Page 89 of Your Rhythm
“We should get some champagne!”
The shout comes from a teenaged kid I didn’t notice before. He’s got a shade of sandy hair I recognize right away, paired with a typical lanky adolescent build and a black t-shirt and jeans ensemble that could have come right out of Matt’s closet.
“This is my brother, Kyle,” Matt introduces him, “who isnotgoing to be drinking any alcohol today.”
“I’m Kay.” I offer Kyle my hand. “Matt’s told me about you.”
He shakes it and gives me a smile that I know is going to be as dangerous as Matt’s one day.
“Likewise. Only, he left out some choice details when he told me aboutyou.”
Matt smacks him on the back of the head. “Behave! Or I’ll make you hang out with Mom and Dad instead.”
“I’m kidding!” Kyle protests. He lets go of my hand. “Matt says you’re a music journalist. I’ve actually got some questions about what that’s like. Maybe we could talk later?”
I tell him I’d love to, and I mean it. Just when I thought my heart couldn’t get any more full of admiration for Matt, he had to go all Adorable Big Brother on me. I watch him ruffle Kyle’s hair, and the two of them do some sort of secret handshake that’s cuter than a basket full of puppies.
JP shuffles over and gives Kyle a fist bump.
“This kid is all right, you know,” he tells Matt. “You should have him around more often.”
“JP says he’s going to show me his homemade beer funnel.” Kyle’s almost bouncing up and down at the thought.
Matt rolls his eyes. “This is exactly why I don’t have you around.”
Cole and Ace join the conversation after that.
“So you two”—Ace gestures between Matt and I—“are a thing now? For real?”
Matt looks to me for guidance. I can’t read Ace’s expression right now, but I don’t hesitate when I tell him he’s right.
To my surprise, he smiles. It’s a real smile, not one of the sarcastic smirks or ominous grins I’ve seen him make before.
“Good.” He claps Matt on the shoulder. I nearly stumble over myself in shock when he does the same to me. “I don’t know if anyone will ever deserve this guy, but I’ll let you give it a shot.”
“Hey, Kay,” Cole adds, his hands in his pockets, “when Matt said the ‘thank you’ was from all of us, he meant it. Your article was good, and everything’s square between you and the band.”
Matt’s arm circles my waist and I lean into him. I don’t even feel the urge to blush when he plants a kiss on my hairline and all the guys hoot.
This is exactly where I want to be right now. I’m not alone anymore, and for the first time in my life, that doesn’t scare me at all.
“So,” Kyle prompts, as the group falls silent for a moment, “champagne?”
