Chapter 26
I tuck my phone away. Remaining hidden behind a stack of amps, I watch Tempest perform. One number leads to another. I know from the set list that their finale will be “Listen.”
Their song is better than Brutal Strength’s. It’s more rock ’n’ roll. But I know others will have different opinions. Music is personal, like who you choose to be your best friend.
I search for Bo again from the safety of the shadows. I can’t let my dad catch me looking for him. He continues to blame Bo whenever I find the courage to defy him.
“Hey, Peace.” Harmony appears and steps into the shadows beside me.
“Where’s Mark?” I ask, my stomach tightening.
“He’s getting me a beer.” She removes her pink sunglasses and places them on top of her head.
“Harm.” I frown at her. “You can’t drink alcohol. You’re underage. And you know Dad will go nuts if he sees you with Mark.” Dad likes Mark even less than Bo, and that’s saying something. I don’t think he’s ready for us to get older. But Harmony is acting like she’s sixteen, not fourteen like we are now after our shared birthday.
“Dad’s not going to see.” She wrinkles her nose. “He’s too busy.”
“That’s what you said when Mark came by the house and look what happened.”
“I appreciate you covering for me.” She throws her arms around me. Her expensive designer perfume makes my eyes water.
“You already thanked me.” Straightening, I gently put space between us so I can breathe. “Have you seen Bo?”
“Yeah.” Her eyes flicker with some emotion I can’t read. “He’s out back.” She points. “By the food tents. Smoking.”
“Okay, thanks.”
I know Bo’s been smoking. He started when he turned fifteen. We argued about it. Harmony isn’t the only one doing things she shouldn’t.
“I’ll see you later.” I start to turn, but she puts a hand on my arm, stopping me.
“Wait.”
“What is it?” I glance at her hand, then up at her face.
“Never mind.” She releases me. “I was just going to ask you to hang with me and Mark, but I remembered you don’t like him.”
“He’s not a good influence on you,” I tell her, but that’s far from the only reason.
“You sound like Dad.”
“I guess I do.” I sigh. “You act different when you’re with Mark.” This is another reason.
“Different how?” She tilts her head.
“Different not in a good way,” I say. “When you’re with him, you act uppity and mean.”
Mark is part of the in-crowd at our school. He maintains his status by treating anyone who doesn’t kiss his ass like they’re an enemy. I’m not the only kid he torments.
“Mark says you think you’re better than everyone else.”
That hurts. “I do not.” My brows pinch together.
“Just because you’re smart and the teachers like you,” she continues like I haven’t even spoken, “doesn’t mean you’re above us.”
I start to defend myself, something I don’t do often enough anymore, but she cuts me off, waving a dismissive hand in the air.
“Mark is back,” she says and points. “I gotta go.”
I frown at Mark, and he frowns back. I’m in the enemy camp. I already knew that, but I didn’t know that Harmony and Mark talk about me.
As she walks toward him, I don’t say anything. It wouldn’t matter what I say. She barely listens to me anymore. My gaze narrows when I see that Mark has two plastic cups in each hand that appear to be full of beer.
I don’t know where or how he got alcohol since he’s a minor, but I’m not going to interfere. Not this time. If Mom or Dad find out, Harmony will get in big trouble, but maybe it will be good for them to find out that she’s not as perfect as they think.
With the sound of applause echoing in my ears, I head out back. My heart beats faster in anticipation. Despite all my excuses, I can’t wait to see Bo.
However, my heart stumbles, and my body comes to a complete stop when I find him. He’s not alone, and he’s obviously not waiting for me. He’s with a girl.
Crystal is the daughter of one of the roadies. She’s older than me, older than Bo, but he leans in and kisses her. My heart rises to my throat, choking me. Bo seems to know what he’s doing.
I haven’t kissed a boy. I’ve thought about it a lot, but the only boy I want to kiss is him. I know we’re just friends. I know I shouldn’t have wanted anything more. But I have, and it hurts to see that desire crushed.
Bo is only a friend, my best friend, but I realize I’m probably not his. How can I be a best anything when there’s a whole other part of his life that doesn’t involve me?
Tears filling my eyes, I spin around and head back the way I came. Fast. But I’m not fast enough to outrun the image of Bo kissing Crystal or the hurt witnessing that kiss causes.
That’s a hurt I’m afraid will last longer than the promises we made beneath a shooting star.