On the Outside Looking In (Wrong Reasons) Read Online Free PDF Page A

me.
    “Wow,” I repeated.  “I am so proud of you guys!  When did you find out?”
    “This morning,” Spencer said, a grin so wide it nearly stretched between his ears.  “We had a breakfast meeting with James Argen, the founder of Argen Records.  He offered us a contract – we haven’t actually signed it yet.”
    My smile slipped a bit but I sucked it up.  So what if they hadn’t told me right away.  I wasn’t as close to them as I used to be but that was starting to change.  “Have you had an attorney look at it?”
    Jessica released an exasperated sigh.  “They don’t need an attorney.  They’re not stupid.  They know all about this stuff – they’ve been doing this for a long time.”
    I bit my bottom lip.  Usually, Jessica veiled her dislike for me better, especially around everyone else.
    “Jess, we know a bit about music, but not the legal stuff,” Spencer said in a stiff tone.
    Lucas shot a disgusted look at Jessica before turning to me with a wink.  “We’re meeting with an attorney on Monday.”
    My smile returned.  “Good.  I hope it all works out for you.”
    “Me, too,” Collin said, tipping a beer bottle to his lips.  “We’re celebrating anyway, even though nothing’s official yet.”
    “Yep,” Bailey said, opening the fridge.  “How about a drink, Morg?”
    I paused for a second, contemplating her offer.  I still had to drive home but decided that one drink would be fine.  After that, I’d switch to water. 
    “Sure,” I said.  “What do you have?”
    “I have a great red wine,” Bailey said, producing a bottle.  “Um, pinot noir.  Interested?”
    “Okay.”
    Bailey fetched a wine glass from the cabinet and filled it with dark red liquid.  She handed it to me and then retrieved a water bottle for herself.
    “You’re not having a drink?” I asked.  Out of the three of us, Bailey was the one who could handle alcohol the best.
    “Nah,” she said with a quick glance in Collin’s direction.  “I’ve decided to take a break from drinking for a bit.”
    I sensed something going on between the two of them.  Last summer, Bailey’s drinking had increased greatly and perhaps it had become a subject of tension between them.  Maybe she was trying to quit for Collin.
    “Well,” I said, raising my glass into the air.  “Congratulations, guys.  You deserve it!”
    Everyone followed suit, even Jessica, and toasted the band.
    The little partied carried on and I stayed, all thoughts of studying fleeing my brain.  Besides, I didn’t have to work on Sunday so I had plenty of time to hit the books.  It was just too nice being with my friends again.
    Irelyn wandered out of the kitchen and I followed, still wondering what was going on with Bailey.  I waited on the sofa while Irelyn was in the bathroom, preparing to pounce the second she walked out.  I didn’t have to wait long.
    “Morgan,” Irelyn said.  “Is something wrong?”
    She sat next to me, her eyes probing mine.
    “Is there something wrong with Bailey and Collin?” I asked, lowering my voice.
    Irelyn’s brows crunched together as she leaned forward, peering into the kitchen.  Collin and Bailey weren’t in sight but that didn’t stop her from looking.
    “No, why?” she asked.
    “I was just wondering,” I said carefully.  “You know, she said she quit drinking. I just wondered if they’d had issues with her drinking.”
    “Oh,” Irelyn said, her mouth a perfect O.  “Well, something like that.  She was drinking a lot for a while there.  But she decided to chill on the drinking.  It makes Collin happy.”
    I nodded, relieved.  Irelyn stood with a smile, offering me a hand.  I took it and got to my feet, returning to the kitchen with her.
    Around midnight, I made my excuses and left, even though the party was going strong.  My body couldn’t keep up as I’d gotten up early that morning to work.  As soon as I got home, I shed my clothes in favor of pajamas and climbed