The Night We Said Yes Read Online Free PDF

in this weird, awkward situation together.
    “I have an idea, but feel free to say no,” he says from where he is, across the yard, allowing me space to breathe and decide.
    “That good of an idea?” I ask, raising my eyebrow.
    “Want to get food? I haven’t eaten.”
    And again he’s trying to get me to leave. Again he’s making a weird effort. I could easily just say no, go back to the party—or better yet, go home—and call it a night. Not let him get under my skin, even though he’s already startedslipping in. Not go down the road we’ve already traveled. Not let it dead-end again.
    But even though my mind is saying that it’s smart to stay, my heart is racing for me to go. Because last year with him and my friends I felt strong and invincible. I was able to live out fears, wake myself up, and be in the spotlight only Meg previously occupied. And since he left, I’ve simply been living in a cocoon, afraid to put myself out there again. Afraid to be let down again.
    I miss that feeling of being alive.
    I look over to him and his eyes hold me. I can never say no to those eyes.
    Before I answer, he calls out, “And follow.”
    “Huh?” I answer, confused.
    “The end of the lyric. It’s ‘and follow.’”
    A piece clicks in place as he waves the sheet music in his hand, and without realizing it, I nod. I follow.
    “Where to?” I ask.
    “Wing King?”



CHAPTER 4
    THEN
    8:50 P . M .
    “So you’re the new bassist I’ve been hearing about?” I yelled to Matt over the noise at the house party.
    “It depends, what have you heard?” he asked with a smile.
    “That you’re going to save the dying Pepperpots.”
    “I resent that,” Barker interjected.
    “Heh, they’re pretty good. I don’t know if they need me to save them. But, yes, I am that superhero.” He nodded, striking a Superman pose.
    I smiled at him, in awe of how comfortable I felt. I never felt this comfortable in front of Nick; I never was able to make jokes or make him laugh. He didn’t care about myretorts, something I realized much too late.
    “I’m going to grab a drink, do you want one?” he asked. Meg still hadn’t returned with my drink, so I shook my head.
    “I’m good, thanks.”
    “Okay, cool,” he answered, combing his fingers through his hair, and letting it fall back into place. I watched as he turned away and walked toward the keg.
    “Hey,” Barker whispered—well, loudly whispered. “She’s here.”
    “Who’s here?”
    “Jake’s new girl. Does Meg know about her?” he asked cautiously, glancing at Meg to make sure she didn’t hear.
    I looked over at Meg. She was laughing with a girl from her math class, her head tilted far back, full-on reckless. She looked so happy, and it made me scared to think of how quickly Jake and his new girl could sink it all. “Yeah, she mentioned her on the way over. Thus the, er, outfits.”
    “I noticed that,” he said. “I was wondering who it was for.”
    “Well you know I’d never buy a shirt like this for myself,” I said, playing with the sleeve.
    “Eh, it suits you. You look nice.” Barker and I had only been friends for a few years, but he knew me better than any other guy. We got along well, and there was never an attraction to ruin it. He could call my bluffs; I could call his. Anyway, he was so ridiculously happy with his girlfriend, Gabby, that it didn’t matter. They were like a marriedcouple. They cooked dinners together.
    “So what do you think of Matt?” Meg asked, sneaking back over and handing me a cup of foamy beer.
    “Is this the goal for the night? Hook me up with him?” I asked the question jokingly, but at the same time my heart expectantly flipped. I didn’t feel ready for a relationship, I didn’t feel ready to be interested in a new guy, but it didn’t hurt to meet someone new. I looked over and saw him coming back. My face heated right up.
    “Pretty much.” Meg nodded.
    “Yeah,” Barker agreed. I rolled my eyes, smiling at