The Night We Said Yes Read Online Free PDF Page B

my very persuasive friends.
    The kitchen started to fill up more, bodies pressed against bodies. A last chord rang out as the first band ended their set, so we were finally able to properly hear one another.
    “I’m gonna go look for Gabby. She should be here by now.” Barker turned to go.
    “Um, want me to come?” Matt asked, a crease forming on his forehead. He was obviously unsure where to go, considering he didn’t know anyone else here. Well, except for Jake, who, if I knew Jake, was probably off with his new girl doing something Matt didn’t want to see. I hoped Barker would tell him to stay with us.
    “Nah, stick with the girls. In about twenty minutes, meet me by the stage. I’d say earlier, but it might take this band two hours to take down their gear. Let’s just say they’renot the best.” He gave Matt a small salute and walked away.
    “I . . . guess you’re stuck with me?” Matt asked. I looked back at him, knowing I was okay with that.
    “So how do you like Orlando?” I asked. There were tons of things I wanted to know, but it was the first question that popped in my head.
    “It’s okay. I’ve only been here for about a month. I don’t know much about it yet, really.”
    “We’ll have to take you out, then,” I answered, carefully using the plural so it would seem casual.
    “That would be cool,” he agreed. “You know, I’m really glad Jake offered me the spot. It sounds like fun, playing again.”
    “Did you play a lot before?”
    “A bit. I’m not a pro or anything,” he said with a shrug.
    “Don’t worry, neither are they.” I smiled back, still feeling at ease. He had little dimples that popped when he smiled; they were adorable. “So, where did you go to school before you—”
    “Mingle?” Meg interrupted, cocking her head to one side. I was slightly irritated by her sudden desire to join us, but it was Meg. As I looked at her, a small part of me questioned—what if he liked her better? She was taller, blonder, prettier . . . why wouldn’t he? But as I looked back, he was still gazing at me—not Meg—still waiting for me to finish my question. So I shrugged, silently agreeing and knowing we had a full night of conversation ahead of us. It didn’t end there. Mattnodded in response as well. I put my cup on the table, trading my drink for Meg’s hand, grabbing hold so I didn’t lose her in the crowd. It looked like our entire high school and the neighboring high school were there. Rivals in football, best friends in parties. Some were there for the bands, still surrounding the stage and pumping their fists; some for the beer, chugging drinks faster than the drummer hit his drums; and some for the company. I was there for friends.
    We pushed past a few people I vaguely recognized, to whom I offered a nod or wave. I looked back, hoping to make eye contact with Matt, but realized he hadn’t kept up with us. Stuck a couple of people behind, he was vigorously trying to catch up. To help, I reached back through the throng of bodies until I felt a hand grasp mine. A shiver spread through my body.
    We made it to the living room, where, as predicted, the band was unsuccessfully packing up their equipment. Wires were crisscrossed, cymbals were tossed about. The bodies milling around in the hot, small space were clammy and packed in close. I held on tight to both Meg and Matt, not wanting to lose them in the crowd.
    “Oh god.” Meg stopped dead in her tracks, forcing me to halt behind her. Matt, unaware of our pause, crashed into me.
    “Oh, sorry, I didn’t—”
    But I ignored him because through the mess of people I saw what had caused Meg to stop. And my heart dropped. Jake had his back to us, but we knew it was him. The blackT-shirt was his staple. His dyed-orange hair, curly and usually gelled, was disheveled. And that was because two hands were raking through it, pulling his face toward hers. While I couldn’t see who was currently ruining Meg’s life, I assumed it