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Out of the corner of my eye, I watched him head to the stage. I wondered why he had not told me. If he was worried about how he would perform, he certainly did not show it. He shook hands, or whatever that thing is that guys do, with all of his bandmates, who I now recognized very well. They were the same guys he played with in high school, only with less acne and slightly better style. They hadn’t played since Chase left for California, and the bar was filled with anticipation, and little standing room.
“Earth to Merritt.” Tina waved her hand in front of my face. “I know he’s gorgeous, but try not to be too obvious.”
I rolled my eyes. “Move your purse so I can sit.”
Kenzie looked at me. “What is going on there?”
“Nothing,” I replied quickly. “There is nothing going on.”
“I keep telling her: Chase Brooks hanging around is not nothing,” Shelly stated. She already had four small glasses lined up in front of her, filled with a bright pink liquid. She picked the first one up and tried handing it to me.
“No way,” I protested.
“Come on, just one!”
I shook my head. “Just be happy I came out tonight.”
“Fine, but we’re toasting you anyway!” She wrapped her arm around me. “To my best friend in the whole wide world, who came out tonight even though she didn’t want to!”
The girls threw their heads back and let the cool liquid slide down their throats.
“Enough of this girly shit. Let’s get some whiskey!” Tina leaned over the bar and flagged down the bartender.
“How are you feeling?” Kenzie asked. “You don’t always answer my texts, and I don’t know if you even feel like talking about anything.”
“I’m sorry if you feel like I’ve been ignoring you. I’m just having a hard time with everything. Everybody keeps asking how I’m doing – but how many times can I say the same thing, you know?”
Her eyes were filled with worry. “We came to visit you every day, in the hospital. Shelly told you, right?”
I squeezed her hand. “She told me. I appreciate your support. I really do.”
“Did you ever find out who pulled you from your car?” Tina asked.
“No. Nobody came forward.”
“That’s a shame. Why wouldn’t the person want recognition for such a heroic deed?”
“And the hospital gave you no details?” I knew Kenzie was trying not to pry, but everyone had the same question on their minds.
“Nope,” Shelly shook her head. “They said the emergency staff took her in such a hurry because of the shape she was in. Nobody paid attention to who the person was.”
“It was just a good Samaritan. If he or she doesn’t want to be found, then I’d like to leave it that way. The end.” I hoped to end the conversation there.
“It doesn’t matter who it was. All that matters is that you’re here,” Kenzie reminded.
“So,” I began, taking a deep breath. “I’ve been doing a lot of thinking lately, and I’ve decided to get my own apartment.”
Shelly’s eyes widened. “How? Where?”
“Chase’s parents are renting out their side apartment.”
“How will you pay rent?”
“They don’t want any money from me. I spoke to them this morning.”
I couldn’t read her expression. The girls sat quietly, waiting for her response.
“I feel really bad about staying at your place,” I continued. “You say that it’s fine, but I know you were planning on asking Brody to move in with you before this all happened. I don’t want to hold you back from anything.”
