When we were finally done, our souls poured into all of our best songs, I felt exhausted, yet more energized than ever. The crowd went nuts when they realized it was over—whistling and clapping their approval and appreciation. It…awed me. I raised my hand to quiet them. “The band and I would like to thank you all again. You’re the best fans that we ever could have asked for and we’re going to miss playing for you every weekend…”

Those words hollowed me, and I had to take a moment to compose myself. Grinning through the painful ache of change, I pointed at Matt. “Now, let’s all go over to Matt’s place and get royally fucked up!” This party wasn’t over yet. I didn’t have to say goodbye yet.

Matt frowned at me while the bar exploded in a chorus of cheers. Oops. He probably hadn’t expected me to invite everyone, but honestly, it wouldn’t be right if we didn’t. This was their moment too; we wouldn’t be here without them. And it would be fine. Matt overprepared for everything.

A lot of people filtered out of the bar after the show, but I stayed, so Kiera and I could go to the party together. Even though I was more or less sober, Kiera insisted on driving. I let her. Mostly because she was right—better safe than sorry. But also, because she reminded me about my uncouth comment to Denny about her not hanging out “down there.” That was an argument I really couldn’t win. First place dick, right here.

By the time we got to Matt and Griffin’s, the party was at full force. We had to park down the street it was so packed, and as I took in all the cars and listened to all the noise…I was really glad I’d paid off the neighbors. It probably would have already been shut down if not for my monetary motivation. Worth every penny.

The noise intensified when I opened the front door. It washed over me like a physical thing, and I suddenly felt like we weren’t at Matt’s suburban utopia anymore. No, we were suddenly in the hottest nightclub in Seattle, only this one was filled to bursting with people we actually knew. Or kind of knew. Not all the faces I was spotting were familiar.