Page 135 of Life of the Party

“Your CD.” I grabbed it from his hands. “They’re out now? Grey, this is awesome. That’s you right there. Are there more pictures? Does it have the lyrics…?”

Grey laughed at my enthusiasm. He pulled me across the console and into his lap, kissing my smiling lips. “You, Mackenzie, are one of a kind.”

“No, I’m not. You are.” I replied seriously, gazing up at him. I gripped his face in my hands so he would understand the sincerity of my words. “I’m so, so proud of you. Really.”

Grey smiled, his cheeks reddening ever so slightly—but I could tell my words made him happy. He opened the case, peering at the dashboard of my car a moment and chuckling. “I think CDs were a little before this car’s time.” He tapped the cassette deck in the dash face and smirked.

“Oh.” I hadn’t realized my car was that old. “Sorry.”

“It’s okay. We can get you one of those adapters. But I guess this will have to wait.” He put the CD back in its case and snapped it shut. “For later.”

“No, it won’t. Come on, I have the best idea.” Eagerly, I turned the key off and opened up the door. “My parents have a stereo. Let’s go blow their minds.”

Grey followed me hesitantly, unsure. “Somehow I doubt our music is your parents’ style. It’s a bit…heavy, don’t you think?”

“They can handle some shaking up.” I smiled and grasped his hand again. “Seriously, they’ve been…really cool today. I don’t know how to explain it, but I have a feeling they’re going to love your music. Like really love it too, not just pretend.”

“You think so?” He seemed skeptical, but there was no denying the hopefulness there, apparent in his face. Despite everything, he really wanted my family to like him. I could tell.

“I’d bet money on it.”

“Okay then. You’re on.”

I held up Grey’s CD triumphantly as we rejoined my family in the living room. He watched me, hanging back, unsure of the spotlight as I turned on the stereo and put the disc in the tray.

“What’s this Mackenzie?” Mom wondered.

“Grey’s CD. It’s finally done.” I showed them all the case.

“Can I see that?” Marcy asked, holding out her hands. I threw it over and she opened it up, flipping through the booklet inside.

“So, what type of music do you play?” Dad asked Grey.

“Uh…hard rock…I guess you could say. It’s not exactly seasonal.”

I giggled at his description and then hit play. We sat back and listened as the first song came on—chugging heavy guitars and screaming, thrashing vocals. I looked over at Grey from the corner of my eye, and smiled. He tried to keep his mouth straight, his features composed, but as Zack wailed into a screaming guitar solo the laughter burst out of him. I couldn’t help myself, I had to laugh as well.

It didn’t take long before everyone was laughing, whether we were all in on the same joke or not, I couldn’t tell, but it helped ease the tension in the room.

“It’s okay, we don’t have to listen to it.” Grey offered. “It’s a bit heavy.”

“No, I like it.” Dad insisted. “I used to know a thing or two about rock and roll. Just ask Deb here.”

“Yeah, you were a regular Paul McCartney.” Mom rolled her eyes, making us laugh again. There was no way my dad—with his strait-laced suits and ties—was ever into anything heavy. He was a Simon and Garfunkel fan, through and through.

But it was nice that he was trying.

“We can’t stop until you hear the best part.” I grinned. Grey cleared his throat as I flipped to the last song on the CD. He crossed his arms and leaned against the wall.

The music started slowly, quiet, with just the gentle plunking of a piano and the soft strumming of his guitar. As Grey’s warm, velvet voice sounded through the speakers, I melted back into my chair, closing my eyes and letting the sweet sounds of his voice and the words of his lips sink deep into my heart.

“Sitting here in the dark, Mackenzie’s next to me.

She’s lying in the moonlight, shining silver in the sheets.

And though it pains me so, I know I have to go.

I have to leave Mackenzie lying all alone.

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