Page 14 of More To Us

"Austin!" a girl yells. She's right in front of the band, jumping around like a lunatic. She must be drunk.

She leans over to say something to her friend and I get a glimpse of the guy in front of her. It IS him. It's Austin. He's standing there with a guitar, talking to some other guy as he messes with the mic.

"Did you see him?" Amber points at the stage.

"Yeah. That's him."

"Oh my God, are you serious?" She slams her hand on the table. "Austin Wheeler asked you out and you turned him down? You know how many girls are dying to go out with him? He's like the hottest guy in Chicago!"

"Hey," Matt says from behind her. "I'm right here."

She turns back and kisses him. "You're hot too."

"Yeah, thanks," he says, rolling his eyes and smiling.

"You are." She kisses him again. "I'm just trying to make a point here for Kira." She turns back to me. "Austin doesn't ask girls out. He doesn't have to, because girls ask HIM out. So the fact that he asked you out is a huge deal."

"Well, it doesn't matter. I don't go out with liars. He should've told me he was in the band."

The sound of a guitar rings through the speakers, and then I hear his voice. "Ready to rock this joint?"

Girls scream all at once, and the ones up front are reaching out toward Austin and yelling his name. They're blocking my view so I can't see him.

"For those who don't know," he says, "we're Vandyl. I'm Austin and I play lead guitar." Girls scream his name again. "The guy on the drums is Van." More girls scream, this time for Van. "And our lead singer and bass player is Dylan." More screams as they yell Dylan's name. "Ready boys?"

The guys start playing, which gets everyone yelling again. I still can't see the band but I can hear the music, specifically Austin's guitar. He's good, but I'm angry he didn't tell me who he was. There I was talking about the band and he never said a word. Was that all some type of game to make me look stupid for not knowing?

"Hey." Amber nudges me. "You all right?"

"Yeah, I'm fine."

"He's good, isn't he?"

"I guess."

She smiles and dances a little in her seat. The crowd of girls who've gathered in front of the band are also dancing, but they've moved back enough that I can finally see Austin. He's on the left, behind the singer. The lead singer is also hot, in more of a pretty boy way. Austin is more rugged, with cut features and an angular jar. The singer is tall, but not as tall as Austin. And definitely not as muscular. Austin must work out constantly to have a body like that. I check out the drummer next. He's about the same size as the lead singer but has dark, longish hair, and a long face. He too is hot, if you like that hippie artist look.

I glance over at Amber. She's leaned over toward Matt and the two of them are kissing. This is awkward. I'm definitely a third wheel. I glance back at the stage and see Austin looking right at me. There goes my heart again.

When he catches my eye, he smiles. He has a great smile. One of those sexy, alluring smiles that makes you want to smile back, which I do.

"Want another drink?" I hear Amber ask. "Matt's going back to the bar."

I quickly take my eyes off Austin and turn to Amber. "No, I'm good."

"You sure?" Matt asks, getting up from his chair.

"Yeah. One's enough."

He takes off for the bar.

Amber smiles at me. "So what do you think? Hot, isn't he?"

"Who? Matt?"

"No! Austin."

"Yeah, he's hot. But I'm still not going out with him. And besides, they're all hot. Maybe I'll go out with the lead singer instead."

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