Page 56

She looked at Laci, who shrugged. “Get the man some pancakes.”

Twenty minutes later, Rhiannon and I were leaving, and I was on the verge of barfing. “I need to run home, get my instrument, and change,” I said, heading to the diner’s exit.

“You’re sure you want to do this?” Rhiannon asked, pulling on her coat.

“I’m sure.” I held the door for her, and we stepped out into the chilly December air. It was already dark outside, snowing and cold. I didn’t even care. I took off my mask for the first time since 6:00 a.m. and breathed a sigh of relief. I was never betting my brothers again over anything, ever. I tipped my head back and let the wind cool my forehead.

When I opened my eyes, Rhiannon was looking at me, wide-eyed.

“What?” I put a hand to my cheek. “Do I have marks or something?” I said, feeling for indents from the mask.

She shook her head. “No. It’s just the first time I’ve seen your whole face.”

My cheeks heated. “Oh. I thought you watched the videos—”

“You were in a mullet. And a mustache. And pleather.”

I snorted.

“Well,” I said. “This is me.”

A slow grin spread across her expression. “Hi, Matty. It’s nice to finally meet you.”

12

RHIANNON

I WAS AFRAID TO drive my car to Tate’s grandma’s on the off chance he saw me pull up and recognized it, so I let Matty drive. We went to his apartment first.

“I only need ten minutes,” he said, unlocking his front door. “There are drinks in the fridge. Grab whatever.” He dropped his cape onto the arm of the sofa and left to go to his room. I peered around.

His apartment was clean. He had a small Christmas tree on a folding TV table. The gray walls were bare, but the sofa had throw pillows and there was a plant in the corner. The coffee table was strewn with sheet music and there was a stool by the window with a music stand in front of it. A big black instrument case with a handle was on the floor.

I sat on the sofa to wait.

My hands were shaking. I was so scared this wasn’t going to work—but I was so grateful that he was willing to help me.

Ten minutes later, Matty came out of his room, dressed in a black button-up shirt tucked into his black pants. “I didn’t think Sexy Sax Boy was right for this gig,” he said, crouching down to lock his instrument case.

“Probably a good idea he’s not coming,” I said. “You might give the old ladies a heart attack.”

Matty laughed.

I looked him over while he gathered his things. He’d rolled up the sleeves of his shirt, so I could see the fake tattoo. It did suit him. He could pull off anything, even a zombie mask. But that wasn’t all that made him attractive.

He was kind. He was generous. He was giving and funny and I think he was a genuinely good human.

I realized that we never got to the bet he made about “Jingle Bells.” I have no idea what music played after the party of eighteen showed up. But even if he lost the bet, my answer was yes. I’d go to Little Christmas with him.

I’d go anywhere.

13

MATTY

WE SAT IN MY car in the parking lot of the retirement home going through the plan again.

“So I go in, get everyone out of their rooms, start playing. Laci calls Tate, tells him she’s waiting at a restaurant down the street. When you see him leave, you go.”