“Obligatory, by Unicorn Stench,” Summer said, thinking she was hardcore. Hardly anyone had heard of the band.
“You know they’re from here. I saw them play last year.”
“Really? I bet they’re killer live.”
“It was definitely one of the best shows I’ve ever been to.” He sat next to her on the bench. “How ‘bout The Black Keys?”
Summer scrolled down her list of songs and held her iPod up so Troy could see all the Black Keys’ songs on the screen. “Not only do I have ‘Wicked Messenger’ by them, I also have Bob Dylan’s version. And while the purist in me wants to say the original’s better, I can’t help but love the Black Keys’ version. The guitar and the drums and Dan Auerbach’s voice.” She gave a dramatic sigh. “It’s just all so perfect.”
“I think that’s the hottest thing a girl’s ever said to me.” Troy grabbed her hand. “Run away with me?”
She laughed, and it came out a little nervous sounding, due to the fact he was holding her hand and her stomach was filling with butterflies.
He smiled at her, still not letting go. “Troy, by the way.”
“Summer.”
“Troy, are you coming, or what?” One of the guys in the parking lot yelled.
“Sounds like I’ve got to go.” Troy released her hand and grabbed his board. “I’ll see you around, Sunshine,” he said and then strolled toward the parking lot where his friends were holding open a car door for him. She was starting after him when he spun around and flashed her another smile.
Imagine her disappointment when she found out he already had a girlfriend.
After that first meeting, she would be walking down the halls and hear, “Hey, Sunshine!” Immediately, she’d know it was Troy, coming to update her on a cool new band he’d heard. He was much more of a music snob than she was. He hated the dance music she loved, claiming if instruments weren’t involved it wasn’t true music, and there was no convincing him otherwise.
Now, Summer stared at him again, taking in his profile in the dim interior of the Jeep. A lot had changed since the day they’d met. Yet being there with him, on their way to a show, reminded her of everything she used to love doing. Of all the little things she’d given up because of her relationship with Cody.
“Thanks for inviting me tonight,” she said. “I’m really excited to hear the new stuff.”
Troy glanced at her. “Me too. I’m glad we’re hanging out again.”
A spark of happiness broke through the sadness she’d been feeling all day. If only it could carry through the night and help her accomplish her mission, she might just survive the week after all.
Equinox was busier than normal. People lined the bar, and there was room to walk, but just barely. As usual, the black floors of the old building were slightly sticky. Small tables dotted the back half of the room and ran up along the sides. Flashing lights lit the dance floor in the middle. Up front, the stage stuck out in a semi-circle.
The place brought back memories of Summer’s first few months here, when she’d been all about coming to the shows with Troy and his friends. Whenever Kristen had come with them, she’d stare Summer down, keeping herself draped around Troy the entire time.
“It feels good to be back,” Summer said, even enjoying the familiar scent of stale, sweat-tinged air. After the big blowout fight she and Cody had about her going places with Troy, she’d stopped coming to Equinox altogether.
Who needs him? It’s nice to be free again.
“Let’s go find a place close to the stage,” said Kevin, a friend of Troy’s they’d picked up on the way. “Then we can see how they set up.”
Troy bounced on the balls of his feet, the way he did when he was especially excited about a show. “Sounds good.”
Summer wanted a read on Ashlyn, so as they followed the guy toward the front, she bumped into her, making sure their arms brushed. No grim scenes flashed before Summer’s eyes, but Ashlyn shot her a dirty look.
“Sorry,” Summer mumbled. “It’s kind of crowded.” Well, at least Ashlyn should make it through the night. Next step, getting the girl to stop hating her. “So, what’s your favorite song by these guys?”
“Finding Me. It got me through a hard time in my life.”
“That’s a good one. My personal fave is I Should.”
“Yeah, every poseur likes that song.”
Summer’s mouth dropped open. Before she could respond to that accusation—she was so not a poseur—Ashlyn moved to the other side of Kevin. Clearly, she was never going to like her.
Maybe I should just give her the stupid relationship brochure and feel good I’ve done my part.
Troy glanced back at her, then jerked his head to gesture her over. “Can’t take my eyes off you, remember?”
It took her a moment to realize he was echoing Dad’s orders. “Right,” she said, stepping next to him.
“Hey.” Troy put his hand on her back and leaned close enough to be heard over the guy announcing tonight’s line-up. “We’re about to watch one of our favorite bands. You shouldn’t look so sad.”
Summer glanced from Ashlyn back to Troy. “Ashlyn hates me. I’ve tried to be nice, but she’s determined to keep disliking me for whatever reason.”
“So? Why do you care if she likes you? She’s a cool girl and all, but you have other friends.”
It would be nice to be able to tell the truth. The whole truth would be hard to swallow, though. Summer struggled to get it down herself, and she’d started seeing…whatever Gabriella was. She shrugged. “I just got a feeling that we would be friends. I have excellent intuition you know.”
“Well, I’ve seen who you hang out with most of the time, so you’ll understand if I doubt your intuition.”
Summer elbowed him. “Hey, I hang out with you, Mister Bond. Apparently, I’ve chosen some of my friends well.”
A grin spread across his face. “You’ve got me there.”
The crowd around them erupted in cheers as Unicorn Stench took the stage. Summer went ahead and hollered along with them. She yelled even louder when they opened with I Should.
Francie’s scratchy voice echoed through the room as she sang out the lyrics.
If I told you I missed you, would you change your mind
If I begged you to stay, would you still leave me behind
I know I should move on, I should try
Instead of sitting here alone, asking why
I should go back and change the day we met,
delete the day our paths first crossed
Maybe then, oh maybe then, I wouldn’t feel so lost
I should’ve kept my guard up instead of letting it down
Shouldn’t have given my heart away
But there’s no point in should’ves anyway
I should let you go now
I should
But we both know that I’ve never been any good
At doing what I should
I’m not a poseur, Summer thought again. “I Should” is just a good song. Anyone who listens can see—well, hear—that.
During intermission, Ashlyn headed toward the edge of the crowd. A mix of determination, fear, and this weird feeling in her gut drove Summer to follow. Tonight might be her last chance to get through to the girl, and she planned on giving it all she had.
“They played your song,” Summer said when she came up blank on anything else to talk about. “I’m gonna listen to it more now. Maybe it’ll help me through my rough spot.”