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“Oh.” Barry frowned. Apparently, he wasn’t pleased by the news like I thought he would be.
“You’re not interested?” I tilted my head.
“I wouldn’t say that.” He raked a hand through his black hair. “It’s just that I have after-school practices with the marching band, and then performing with them on Fridays throughout football season. And weekends, I work at the garage. When would I fit in band rehearsals or gigs?”
“I didn’t think about that.” Honestly, I’d just thought about what a big opportunity it might be for him.
“I’m sorry. I’ll bet you enjoyed hanging out with them doing an activity that involves music.” His voice lowered. “I definitely would’ve enjoyed spending more time with you.”
“Me too.” I sighed. “I just wish—”
“You wish what?” he asked. Barry never seemed to let anything go when it came to me.
I shook my head. “I don’t want to put pressure on you. You’re right. You have a lot on your plate already.”
“Your hair looks so pretty loose.” Seeming to lose his place in our conversation, he captured a long blond strand and rubbed it between his fingers. “Soft as silk,” he murmured, and my scalp tingled.
“Mr. Garrett got you the job at the garage. It’s a work/study program,” I said slowly, thinking through what I knew out loud. “But does it pay well?”
“It does.” He brushed my hair over my shoulder, and warmth cascaded over my skin. “I hope to work there full time after graduation.”
“So, you don’t want to give it up.” I exhaled my disappointment. “But they’re so good—Andy, Rachel, and Collin.” My gaze turned unfocused as I recalled how they’d sounded together. “And with you on drums, they’d be fantastic.”
“High praise from a girl who loves music.”
“Truth. Andy sings like Don Henley. Collin plays guitar like Joe Perry. And you know Rachel is brilliant.”
“She sings as pretty as Amy Lee.”
“Yes.” Sighing, I gave the problem of Barry’s schedule some more thought. “How about Sunday night for practicing with them?”
“I could do that. I usually study then. And you and I usually hang out when you’re not working a double shift.”
“We’ll hang out then.”
Barry’s lips twisted and I stared at them, wondering how a kiss from him might feel. “All right.”
My stomach fluttering, I said, “You’ll do it?”
“Yes.”
“Awesome.” I smiled until he held up a finger.
“On one condition.”
“What?” I raised a brow. “I’m not part of the band. Conditions probably need to be run by them.”
“This one is only for you.”
“Okay.” I had a feeling about this band, and this was Barry. I’d do anything for him.
“Spend time with me on Mondays. Just you and me.”
“Done,” I said immediately. “I love spending time with you. We can study for history like we used to on Sundays.”
“Yeah, of course,” he said offhandedly. “History, sure.”
Yet there was something different in his eyes, a heated intensity I’d never noticed before. But what did it mean?
