Page 15 of Step By Step

Donna dismisses him the minutes she spots me, though. I take a deep breath as she comes at me, putting on my practiced smile. I back up, hitting the mic stand, almost toppling it over. Laughing, she still advances on me, closing the space between us. Telling her I am seeing her supposed best friend seems to have no effect on her flirtations.

“Jenna would have told me if she got a boyfriend. We have been best friends forever. Why would I believe you? Just tell me you don’t want me,” she taunts me, wetting her ruby red lips in a move she must think is sensual.

“We have been together all week, almost every single moment. How could she have had time to tell you we were dating? Besides, how would I know you were friends? How would I know she writes for your band? And you know, she writes her own music too. It’s amazing, she let me listen to it.”

Donna’s eyes narrow as she seems to consider my words. I take the chance to move back from her again. All I can think of is how it might look. How a crowd watching us might see this. I back up until I almost stumble off the side of the stage.

Wouldn’t you know my luck? Glancing past her for an escape, I see the worst possible sight. Any other time, hell, even ten minutes ago, I would be delighted to see she came. Now, not so much.

Standing feet away is mybrand-newgirlfriend, Jenna, watching me fend off her supposed best friend. From the look on her beautiful face, the way she fusses with her glasses, I can tell it looks as awful as I feared.

“Jenna! Wait!”

I want to chase after her, tell her what she saw is not what she thinks. That I would never—could never—do something so foul. I do not get a chance because Terrie is there with a mic, letting me know it is showtime.

Yeah, showtime—right when the show might be over with my new girlfriend.

Chapter Eight

Jenna

Seeing is not always believing.

Because I just saw the man I am falling for flirting it up with my best friend. I stood and watched them talk, his charm shining from his perfect smile to his beautiful eyes. It was like a knife to the chest. Not just because we shared something so special, so intimate this morning—because why the hell did it have to be Donna?

Donna has been my best friend most of my life. I love her. I trust her. At the same time... I am always envious of her. Living her dream, getting to be a rock star as she sings her heart out. I stay hidden behind the scenes, where I always have been.

Once I met Jordan, I felt seen for the very first time. He cares about my music, even the classical, personal prose I wrote. He cares aboutme. And what I think; we have talked for hours almost every single night since that first night at the park.

“No way, dude. No way, no way, no way. I told you, he has never dated, not seriously. I mean, like, there was a girl in high school. I think they held hands. So hot, right?”

“I saw them together. I mean... I saw them...” I trail off as I start to agree with Tina. No way he would do that. But do I believe my best friend would?

Pacing the aisles of Tape Deck, I am shaking. I am so upset. It was honestly harmless. They were just talking. Except I have never seen guys just talk with Donna. No guy would ever choose me if they could have her.

“Would he... Tina, would he choose me over her? If he had a choice?”

Tina laughs, snorting that cute snort. Turning to glare at her, I see she is staring at me with a confused look. I frown, tilting my head as I fuss with my glasses. What could she be so confused about?

“Girl, you serious? I adore you, I think you might be brilliant but... girl,don’tbe stupid. I’ve known the guy most of my life. I told you, he barely ever looked at girls. Just like you, like me, it was music for us. From the moment,” she leans closer as she balances cross-legged on the counter, “dude, the moment he saw you, he never took his eyes off you. Yes, you dumb-dumb, he would choose you.”

Pushing her playfully so she falls off the counter, I let out an aggravated sigh. I am both flattered and offended. I pace some more, nodding my head to the music filling the store. Most of the stores have emptied. Everyone is headed to the center court for the show.

“One time a few years ago,” I start, still nodding my head to the music. “There was this guy at a show. Just a cute guy at a show. He had eyes on Donna until he found out I wrote their music. I was so flattered. We barely spoke for a few weeks. I figured it hurt her ego, I apologized.”

“For her being a self-centered jagoff?”

“I guess? For me taking some of the spotlight?”

“Look, you know this girl. As well as I know Jordan. He would not do this to you. If you think about it... wouldshedo this to you?”

Her question ping pongs in my head for the rest of the night. Tina stays even after I tell her to go to the show. She claims it’s a sign of solidarity. We turn up the music since half the mall is hanging out at the show. Dancing around the store as we close it down, we sing at the top of our lungs, sweeping and mopping through dozens of songs.

Once we’re done, we head out together, laughing over the good time we had. We agree to go to a late-night club for some drinks. I am not sure how I can face Jordan or Donna right now. I don’t know what to think. I decide a few drinks will help me clear my head.

On our way to the club, she keeps switching through the radio stations, puffing from a joint as she steers through the streets. I consider suggesting I ought to drive given her state. Tina brushes it off with a laugh before she slams on the break right in the middle of a deserted street.

“Tina! I need to drive, girl,” I tell her, reaching to turn off the car so I can snatch the keys.

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