When we all turned to head to the band’s usual table, I stopped in my tracks. A man I knew very well was sitting at the table, waiting for the band. Denny Harris, the ex–love of my life. Kellan noticed who had my attention and stopped too. Denny stood up, hands casually tucked in the pockets of his jeans.
Denny had changed a bit since coming back to Seattle. He seemed older, more mature. There was a confidence in the way he carried himself, and his dark brown eyes simmered with self-assurance. He just seemed to know who he was and what he wanted, and that wasn’t me anymore. He was hopelessly in love with his girlfriend, Abby. It had hurt at first that he’d moved on—but I had too, and I couldn’t be happier for him now.
Denny grinned at us as Kellan scoffed in astonishment. We crossed over to him, and Kellan immediately pulled him in for a one-armed hug. “You came to see me off?”
Denny shrugged. “You guys are about to hit it big. This might be the last chance I get to see you.”
Kellan looked away, a small smile on his lips. “I don’t know about that.” He looked back at Denny. “But I’m glad you’re here.”
I stepped up to give Denny a hug after the two friends pulled apart. Since I was sure Kellan was still a little uneasy about me being too friendly with Denny, regardless of how many times he’d told me he was fine with our friendship, I kept the hug as brief as politely possible.
Denny turned to the other band members once he’d greeted me. As everyone squished around the table, I took a seat catty-corner to Kellan. When Denny was finished congratulating everyone, he took the only empty spot, next to me on the end of the table. Ironically, Denny, Kellan, and I were sitting in the exact same seats as the first time Denny and I had joined the band for a beer.
Denny looked over at me as Kellan ordered the table of round of shots. I saw a soulful expression pass over my ex’s face. Maybe he too was pondering how drastically things had changed for us. I raised an eyebrow at him in silent question, and his contemplative mood evaporated. With a slight chuckle, he shook his head and turned to watch Emily approaching our table with our drinks.
Kellan was watching me as shot glasses were set in front of everyone. I didn’t feel the twinge of guilt I used to feel when we were all together. Instead, I grabbed Kellan’s hand and kissed his fingers, letting him know that I was his, bound in my soul.
Kellan gave me a smile that was loose and easy. He understood. My mom watched the dynamic between the three of us with a crease on her brow. I think it still blew her mind that we were all friends, especially since she now knew exactly what had transpired between Kellan and me.
When everyone had their shots—except my sister, of course, who was at the other end of the table staring at a cup of apple juice like it was toxic—we lifted them to make a toast.
Matt opened his mouth to speak, but his loudmouthed cousin beat him to it. “To fame, fortune, and scores of loose women!” Griffin downed his shot while the rest of us stared at him; Dad glowered, but then again, he usually did around Griffin.
When Griffin smacked his empty glass on the table, Matt continued with his toast like nothing had happened. “To good friends and good music. May we always have both.”
“Here, here.” We all clinked glasses, Denny and I stretching across the table to reach Anna and Rachel, then we downed our potent drinks. It burned, but Matt’s well-wishes made the sting worth it.
We all talked, reminisced, and enjoyed each other’s company until a sullen Troy walked up to the table. Eyes on Kellan, he told the group, “Your cab is here.” My heart sank a little, and I fortified my stomach. Goodbyes were just a way of life with Kellan, and I had to get used to them.
Matt glanced at a clock on the wall and smiled; being the pseudo-manager of the group, he had made all of the travel arrangements. Keeping his motley crew on task and on time made him happy. Kellan helped me stand up, and we all headed out to the parking lot. Sure enough, the taxi Matt had arranged for them was there.
The band began their goodbyes. Kellan gave me a quick kiss before turning to say goodbye to the people he wasn’t sure when he’d see again. He hugged my mom, shook hands with my dad, and rubbed Anna’s belly. He gave Rachel a friendly hug, lifted Jenny a foot in the air while she giggled, and clapped Troy on the shoulder. Troy’s grin was glorious after that. While Kellan was busy, I said my goodbyes to Evan and Matt. Evan gave me a huge, lung-crushing bear hug, Matt a gentle, reserved squeeze. I kept my distance from Griffin, waving at him from the other side of the group. Then Kellan was standing by my side again.
Lacing my fingers with his, he looked over at Denny and extended a hand. “Watch over my girl for me?” Denny’s expression blanked as he glanced between Kellan and me. Kellan smirked and added, “But not too well, okay?”