Page 2 of I Just Want to be Yours

I kiss her one more time without thinking, grab my notebook and guitar case, and rush out the door.

2

margot

“Matt has our tickets, right?”I ask Rae as I adjust my high-waisted shorts and crop-top. She and I have been getting ready in our apartment for most of the morning. We’ll be at the festival all day, and I’m buzzing to see Jackson on stage again. It’s crazy to think I haven’t seen him perform since the show in Chicago. The guys have mostly been working in the studio while he’s been here, making music for the next album, but this music festival is their one show here at home before they’re back on tour again.

For five months.

I freeze as I stare at myself in the mirror. It’s hard for me to wrap my head around him being gone for that long. He’s become a huge part of my everyday life, and I’m not ready for that to change.

“Yeah, he and Braden will meet us outside whenever we’re ready.” Rae walks over to share the mirror and adds another touch of mascara before she steps back and checks herself out. She looks incredible. Her blonde hair is curled, she has a cute bohemian headband, and she’s wearing shorts like mine. Paired with her long flowing sleeves, she looks likeshe could rival Stevie Nicks. “What time does Jackson go on?”

I step back from the mirror, finally content with my look. “He said we should be at the side of the stage around 1:30 so he can make sure we’re front and center before they play at two o’clock. He’ll join us after his set.”

“I can’t believe your boyfriend is in a band,” she says with a laugh and a shake of her head.

A smile stretches across my lips. “I can’t believe my boyfriend is Jackson.” When we first started dating while he was on tour, it was a little challenging, but not nearly as much as I thought. Maybe his bandmates being older is a good thing. They don’t get too wild, and Jackson usually made a point to text me every night. But having him here feels like a wonderful alternate universe. We’ve been good—better than good. There’s nothing like waking up and going to bed with your favorite person, and that’s what he’s become.

Grabbing her stuff, Rae chuckles. “Well, yeah. That, too.”

She texts Matt to let him know we’re ready, and by the time we make it out the front door, both guys are standing there, waiting for us.

Seeing Matt and Braden wearing khaki shorts and polo shirts doesn’t exactly scream music festival or rock concert, but I don’t think that’s ever been their style, anyway.

“Holy shit,” Matt says as he takes in his girlfriend. I can’t blame him.

“You have our tickets, right?” Rae asks.

Matt rolls his eyes. “Yes, I have our tickets.”

My mouth quirks. They’re both used to being the responsible friend. Rae has always kept an eye out for me, and Matt has always kept track of Jackson.

Matt reaches for his back pocket and pulls out the four tickets Jackson gave us. Stuffing them back into his pocket he says, “Now can I appreciate how my girlfriend looks? Because . . .”His eyes trail down her before finishing his sentence. “Damn.”

Rae shakes her head, keeping her lips tight to hide her smile. “Margot looks ‘damn,’ too.”

Matt’s eyes never leave hers. “It’s not my job to tell Margot how good she looks.” His eyes quickly jump to me, so he can add, “No offense, Margot.”

I laugh, loving how much he adores her. “None taken.”

“Well, as someone who isn’t dating either of you, you both look ‘damn,’” Braden says.

When my eyes meet his, I grin in appreciation. I like Braden. He’s a lot like Matt, who I adore, so it’s easy to be around him. Really, Matt couldn’t have asked for a better roommate. He might be lifelong best friends with Jackson, but he and Braden have more in common. And one thing’s for sure, his apartment is much cleaner with Braden living there than his dorm ever was with Jackson.

Rae gives Braden a smile, too. “Thanks.”

Matt nods toward the parking lot behind us. “Let’s go watch Jackson shred it up.” He starts playing air guitar, and Rae and I shake our heads.

“Do people really say that? ‘Shred it up?’” She narrows her eyes at him playfully.

He pauses for only a second. “Of course they do. I just did, didn’t I?”

Looking over at me, Rae sighs. “He’s going to want to join a band again after this, isn’t he?”

With a lingering smile on my lips, my eyes jump back to Matt who’s still walking backward and playing air guitar for us. Leaning in closer to Rae, I say, “Even if he does, I think you’re safe.”

Matt points at me, but somehow still manages to hold his invisible guitar with one hand. “I heard that, Margot.”

---