He sighed. “Couldn’t sleep anymore. I’m getting anxious to go home, man. I just…really miss Jenny. Like crazy miss her.”

I softly smiled, thinking of Kiera. “Yeah, I know what you mean. I’m ready for a break. Although…there is something I need to take care of first. Want to come with me?”

Evan’s face was instantly suspicious. “Come with you where?”

My smile turned into a wide grin. “I need to go shopping.”

Evan laid his head back on the seat with a groan. “I knew you were going to say that.” The look on his face made me laugh. Evan hated shopping, especially with me. He lifted his head at hearing my amusement. Frowning, he said, “Fine. But if you can’t find what you’re looking for in the first three stores, I’m out. You’re on your own.”

Laughing even more, I nodded. “We should get dressed then, so we can get started.”

He groaned again, sinking his head to the table. “I hate you,” he murmured, looking up at me.

I smiled at his sullenness. “You’ll love me when I help you find something great for Jenny.”

Lifting his head, he pursed his lips. “True. Okay, fine.”

We got dressed, but it was still early, and nothing was open yet, so we took a cab to a diner to get something to eat. Evan laughed as we sat down. “What?” I asked.

He pointed to my pocket. “Your cell phone stays put, got it?”

With a laugh, I made an X over my heart. “Deal.”

Almost immediately after I said that my phone buzzed and chirped with a message, and my stomach began to churn with a now-familiar ache. Knowing it was Gavin, I suppressed a sigh. Evan heard my phone and pointed at my jacket. “I’m kidding. You can get that.”

I shook my head. “It’s not Kiera…she wouldn’t text me this early. She’s at her parents’ place in Ohio, waiting for me.” Needing a distraction, I let out a long sigh. “I’m finally going to meet her parents. I’m not sure what they’re going to think of me.”

My distraction worked; Evan didn’t ask who’d texted me. He smiled. “Why wouldn’t they love you?”

He truly looked mystified, like he really couldn’t see why I might be unappealing to them. “Well, my job for one. Her dad isn’t thrilled that I’m in a band.” I frowned. “He doesn’t consider that a real job.”

Evan swished his hand. “That’s because he’s never heard you. If he had, he wouldn’t be so worried about it. There’s no way you’re not going to be successful at this, Kellan.”