“So, when do you go on?”

“In a couple of minutes. I’m really glad you came. It means a lot to me.”

He kissed me on the lips and wrapped his arm around my waist. Any negative thoughts began to drift away as I stood there in Nash’s embrace.

“Do you want me to get you a drink?” he offered. “I hear that the margaritas are great.”

“Sure, but get me whatever you’re having.”

“Are you sure? The last time you drank you kind of ended up wasted.”

“I’m sure Nash.”

“Okay then.”

He disappeared into the crowd. People around me were locking lips in every corner.

A few minutes later Nash made his way back to me.

“Here you are,” Nash said as he returned with drinks.

Snapping my head back, I took the drink from Nash and downed half of it at the start.

“Thanks,” I said when I finally came up for air.

“You’re welcome… Someone was fucking thirsty,” Nash said, shaking his head with a bewildered smile on his face.

“Damn right!”

“I’ll be back soon,” he promised. “If you want another drink just drop my name. I started a tab.”

I nodded and watched him get sucked up by the crowd yet again until he appeared on the stage, a guitar around his neck. He adjusted the microphone and then searched the place. Was he looking for me or someone else? Who else would he be looking for? I thought he wanted to show me off. Why would he say that if he was planning on finding someone else while he was here?

Maybe I was being paranoid.

The alcohol was getting to my head but I didn’t stop drinking. I did, however, slow down, nursing it.

“Hey there everyone!” Nash shouted into the microphone. “Are you having a good night?”

He was answered by drunken cheers from the audience.

“All right, well I’m Nash and this is The Renegation! Are you ready to hear some great music?!”

More cheers came from the audience and I found myself clapping along.

“Lily, this one is for you.”

My eyes widened as someone shone a spotlight on me and heads turned, staring at me. I gave Nash an embarrassed wave as he strummed his guitar.

Leaning up against a pole, I listened as Nash dove into a rendition of Brown Eyed Girl. His eyes didn’t leave me through the whole song and I felt a lump in my throat. This was why he wanted me there. I swiped at the tears that trickled down my cheeks. The song ended and Nash continued, starting his own songs. I took the chance I had and, after finishing my drink, slipped through the door to the cold night. Bundling my jacket close to me, I sat on the stone steps and stared at the starlit sky.

How did I get so lucky?

There I was, the good girl, getting the bad boy’s heart. How did something like that even happen? It was like I took a page out of some young adult novel. I was almost waiting to wake up and realize that this was all just a dream. A girl like me didn’t get a guy like him…

Ever.

So how did it happen?

“Excuse me.”

I looked up to see a red headed woman standing in front of me. She wore a long green pea coat and had a beret on her head, also green. She wore knee high boots and I could see the faint line of a pencil skirt under her jacket.

“I don’t mean to bother you but I was wondering if The Renegation is playing tonight?”

“Yeah, they are. They’re actually in the middle of a song right now. They just started.”

“Thanks,” she said.

I scooted over to let the girl through and felt a gust of heat hit my back as she went inside.

Well she wasn’t the person I would imagine going to see Nash’s band.

Then I laughed.

I wasn’t the type of person to listen to Nash’s band either and yet there I was.

Following the girl’s lead, I stood up on unsteady feet, and wobbled my way back inside. I stayed in the back and out of the way, not wanting to bring any more attention to myself. Grabbing another drink, I settled down and listened to my boyfriend’s band play their hearts out.

Another hour later, the music finally stopped and the band stepped off the stage. The set was over and they were congregating around the bar, passing out congratulatory drinks. The red head was also at the bar and she was nursing some pink drink, talking to Nash.

Furrowing my brow, I tried to think whether or not Nash mentioned he had a friend coming. She looked familiar but I couldn’t place her. Had I met her before? Did she go to school with me? Nash looked up and caught my eye. He smiled, said something to the redhead, and weaved his way over to me.

“Hey there sexy, what did you think?”

“You were amazing,..”

“Thanks.”

“Thanks for the dedication,” I added shyly.

I wanted to tell him that I loved him again but I kept my mouth shut. I didn’t need a repeat of the other day.

“No problem…”

“Who’s that?” I asked, motioning my head in the direction of the redhead.

I couldn’t help but ask.

“A fan,” he said, but something told me that there was more to the story than he was leading on.

“Have I met her before? She looks familiar.”

“I don’t think so.”

He dropped his eyes and started to play with his cup. Something was definitely going on.

“Does she go to our school? Maybe I have a class with her.”

“She’s just a fan Lily,” Nash said with a laugh.

“But I think I recognize her.”

“Maybe she just has one of those faces, you know? The type of face that you swear you know even though you don’t.”

“I guess,” I said, even though I wasn’t convinced.

Maybe I didn’t know her but Nash did and he wasn’t telling me how. I resisted the urge to press him about the situation. I didn’t want to start a fight on such a great night so I kept my mouth shut and smiled.

“How about we get out of here?”

“That’s the greatest plan you had yet,” I told him winking. “Back to your place?”

“Perfect.”

“Hey!” Nash cried as I rolled over, taking the blankets with me. “I’m cold over here too, you know.”

“Shut up,” I mumbled. “I need to sleep. Sleep is good.”

I snuggled deeper in the pillows. There was a rustling of sheets, a cold breeze, and then I felt Nash’s hard, warm body next to me. He draped an arm over my waist, his hand cupping my breast lazily.

“You smell so good,” he murmured in my hair.

“I’ve been sleeping, how can I smell good?” I asked as I slit my eyes open.

“Because you do,” he said. “You always smell good, Lily.”

Nash kissed my shoulder and I smiled. Through the slits of my eyes I could see the sun rising, coloring the sky in reds and pinks.

“I love you.”

My eyes whipped open.

“What?” I asked.

“I love you,” he said again, moving his hand down to my hip.

My heart drummed against my ribs and I was sure that Nash could feel it. I was speechless. I lied there shocked for a while but finally found the courage to speak.

“Nash?”

It was too late. Instead of an answer, I heard the sound of Nash’s soft snoring; he fell back asleep.

I love you.

He said the three words that I was desperate to hear. But did he mean it? Maybe in his drowsy state Nash said it. Who knew what would happen when he woke up.

He was probably still drunk.

I could only hope not.

I hunched over a table at the school’s library, reading over my history paper and making corrections as I went. My head pounded and my stomach turned from being hung over.

And that is why I don’t drink. It never turned out good for me.

“Hey, Lily.”

I turned and Turner stood in front of me.

“What do you want?”

I hadn’t heard from him since he got upset in the common area. I curled my hands into fists, digging my nails in to the palms.

 “I came to apologize.”

“Apologize? Do you really think that some apology is going to make up for what you said?”