Zach finally glances over at me and his eyes bug out. He slinks away from the other kid. If you tried to cut the awkwardness in the room with a knife, the blade would break.

This night is going splendidly already.

Conor sprints across the room to greet Lucy. “Luce! So great to see you. How are you? Where’s the rest of your drum kit? You need help schleppin’ it?” He’s basically drooling on her. Standard behavior around Lucy, trust me. Her sex appeal knows no bounds. She nods and the two of them take off, leaving me stuck.

I remember that Lucy said that Chim would be here tonight. I open my mouth to mumble a goodbye, because I need to get the hell out of this tiny room, which is starting to give me hives, when my eyes land on Zach. His face is bright red. He looks so out of it and so pathetic that I can’t help but take pity on him.

“Hey.” All three sets of eyes land on me, and the guitarist gives me a little smile that creeps me out. Who the hell is that guy? What I wouldn’t do to wipe that grin clean off his face. Lucy made me swear up and down that I’d be chill tonight, though, and I’m trying to honor my promise. I shake my head at him and sneer. “Not you. You.” I point at Zach.

His eyes light up, and I feel even more like shit for ignoring him all week. Not that he doesn’t deserve it. Or maybe he doesn’t. I don’t know anymore.

Zach points to himself like Who, me? and I nod like Yes, obviously you, dummy, get over here. So he does.

“Want to go see what’s happening out there?” I motion to the main room behind us, where I can hear a band starting to play.

He lets out a deep breath it sounds like he’s been holding for most of the night, and nods.

—