Doing her best to bury her sorrow deep, where no one else could see it, she retrieved her books as quickly as possible and charged down the hall. When she got into her first period classroom, she sat down and took big breaths, trying to erase the images and hurt feelings, and failing at both.
“Ready for the show tonight?” Troy asked. “It’s going to be
Summer glanced at Troy and did her best to sound enthusiastic. “Yeah. I’m looking forward to it.”
Troy’s eyebrows drew together. “You look kind of sad, Sunshine. What’s up?”
Summer shook her head, not wanting her voice to betray her. Her throat burned with the effort to keep from bursting into tears, but she managed to choke out, “Nothing.”
Troy opened his mouth, but before he could say anything, Mr. Jennings stood and started his lecture. He dove into the topic of ionic and covalent bonds, managing to add even more to Summer’s misery.
Summer stuffed her money into her pocket and hurried out of her bedroom. As she descended the stairs, Troy and Dad came into view. They stood in the entryway, their voices too low for her to make out words. When she’d first started dating Cody, Dad kept asking what had happened to Troy. He hadn’t been very subtle when it came to his preference about who he’d rather her spend time with. Even after she explained that she and Troy were still friends, but they were both with other people, Dad continued to ask about him.
Dad stuck his fingers between the blinds, creating a gap large enough to see out the window, and peered outside. “You’re still driving the Cherokee, I see.”
The first time Troy had picked her up to go to Equinox, Dad had gone out to inspect the Jeep. Instead of acting annoyed like most people did, Troy had gotten down on the ground and proved how much he knew about his vehicle. Dad ate it up.
“I am,” Troy said. “And all the maintenance is up to date.”
“Good.” Dad turned away from the window and looked at her. “Just you and Troy tonight?”
“No, we’re picking up a couple more people. It’s not a raging party unless you’ve got lots of peeps.” Summer stuck out her tongue and threw both hands up in the rock and roll sign.
Dad let her know he didn’t think her joke was funny by furrowing his brow. “You’ve got your mace?”
“Dad, they won’t let me into the club with mace.”
“Right.” Dad gave Troy a stiff pat on the back. “Then I’m counting on you. Don’t let her out of your sight.”
Troy slung his arm over Summer’s shoulders, jostling her against him. “I’ll take good care of her, Mr. Davis, I swear.” He grinned, obviously happy with his over-the-top performance—she couldn’t help but smile at it either.
Dad gave one sharp nod. “I like this guy. Troy, you should come over more often.”
“Oh, I’m sure Summer’s boyfriend would feel differently.”
“You didn’t tell him?” Dad asked, glancing at Summer. “In theory, Cody’s history. Right, kid?”
Summer breathed through the sting those words caused and nodded. “Right. Now we’re going to be late if you don’t let us go. We’ve still got more people to pick up, and who knows how long their parents’ protective speeches are going to be.”
“Okay, okay. Be good, and be careful. Remember, defensive driving is smart driving.”
“Later, Dad.” Summer grabbed Troy’s arm and pulled him out the door, wanting to forget about everything and get on with this night. An entire week had gone by since she’d first seen Gabriella, and so far, she didn’t have anything to show for her efforts. Tonight’s mission was to get Ashlyn over her prejudice so Summer could start with the rest of her job, which she still had no clue how to do.
Troy opened the passenger door of the Jeep for her. He got in, and fired up the engine. “So, you and Cody are finished?”
“We broke up yesterday.”
Troy glanced over his shoulder, then pulled onto the street. “Why?”
Summer took a deep breath, trying to figure out how much to share.
“Sorry,” Troy said. “I guess I shouldn’t be prying.”
“I really just want to forget about him and have fun tonight.” She picked at a thread on her jeans, not wanting to say more, but not wanting things to be weird. “Hey, you think they’ll play
“They better. It is the song our friendship was founded on. That and the keys.”
Summer grinned, remembering the first day she met Troy.
Feeling a little lost and lonely at her new school, Summer had put in her earphones, turned up her music, and found an empty bench outside. A group of boys were skateboarding around the parking lot, jumping curbs and doing tricks. She watched them, remembering her brief stint as a skateboarder back in Chicago—she’d taken it up to impress a guy. She crashed a lot, never got a hang of the really cool tricks, and ended up realizing the guy was totally wrong for her, though he ended up being a great friend.
Troy’s tricks brought him closer and closer to the bench. After a few minutes, he rolled up to her, tapped the end of the skateboard with his foot, and caught it in his hand. “So, what are you listening to?”
“
“You know they’re from here. I saw them play last year.”
“Really? I bet they’re killer live.”
“It was definitely one of the best shows I’ve ever been to.” He sat next to her on the bench. “How ‘bout The Black Keys?”
Summer scrolled down her list of songs and held her iPod up so Troy could see all the Black Keys’ songs on the screen. “Not only do I have ‘Wicked Messenger’ by them, I also have Bob Dylan’s version. And while the purist in me wants to say the original’s better, I can’t help but love the Black Keys’ version. The guitar and the drums and Dan Auerbach’s voice.” She gave a dramatic sigh. “It’s just all so perfect.”
“I think that’s the hottest thing a girl’s ever said to me.” Troy grabbed her hand. “Run away with me?”
She laughed, and it came out a little nervous sounding, due to the fact he was holding her hand and her stomach was filling with butterflies.
He smiled at her, still not letting go. “Troy, by the way.”
“Summer.”
“Troy, are you coming, or what?” One of the guys in the parking lot yelled.
“Sounds like I’ve got to go.” Troy released her hand and grabbed his board. “I’ll see you around, Sunshine,” he said and then strolled toward the parking lot where his friends were holding open a car door for him. She was starting after him when he spun around and flashed her another smile.
Imagine her disappointment when she found out he already had a girlfriend.
After that first meeting, she would be walking down the halls and hear, “Hey, Sunshine!” Immediately, she’d know it was Troy, coming to update her on a cool new band he’d heard. He was much more of a music snob than she was. He hated the dance music she loved, claiming if instruments weren’t involved it wasn’t true music, and there was no convincing him otherwise.
Now, Summer stared at him again, taking in his profile in the dim interior of the Jeep. A lot had changed since the day they’d met. Yet being there with him, on their way to a show, reminded her of everything she used to love doing. Of all the little things she’d given up because of her relationship with Cody.
“Thanks for inviting me tonight,” she said. “I’m really excited to hear the new stuff.”
Troy glanced at her. “Me too. I’m glad we’re hanging out again.”
A spark of happiness broke through the sadness she’d been feeling all day. If only it could carry through the night and help her accomplish her mission, she might just survive the week after all.
Equinox was busier than normal. People lined the bar, and there was room to walk, but just barely. As usual, the black floors of the old building were slightly sticky. Small tables dotted the back half of the room and ran up along the sides. Flashing lights lit the dance floor in the middle. Up front, the stage stuck out in a semi- circle.
The place brought back memories of Summer’s first few months here, when she’d been all about coming to the shows with Troy and his friends. Whenever Kristen had come with them, she’d stare Summer down, keeping
