“I only play when I’m alone, and not seriously or anything,” I said. “I used to play more, but my mom… She didn’t approve. Told me to focus on piano, on violin and clarinet. ‘Real instruments,’ she called them. Probably because she used to play the guitar and that’s how she met my dad…” I trailed off, but Kyle nodded. I’d told him all about my family before. “When I was a kid, she caught me playing her old guitar and nearly smashed the thing. She was drinking, of course. It scared the crap out of me, and after that, it was easier to keep that part of myself hidden. But I’m really sorry I didn’t tell you.”

“It’s all right. I get it.” He sighed again. “Are you sure you want to do this?”

“No, I’m terrified.” I choked out a little laugh. “But I also want to help you.”

His face softened a little. “I appreciate that. I really do. But I don’t think that’s the only reason you’re here.”

“Of course it is.” I tried to keep my face blank. Was my attraction to Jared so obvious that even Kyle could see it? I didn’t plan to act on it or anything.

“Is it really? Because we can’t have another Becca situation.”

“What happened with her anyway?”

“She and Jared hooked up about a month ago.” He scowled at his brother, still in the garage. “They both admitted it was a mistake the next day, but it was never the same after that. Becca started drinking more, and she got crazy jealous any time he was with another girl. They’d fight, and then I would smooth things over and then it would happen again. We all hoped she’d get over it, but then she started showing up to rehearsals drunk—if she showed up at all—and well…you saw what happened last night. I don’t think Jared actually expected her to quit the band, but none of us really want her back either.”

“Nothing like that is going to happen with me. Trust me.” Becca’s situation hit a little too close to home, and I was definitely not following in her—or my mother’s—footsteps.

“I know, but…I just don’t want you to get hurt. I love my brother, but he doesn’t do relationships. Promise me you won’t get involved with him, okay?”

“I won’t, I promise.” I gave him a smile that was more confident than I was. “And I’ll only be in the band for one day anyway.”

“True…” He gave a reluctant nod, and we went back inside.

“Everything okay?” Jared asked.

“We’re good,” Kyle said. “Let’s hear her play.”

They all looked at me, and I froze. “What? No.”

“Great, a guitar player who won’t play guitar,” Hector muttered.