“It was just me and Leon, and . . . then my parents showed up.”

A car honks and we both jerk in the direction of the sound.

“Hey!” Leon yells at the driver, arms flung up in the air. The driver must have been coming around the corner and nearly run into Leon crossing the street.

A second later, Leon is on the sidewalk next to us. He slings an arm around Alex’s shoulders. “We got another gig booked next month.”

Alex groans.

“Wait, wait, he was just about to tell me about naked lightsabers.”

Leon’s grin disappears, his exuberant countenance flipping to solemnity in the space of a second. “We do not speak of that night.”

I glance between them. “But I need to know. Why naked lightsabers?”

Alex chuckles. “A more relevant question could be why not naked lightsabers?”

“I need to hear this story,” I say.

“No story,” Leon says. “We made a pact that night and it was written in blood.” He presses a fist to his chest, gazing off into the distance, his expression somber.

Alex grins at him. “I think we actually tried to write it in urine on my parents’ front lawn.”

Leon nods, still solemn. “Right.”

I burst out laughing.

“Tell me about this gig.” Alex slaps him on the shoulder. “So I can try to get out of it.”

Leon steps back, bouncing around and shaking off the serious demeanor. “C’mon, man, we’re getting better. We’re going to have our big break. I can feel it.”

“He keeps saying that,” Alex tells me.

“How long have you been performing together?” I ask.

They exchange a glance.

Alex sighs. “Ten long years,” he says, the same way someone might describe a prison sentence.

I laugh. “Really?”

“Leon!” One of the leggy blondes is standing at the door of the Saloon.

Leon waves at her and then tosses me a cheeky grin, a dimple appearing in one cheek. He walks backward, arms extended. “My fan group awaits.”

Alex shakes his head. “Our fan group is your sister. And her two friends.”

Leon points at Alex. “Still better than none. Nice to meet you finally, Jane,” he calls out before he turns and jogs back across the street.

I turn back to Alex. “He’s funny.”

“He’s the best.” He gives me a wry smile.

“How long have you been friends?”

“I’ve known Leon since second grade. We started the comedy-music thing in high school, just for fun. And no matter what I do, it just never ends.”

I laugh, and he smiles in response, stepping closer and weaving his fingers through mine, making my heart jump in my chest.

My smile drops and I swallow. “That’s amazing. I-I don’t have many friends.”

Eloise was my best friend, but I haven’t talked to her in months.

His brows dip and he steps closer. “I find that hard to believe. You’re easy to talk to.”