“Katie Hunter!” Katie heard Ryan’s voice before a pair of sweaty arms wrapped around her from behind. “I haven’t seen you in forever.”

“The band’s awesome.” Katie turned and returned his hug. She’d always liked Emma’s older brother, who looked more like a boy scout than a band member with his red hair and freckles, but there was no denying his talent as a drummer.

“Water?” He lifted his eyebrows after peering into her cup. “Are we out of beer?” It had been a recurring inquiry all evening, other kids questioning why Katie wasn’t drinking, as if her lack of alcohol was somehow impinging on their ability to have a good time.

“I can’t afford to get in trouble,” she admitted. And she couldn’t. Tonight reminded her of what it felt like to be free, and she wasn’t about to do something to lose it.

“Could you spend the night?” Emma asked, joining them. Her eyes had the glassy look that came from consuming too much alcohol.

“My parents aren’t going to let me,” Katie said. “Don’t worry, I’ll find a ride.” She began to look around, hoping to see someone who lived close to her.

“Matt can take you,” Ryan said. “Hey, bro,” he called to someone behind Katie. “Are you headed out?”

“Yeah.”

Katie’s heart jumped at the sound of the unfamiliar voice because even before she turned around she knew exactly which Matt he was talking to. He was still with the blonde, his arm draped around her shoulders, and he was looking right at Katie. Katie felt her mouth go dry as she looked into his dark eyes, eyes that looked way too serious for a boy.

“Do you mind giving her a ride? You pass right by her neighborhood.”

Katie was about to say he didn’t have to take her, that she’d find another ride, but when he took her cup, the words dried up in her throat. He smelled it—she assumed to make sure it wasn’t alcohol—and then brought it to his mouth and took several long swallows.

“I’ll take her.” He wiped the back of his hand across his mouth as he handed her back her now almost-empty cup. “You ready?”

He led her to an older-model black Mustang that fit the image she had of him almost as well as the motorcycle she’d pictured him on earlier, and opened the passenger door. “You can wait here,” he said.

She sunk down in the worn leather seat, watching as he led the blonde to a car several yards away. When he pushed her up against the car and began kissing her, Katie dropped her eyes to her hands, not looking up until his door was opening. He smelled like sweat, like someone who’d just finished exercising, but not in a bad way like he hadn’t used deodorant. More in a pure male way that had her stomach tingling in response to him.

He turned the key in the ignition, bringing the engine to life. “What’s your name?”