “Um, not for a couple of weeks. She just started that new job.”
“I heard she’s coming down for a belated celebration of Baylor’s birthday.”
“Oh? Who’d you hear that from?”
“She posted it on Baylor’s wall.”
“Oh. Cool.”
And I know he expects me to be all excited, but really, I don’t care. Delanie is a friend. We had fun, she rocked my world for a bit, but it ended. We both didn’t see it going anywhere. It was good, hot sex, but outside of the bedroom, we really did nothing but watch Netflix. She’s funny and stuff, but we didn’t click the way I wanted. I know everyone thought we were serious, but we weren’t. Not even kind of.
She didn’t make me feel even an ounce of what Avery makes me feel. Because of that, I know this thing with Avery is important. Real. I just hope she can get on my level, because this no dating shit is wack. I’ll be damned if I’m going to be all caught up while she’s playing the field. No way. I don’t know what is going to happen, but I’m not going to let this girl go easily. I just can’t.
“And you don’t care?”
“Nope.”
“Really?”
“Dude, I told you. I’m in it to win it with Avery.”
“You don’t even know the chick.”
I shrug. “But I know what I’m feeling is real, so I’m gonna explore it. If it doesn’t work, it doesn’t work, but I’m gonna try.”
“All right, Jayden.”
“Shut it.”
Before he can answer me, though, we are entering the coffee shop and I’m searching for her. I don’t see her, and while that gives me a rush of victory, I wonder where she is. Did she stop to talk with someone on the way here? Was it a dude? Oh fuck, did I just ask that?
“Yo, Sinclair!”
Looking up, I see my boy Chase, who I grew up with. “Bro!”
Shaking hands that leads into a manly hug, I grin as I pull back to meet his gaze. “What are you doing here?”
He doesn’t go to Bellevue, and I thought he was in Brazil or something. Living the life.
“Dude, my parents own this coffee shop, remember?”
“Oh, yeah,” I say as he shakes hands with Markus. “So you run this place?”
“You know it. I’m changing the name to Chase Your Coffee.”
“Clever,” I say with a grin and he laughs.
“Mom hates it, but it’s my place now, so, oh well. She’s off living the retired life.” He shrugs and I nod in agreement. “How’re Jude and Jayden? Killing it?”
“Always.”
“Bet you’re ready to get up there.”
“You know it. My time is coming.”
“I hear ya, man.”
Looking around, I see that the shop is a cool place. I have never come in here before because I’m not a coffee person, but I might have to change that. It’s chill. People are studying and drinking coffee while some dude on the stage packs up his guitar. I assume that’s where Avery will perform, and I see a table right at the front.
My table.
“So what brings ya in? I didn’t take you for a coffee drinker.”
I shake my head. “I’m not. I’m just ordering some water, I guess.”
Looking around for Avery, I see she still isn’t here, and uneasiness settles in my chest. Where is she? I go up to the counter as Chase walks around it, and he gets me a bottle of water, then one for Markus.
“On the house.”
I grin. “Thanks, bro. Glad you can afford to give out water.”
He laughs. “Yeah, yeah. So what are you here for if it isn’t for my great coffee?”
Looking back at him, I say, “Here to watch someone perform.”
“The hot Avery Rose?” he asks with a sly grin and my grin drops. Markus, though, sputters with laughter, I guess from the look I’m giving Chase. “Whoa. No offense, didn’t know she was taken.”
“She isn’t,” Markus sings and I glare back at him.
“Yet,” I correct him, which only makes him laugh harder.
“Oh, trying to get with her, then? She’s hot and talented, for sure.”
“Yeah, I wonder where she is.”
“Oh, she’s in the back setting up stuff with the sound guy.”
Confused, I ask, “She’s here?”
“Yeah, been here for like an hour.”
That brat.
Grinning, I roll my eyes, but then I pause when my gaze falls on a “Help Wanted” sign. Like I said, I’m not a coffee guy, but apparently this is the place Avery is always hanging according to her Facebook. She also likes to study here, so maybe I should come here more often. “You’re hiring?”
“Yeah, you need a job?”
I pause. Do I? I mean, I know I do, not only to get Jude and Jayden off my ass but also to get some of my own money in my pocket. The only problem is I have no clue how to make coffee.
“Yeah.”
“I heard about the divorce. Sorry, bro.”
“Thanks. But yeah, just something part time.”
“That’s what I’m looking for.”
“I have no coffee-making experience.”
“I can train you.”
“Cool, yeah. Can you work with my hockey schedule?”
He nods. “Of course.”
“Awesome.”
“When can you come in to train? I’m usually here in the mornings.”
“What time?”
“Like four. I know, sucks,” he says when I make a face of disgust, but I know that time will work. I’ll come here, work, and then head to hockey. Yeah, I’m losing two hours of sleep, but it can work.
“Okay, I’ll be here tomorrow.”
“Cool,” he says just as the strum of a guitar catches my attention. Looking at the stage, I see Avery standing there in all her beautiful glory. She’s in a pair of tight jeans and a white tee that hangs off her shoulder. Her hair is in wild curls down her shoulders with a big, floppy black hat on her head. She looks so small in that shirt since it hangs off her so much, and then add in the guitar that looks huge in her small, delicate hands. But she looks so fucking hot, I can’t stand it. It’s like I forgot how attractive she is in the little time we were apart.
She must have felt me staring at her because she looks up, her eyes sparkling underneath all the makeup she is wearing. Her lips are painted a dark red color, and I’m unsure if I can handle how drop-dead gorgeous she looks. As she gives me a sneaky little grin, my lips curve and she looks away, putting her guitar on the stand and heading offstage. I think she is coming to me, but then she goes to the back and I’m confused.
Shouldn’t she be greeting me or something?
Just then my phone dings and I look down to see a text from her.
Avery: I would come say hi, but the way you’re looking at me, I’m pretty sure my lipstick would be smeared.
Grinning so hard I feel like my face is going to break, I nod as I text her back.
Me: You are positively correct. You look super hot.
Avery: …
Me: You beat me.
Avery: Ha. I was studying and caught the first act.
Me: Judging the competition?
Avery: Of course.
Me: That’s my girl.
Avery: Your girl?
Me: What? The memo went out. Did you not get it?
Avery: Um, no, and we might need to discuss that since I don’t date.
Me: You didn’t date, then you met me. Big difference.
Avery: Wow, I’m not sure if I should be impressed by your giant ego or disgusted.
Me: Just admit it, you love it.
Avery: No comment.
“Gag,” Markus says from behind me, and I look back at him, grinning.
“Shut it,” I demand before meeting Chase’s gaze. “I’m gonna go get my seat. Thanks, though.”
He smirks. “Of course, enjoy. And please remember this is family establishment.” He gives me a knowing look and I laugh.
“Yeah, sure, with you as the manager? I’m sure you’ve defiled this whole place.”
He shrugs. “I haven’t made it to the couch, though,” he says with a wink and I shake my head.
Chase and I had some fun when we were younger. I think my mom used to call us lady-killers, and she was dead-on. But right now, there is only one lady I want to have a chance at.
Taking my spot in the front, I lean on the table, checking out the scene before pulling out my phone.
“Why are you getting a job? I thought your dad just gave you all that money,” Markus says as he sits next to me.
“He did,” I say simply as I text Jude and Jayden in a group message. “But I want to get Jude and Jayden off my back.”
“Oh, true. You gonna be able to handle it?”
“Yeah. I’ll figure it out.”
“Cool,” he says as I look around. More people have shown up, and the place is pretty packed. That excites me. I want this to go well for Avery; I want her to succeed. Leaning back in my chair, my phones dings with a text message.
Me: I got a job.
Jude: Good.
Jayden: Awesome. Where at?
Leave it to Jayden to want to know where. Jude doesn’t care as long as I have a job.
Me: The coffee shop. Chase Miller owns it.
Jude: No shit. Cool.
Jayden: So you’re a barista?
Me: Yeah.
Jayden: Man, are you sure? You have to think a lot when you do that.
Jude: No shit, and we all know you don’t know how to think without your momma doing it for you.
Me: Fuck off.
Rolling my eyes, I turn my phone on silent just as another text comes through.
Avery: Texting your girlfriend?
I laugh.
Me: Stalker.
Avery: Oh…deflecting. Maybe I pegged you wrong. You are a player?
Me: Ha, I’m single and ready to mingle.
Me: But should I be on the lookout for your boyfriend? Don’t want to get into a fight for ogling while you’re onstage.
“Why did you invite me if you are gonna text her the whole time when she’s behind that wall?” I look up to see Markus looking bored and little frustrated. “No girls are checking me out here.”
“Aw, do you want a slice of crybaby pie to go along with that whine of yours?”
When he flips me off, I grin and then my phone vibrates. Looking down, I see another text from Avery.
Avery: Single also…which means one thing…
Me: We can hook up as much as we want.
Avery: Um. Well. Yeah, but I was going with the fact that I answer to no one.
Me: That too, but the hooking up part is funner.
Avery: Funner is not a word.
Me: It is to me.
Avery: Okay, well you have lots of funner and I’m gonna go put on a show.
Me: Really? Cause I’m here to see some hot chick perform. Maybe you’ve heard of her.
Avery: Shh…can’t swoon when I’m about to sing.
Me: What if I flash you?
Avery: I will cut you.
Me: Show you my nipples, or maybe just one.
Avery: Don’t you dare.
Me: Can’t stop me.
Avery: omg…
Laughing, I look up as she walks out, and her face is bright red, matching her lips. Not meeting my gaze, she picks up her guitar and the shop lights lower as a spotlight comes on only her. Tapping her foot onto something, she starts to play without looking up or even introducing herself. But I guess it doesn’t matter because when she starts singing, everyone is watching.
I made sure.
And hell, I’m so impressed. Her voice is so smoky but also so mesmerizing, and her fingers move naturally along the strings of her guitar, the melody matching her voice perfectly. I think I know the song; it’s some stuff that Claire likes by that ginger dude. But I’m thinking Avery could outsing that dude any day of the week. When she starts to bang on the guitar, for drums, I guess, I’m completely imprisoned by her. Then her voice is playing in the background and she is singing, and crap, I feel like I’m spinning, she is so fantastic. Looking at Markus in amazement, I find him rocking out, singing along with her, and I can’t help but smile.
“She’s crazy good, right?” I say and Markus nods in agreement, moving his fist with each note. He thinks he’s the best dancer since Michael Jackson. I try to tell him he isn’t, but he doesn’t listen. But then, I can’t blame him for getting down. I don’t dance, but she is making me want to.
When she finishes with flair, I stand up, clapping loudly and hollering.
Apparently I am the only one who got the memo to do that.
My clap turns to a slow clap as I lower myself into my chair. Markus is laughing his ass off, and when I look up to Avery, she’s grinning, her cheeks still bright red.
“All right, then. Pumped-up crowd tonight,” she says soulfully into the mic. “Well, for those who don’t know my name and are not trying to sleep with me, I’m Avery Rose and I’m here to entertain you. So let’s do this.”
Markus is still laughing, but I don’t care. She’s good! She taps her foot on the ground, and a beat drops and then she is doing this sick-ass cover of “Can’t Feel My Face.” She’s so animated, I mean, fully into the music, and it’s amazing to see. The things she does with the guitar and that thing she keeps hitting with her foot are the tools to her magic, and I’m lucky to be a witness to it.
When her gaze meets mine, singing the chorus, I feel like she is singing just to me. Soon, my mouth is curving in the most sinful way.
Because the lyrics are true.
I can’t go without.
Without her.
When she finishes, again with a flair of her own, I, along with the crowd, erupt. She grins as she reaches for a bottle of water, taking a long pull from it. Putting it down, she moves her fingers along the strings as she comes back to the mic.
“I’m new around these parts,” she says then. “I came all the way from New Jersey to be a part of one of the best music programs in the country, and I’m glad I did.” She pauses as some of the crowd cheers for her. Guess there are a lot of music department folks here, but I don’t notice because all I see is her. “Up north, there isn’t much country, but here, it’s everything. And I think I love it. So let’s change things up, shall we?” Someone in the crowd agrees, but I don’t look to see who it is. “This morning the guy in the front row who is hollering like a madman—” she pauses, sending me a grin, and I let out a whoop that has the crowd laughing “—anyway, he called me June Carter. And because of that, I am inspired to play this.”
Avery then pushes her guitar behind her, taking ahold of the mic. The guitar looks so huge against her back. Some would look dumb, but she looks right at home. And when she hits the thing on the floor and a beat drops, the crowd is silent. Especially when she starts to rap “Ring of Fire” by Johnny Cash.
No shit.
I’m floored.
I’ve never been so impressed in my life.
All because of this small, gorgeous girl.
Who will be mine.
She just doesn’t know it yet.