So I scooted back and shared the edge of a blanket with Avery.
“You think the rain will hold?” Ella was leaning against Quinn’s legs and looking up. The dark clouds loomed, blotting out the stars, and against the nighttime sky they looked ominous.
“Hope so,” Dakota said, sitting between Shane and Nate, who had returned with Jessie. “If not, we can head out, since we’ve seen half the show already.”
***
Ninety minutes later, there was a break before the final act. During that time I had answered a couple of more questions Ella and Avery had about my accident and rehab. Dakota listened in but kept quiet. I could feel her disappointment, her disillusion, heavy as the blanket I was sitting beneath.
Kai stood and announced to the group that he was going down to the pavilion to see his favorite band up close and personal. I could see the exhilaration in his eyes, the lightness in his features. He looked so stunning right then—in his element, surrounded by music.
The Black Tresses were more of a rockabilly band with a bluesy mix, and I could almost imagine Kai up on that stage with them. I hadn’t seen him play a gig in a long while, but I’d heard he was sitting in with a jazz band at the casino in a couple of weeks.
“I have an extra ticket if anyone wants to head down with me.” Kai glanced over his shoulder and then back toward the stage. I eyed my friends, all cozy beneath their layers. Even Nate and Jessie were sitting pretty close together. Dakota and Shane, of course, were pretending like they weren’t.
“I’ll go,” I said, raising my hand to him. “Help me up.”
He gave me a lopsided grin, latched onto my fingers, and pulled me up to stand. Dusting myself off, I turned to my friends. “Keep your cells close in case we get separated or you guys want to take off. This place is like a zoo.”
I waved as I followed behind Kai down the hill.
“Rachel, wait up.” Avery’s voice was loud enough to be heard over the din of rock music piping through the speakers during intermission.
She trudged toward me through the grass, followed closely by Ella. Kai was a few paces ahead, but stopped to wait for me near a bunch of rowdy guys on a plaid blanket.
I turned toward my friends, my stomach clenched tight. “Yeah?”
“We just wanted to say . . . that it’s okay,” Ella said, gripping her plastic wine cup. “Don’t feel bad about . . . you know, not telling us anything.”
“I already feel terrible.” I toed the grass as a flash of heat climbed up my neck. “And I can’t say I’m sorry enough. But . . . thanks for trying to understand.”
“You’re different out here,” Avery said. “More relaxed and comfortable. Maybe it’s because you’re home.”
She looked over at Kai, who patiently stood with his hands jammed in his pockets, waiting on me.
“Or maybe it’s the company you keep,” she said, wiggling her eyebrows. Ella laughed.
“You mean Kai?” Panic rose in my throat. Crap, was I that obvious? “We’re just . . . friends. We grew up together.”
“I realize that,” Avery said. “And that’s awesome. But don’t keep lying to yourself like I did.”
“What do you mean?” I lowered the volume of my voice, as if Kai could even hear our discussion. Or as if Dakota could, for that matter, even though she was three blankets away.
“It’s the way you look at him,” Ella blurted out, as I worried my lip between my teeth. “We’ve both noticed.”
“Shit,” I whispered, ruffling my fingers through my hair. “You guys, no . . .”
Yet another lie. Would it ever end?
“Don’t panic, asshead,” Avery said, placing her hand on my arm. “You don’t have to fess up to anything. It’s just . . . I think he brings out something good in you.”
“Plus, he’s pretty hot,” Ella said with a dreamy look in her eyes. “And he’s different than your normal type, which is a refreshing change.”
If they had noticed, did that mean Kai had, too?
“And I really like your best friend,” Ella said, looking back at Dakota. “So bring her back with you for a visit in the fall.”
She kissed my cheek, and they turned to head back to our friends.
“Wait!” My voice rang out. I looked back at Kai for courage and then mouthed sorry to him. He shook his head and turned back to the stage to watch the band set up.
“Listen, guys,” I said as they turned back toward me. “I do have to fess up.”
They looked at each other, confused.
“I haven’t been a very good friend. I realize that now,” I said, my voice wavering. “Worst of all, I didn’t tell the truth.”