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“Absolutely,” Collin said.
Barry bobbed his head. “Of course.”
“And what about you, Addy?” Mr. Garrett asked.
“I’m not in the band.”
“She’s our manager,” Andy said as if it were fact, and everyone murmured their agreement.
“No shenanigans, I promise,” I said solemnly, taking my newly appointed position seriously.
“What’s the name of your band?” Mr. Garrett asked.
“How about ABCR?” I counted on my fingers. “A for Andy. B for Barry. C for Collin. R for Rachel.”
“That’s cool, Addy,” Rachel said, her gaze bright.
Andy nodded approvingly. “I like it.”
“You would.” Collin shook his head. “Since you’re first in the lineup.”
Barry covered my hand with his. “Alphabetical. Easy to remember. I like it too.”
“I’m holding you responsible then,” Mr. Garrett said to me. “Come by my office tomorrow before the first bell, and I’ll give you a key.”
“Can I talk to you, Addy?” Collin stood, glancing down at Barry’s hand over mine before adding, “Alone?”
“Sure.” I slid my hand out from under Barry’s. “See you after school,” I told him. My best friend and I always met at my locker to catch up with each other at the end of the day.
“Right.” Barry’s jaw tightened. He gave Collin a long glance before he stood. “I’ve got shit to do. Catch you guys tomorrow.”
Barry’s departure seemed to relax Collin, or at least his hands that had been fisted at his sides loosened.
“C’mon, Addy.” Collin offered me his hand, and I stepped over the bench. “Let’s go outside for privacy, yeah?”
Nodding, I exchanged a panicked glance with Rachel.
Go, she mouthed and shifted toward Andy. If I weren’t so nervous about what Collin wanted, I would have cautioned her again about getting too close to the lead singer in her band.
Trying to slow my racing heart, I went where Collin led.
Yes, I was crushing on Collin. And yes, he was hot as hell.
But he was who he was, and I was me.
The warning I would give my sister about getting involved with a guy in her band applied to me now too since they’d voted me in as manager. Additionally, besides our love of music, what did Collin and I have in common?
As we exited the cafeteria, the steel door clanged shut behind us. A crisp wind cooled my flushed skin. No one was behind the school or on the sidewalk that split the La Rasa Prima side of the school from the loser side, probably because the bell was about to ring for the next period.
“Thanks for coming out here with me.” Placing his hands on my shoulders, Collin turned me to face him.
“Sure, no problem. B-but why?” I sputtered. “I mean, why did you want to talk to me alone?”
“Is Barry your boyfriend?” Collin’s eyes narrowed, reminding me of crescent moons.
“No, he’s my friend.”
“Good.” Collin reached up to frame my face. His skin was rough, his fingers long. His rings left a cool trail that contrasted with the warmth of his skin as he slid his hands into my hair. Staring down at me, his eyes were ablaze.
