Page 73 of More To Us

"How many songs have you written?" I ask, trying to get us off the topic of Dylan. But I also asked because I'm impressed that my boyfriend can write songs. I thought he just played the guitar.

"I've only written two that we've actually played, but I have others that I'm working on. Van writes most of our songs."

Austin's phone goes off and he checks it. "Sorry, I need to get this." He answers it. "Hey, we still on for tomorrow?" He listens, nodding. "Yeah, that works. I'll be there at eight-thirty." He smiles at me. "Kira's coming. I tried to get her friends to come but they can't make it. I was just telling them about your song."

Amber hops off her barstool. "I have to use the restroom."

"I'll be right back," I tell Austin, knowing Amber expects me to go with her.

There's only one restroom, and it's unisex and only for one person. Amber yanks open the door and we see a guy standing there, peeing. He sees us and doesn't even care.

"Oops!" She quickly shuts the door, then pushes me down to the end of the hall. "Don't people know how to lock a freaking door? Gross!"

"Look. He's coming out."

She turns, and as we're looking at him, he smiles and starts walking toward us. We both shake our heads and yell, "Boyfriends!"

He nods and walks the other way.

We both start laughing.

"Did he seriously think we'd want to go out with him have after that?" she says. "Did you get a look at that thing? It was like one of those mini bananas. Remember when your mom bought those?"

"It totally looked like that!" I'm laughing so hard I can barely talk.

God, I've missed her. We used to have fun like this all the time. Crazy stuff would happen to us and we'd be laughing our asses off. After being apart for years, I didn't know if we'd still be this way, but we are and I love it. If she'd just leave me alone about my leg and my workouts, we'd get along great.

"Okay," she takes a breath, "so back to why we're here. I'm totally freaking out."

"Why?"

"Because your boyfriend was talking to Dylan! Right there at the table!"

"Yeah? So? Dylan didn't know you were there."

"But Austin could've said my name and then—" She pauses. "I guess you're right. There's no way he would know. But still. What am I going to do if Austin keeps inviting me to hear him play?"

"I don't know. That's a problem. But maybe once school starts, you'll have more excuses to use. You're in like a million activities."

She sighs. "Can't you just date someone else?"

"No. So you need to get over this. Just tell Dylan you lied and then everything will be fine."

"I can't. I'll just have to keep finding ways to avoid him."

I don't understand her hang-up with this guy, but whatever.

"At least I got you out of going to hear him play tomorrow night."

"Dinner?" She whacks my arm. "That's the best you could do?"

"I didn't know what to say! And besides, I think it'd be nice for you and Matt to have a romantic dinner."

She huffs. "Yeah, except I don't know how to cook."

"Just go to the grocery store and get one of those prepared meals that you just have to heat up."

"They have those?"

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