More Than Each Other (More Than Best Friends Book 2)

by Sally Henson

  “Listen, I only have a few more minutes. You know Ross, my roommate?”

  “Yeah?”

  “He asked me if I’d be interested in trying out for his band.”

  I gasp, bouncing up and down on my bed. “Are you serious!”

  Lane laughs, sounding like a little boy. “I know. I can't believe it.”

  “You haven't been playing that long. I can't believe he thinks you’re that good.”

  “Thanks,” he says full of sarcasm.

  “I didn't mean it like that.”

  “I know.” He chuckles. “Can you believe it?” His excitement rings through the phone. “I’ve been singing back up and playing guitar when I practice with them.”

  “Wow, Lane, this is so great.”

  “They have a gig this Friday. Ross wants me to be there.”

  Wait, what? “Friday? Where at?” Please tell me I heard you wrong.

  “Yeah. Most of their gigs are around campus. Greek parties and stuff.”

  The image of half-naked girls dressed like Greek goddesses sears my brain. Ugh. I can picture them hanging all over Lane, mashing their bodies against him. He’s flames and hard to ignore.

  “Regan?” Lane breaks into my crazy thoughts.

  “Uh, that's great, Lane. Great” I try to sound enthusiastic for him, but I don't think I quite make it.

  The line goes silent.

  Don't be selfish, Regan. You’d expect his support if it were the other way around. “You, on stage, will be so awesome. You'll be great.”

  “You’ve been saying ‘great’ a little too much. Are you sure?”

  I force myself to smile and hope it transfers to my voice. “You can't let this opportunity pass you up. You're going to have so much fun. Wait ‘till I tell everyone tomorrow.”

  “Wait. Don’t say anything yet. Just in case, you know, I don’t do well.”

  “Sure. My lips are sealed.”

  “Thanks.”

  “I wish I could come watch you.” I sigh. As if my parents would allow that.

  “Me too,” he says with a soft voice. “You don't know how much. It's just a try out, though. It's not a for sure thing.”

  Is it wrong for me to hope he doesn't make it? Yes, you dummy, of course it is. “One song and the crowd will be screaming for more.”

  “One song and they may throw rotten tomatoes at me.” He chuckles, but I can hear a hint of self-doubt in his voice.

  Music is inside him. It always has been. “I can't vouch for those other guys, but you, Lane Oliver Cary, are an amazing singer.”

  “Regan,” his soft voice more serious. “I won't do it if you don't want me to.”

  “Don't be ridiculous.” Don't offer it again, Lane. You'll end up regretting it because I need you here, with me.

  “You’re the best. I wish I could talk longer, but I need to go, or I'll be late for work.”

  I force another smile, even if I don't mean it. “Okay. Talk to you Friday.” I hang up before I say something we’ll both regret.

  28

  Lane

  Ross huddles up the band. “Stick to how we practiced. Everyone have their lineup?”

  I taped mine to the stage so it would be easy to see.

  “Lane, you good?” Ross asks.

  I nod a thousand miles an hour. “Yeah.”

  “No pressure, Cary.” Joe heckles, pressing the tip of his drumstick into the center of my chest. The guys laugh.

  Right, sweaty palms, dry mouth, ready to throw up at any second—I’m definitely feeling the pressure.

  Ross finishes his pep talk. “Let’s make this count.”

  Every band member bumps fists as the Music Mutts are announced and we take our spots onstage. I’m so freaking excited, and I don’t want to screw up.

  Ross speaks into the microphone, holding his hand in the air to settle us down. He turns to Joe and nods.

  Joe racks his drumsticks together. “One, two, three, four.”

  Jitters make my fingers shake as they hover over the strings of this beautiful guitar Regan bought me. My foot taps the wood floor of the stage, keeping the beat while I wait for my cue to come in. Guitar solos won’t be one of my tasks, because I’m just not there yet.

  The crowd is awesome and keeps growing as the night goes on. I fumble a few times playing guitar, but I don’t think anyone notices. The guys from biology were going to come tonight. If I scan the faces, I’m afraid I’ll get off track and screw up, so I blur them out.

  The second half of our set is mostly me as lead singer. The guys and me, we’re all in tune with each other. We’ve got some kind of mojo going on, and my feet aren’t even touching the ground it’s so freaking amazing. This is stage awesome.

  Playing baseball was a lot of fun. I was good at it. But this is...kissing Regan is the only thing that compares.

  It’s late, or early since it’s Saturday, and after one in the morning. We were so hyped after playing the guys wanted to check out some parties. That’s not really my thing. I need some food, and the Burrito Factory is the after party for me. Jayce and Ross join me. Joe and Luke head out to scope out the parties. They’re supposed to let the rest of us know where to meet up with them.

  “Lane, man,” Jayce starts in, “you did good. We were so hot tonight.”

  I chuckle at his description. The band was hot? It’s not a small town, country kind of thing to say. “Thanks. Yeah, we were synced up. Being on stage was better than I ever thought it would be.” I shove the rest of my food in my mouth.

  “Dude, you like ate half a cow!” Ross teases.

  “I’m starving,” I answer with my mouth full. “I haven’t been able to eat all day. I was so nervous.”

  They laugh and share their own first-time stories.

  “You’re party hoppin’ with us, right?” Ross asks. He probably knows I’m not.

  I scoop up the trash and dump it in the bin. “Nah, I need to get some sleep. Driving home in the morning.” I’m anxious to see Regan and tell her all about tonight.

  Jayce shakes his head. “You’re so whipped.”

  I grin, leaning my hand against the back of the booth. “She’s worth it.”

  They slide out of the booth. Ross grips my shoulder, and says, “We were going to tell you together, but since you’re leaving…” He looks to Jayce. Jayce nods. "We all agreed, you’re in.”

  My insides start dancing. I want to take a victory lap right here in the restaurant, but not in front of the guys. “That’s great! Thanks, man.”

  Jayce props his arm on Ross’s shoulder and smirks. “All the chicks were like, “Who’s the new hottie?” So we thought at least you’d draw a crowd.”

  I toss a punch to his arm, throwing him off balance.

  He shuffles back a step. “What?” He laughs. “Okay, so you can sing. But it’s true, the chicks were all about the new guy.”

  Ross holds his hands up, defending himself. “Hey, I told them you were taken.”

  I shake my head. If that’s even true, the new will wear off soon. “Can you drop me at the dorm on your way to wherever?”

  Jayce steps in front of me, gripping my shoulder. “Come on, man. You gotta celebrate with us.”

  I glance down at my shoes. Sure, I want to hang out with them, but a party? Bad news. “Sorry, Jayce. Not tonight.”

  When I get back, I take a long, hot shower to help relax my muscles that have been on edge all day long. It helps some.

  I lay in bed and play back my screwups and the high from being on stage. If Regan were on campus, we’d still be sharing the night. I’d go out if she was with me. Ugh, I wish I could at least message with her or talk to her right now.

  Jacked-up Panther house is a must this morning. I buy a large half coffee, half milk with an extra shot of espresso and get Regan the hottie-hot chocolate. That’s the nickname I gave it because, well, the first time she drank it, Regan was so hot. Like I was practically speechless at how sexy she was—the way she looked at me—sipping th
e chocolate with whipped cream on her lips. In my mind, I was already kissing her when she actually pressed her sticky-sweet lips to mine. It was like a dream.

  Only half a cup of coffee down and I’m exiting the interstate at Stelmo. My phone dings, and I glance at the screen. Whoa, I must’ve been driving way too fast if I got here in forty-five minutes.

  At the stop sign, I check the message. This town doesn’t get in a hurry, period, let alone before nine on a Saturday morning.

  Tobi: Wanna play cowboy today?

  Me: Sounds like fun. Got plans though.

  Tobi: Steak dinner tonight? Video games? Movie?

  Me: Homework. Girlfriend