“Yes.” My mouth was dry. “Of course. UCLA here I come.”

“You’ll love it there. The way your dad talked about the campus—I wish he could be there with us when you move in.”

My throat tightened. “Me too. Accounting just like him, too. You know how much I love spreadsheets.” I could crank them out with ease, unlike when I tried to squeeze out a note and my throat was like a rusty gate. Singing for Dare gave me hope, though. Maybe I could do it. Maybe in my time in LA, I’d be able to turn my minor into something else. Intern at a studio. Maybe Freddy had a few contacts.

She laughed like I should take my comedy show on the road and rethink college all together. “He always said it grew on him. I’m heading—” She stood and froze spotting the guitar out of its case and resting against my desk.

“Is that your dad’s?”

I nodded.

“He loved to play with you.” Her voice was wistful and sad. “But that world was never kind to him. So many false starts and broken promises. Every time he’d come back from a studio session or giving someone his demo and nothing came of it, it crushed his spirit a little more.”

“He loved it anyway.”

“Maybe he shouldn’t have.” She shook her head. “All those late nights in the studio. If he’d been resting and sleeping, not spreading himself so thin…”

“The doctors said it could’ve happened at any time. And he loved the studio. He loved being there with Freddy.”

“Freddy.” She made a dismissive huff before closing her eyes and shaking her head. “What are your plans tonight?”

“Finishing up schoolwork.” I gestured to the books on my desk. “I also need to go over the tech crew notes for the senior awards ceremony on Wednesday.”

“You’re always so busy.” She came into my room and kissed me on the forehead. “Be good and lock up when I’m gone.” She paused at the doorway and tapped her hand against the door jamb. Her mouth opened and she closed it again before waving and heading downstairs.

After a few more minutes, the front door closed.

I sat on my bed in silence, waiting for any indication that she was coming back. There were still two hours until I needed to meet Dare.

I grabbed the guitar and let those feelings flow through me. The anticipation. The feel of his lips on mine. Every second his eyes are on me.

At five minutes to ten, I gathered everything I’d need tonight.

I opened the front door and yelped, nearly walking into Dare’s outstretched arm, mid-knock.

“Dare.” I didn’t mean it to come out as breathy.

“Hey, Bay.” He wore that lazy smile like a perfectly-fitting pair of Vans.

I stepped outside, locking the door.

Dare didn’t back up, so my back pressed against his chest. “Where are we going?”

I peeked at him over my shoulder and shoved my keys into my bag.