***Chapter Thirty-Nine***
“You’re joking, right?” Dillon raised a brow.
I was telling her and Cameron about my date with Keegan. I was also telling them how Drew practically bombarded it for some odd reason. It still left me feeling angry at him for being such a doofus. There was no reason for him to invite himself and Juliana as a double date situation. He didn’t even look like he enjoyed himself. He was there just to be there, and for what? It was pointless and very agitating.
Cameron knew more than Dillon did, so his mind was already reading the situation differently than the two of us. His weird idea that Drew liked me looked more possible, but I didn’t want to bring myself to believe it. Not when he had someone like Juliana. Why would he like me while also liking her at the same time? My brain couldn’t fathom it because Juliana is just perfect. He wouldn’t give that up for someone like me.
“Yes, and it angered me to no end!” I yell. “Why would anyone want to intrude on someone else’s date? It makes little sense.” I rant.
Cameron laughed, agreeing with me but also reiterating his idea. “I’m telling you, he has some sort of weird feelings for you, Anna.”
Dillon disagreed. Mainly because she didn’t want me getting my hopes too high. “Or he could just be very suspicious of Keegan,” she counteracts. “As a friend, he might not want you to get hurt.”
They both had good points, and he was always bringing up Keegan. Whatever the case, I still didn’t like how he handled things. Even if he doesn’t like Keegan, he could at least be supportive of me. In that moment, I felt like he wasn’t being supportive and instead trying to control every aspect of my life without asking if it was ok. I’m not some little girl that needs to be protected anymore. We were in college and I could talk to whoever I wanted. Dating isn’t always going to go smoothly, but until he shows me exactly how Keegan is a bad guy, then I’ll continue to see him.
As for Keegan, despite our uninvited guests, we had a great time together. We still didn’t know where our relationship was going, but it’s headed in a good direction so far. After last night, we couldn’t stop texting one another. Anything he would send would leave me with a gigantic smile on my face, and I’m sure he felt the same. It’s strange how we got to this point since he not showed at the party. He’s made great efforts to change that and so far, so good.
Setting my phone down, I look back up at my friends, wanting to not talk about Drew for a moment. “Either way, it didn’t stop Keegan and I from having a good time together.” I say with a smile.
Dillon chuckled, looking at my face. “That much is obvious.” She beams. “You were on the phone all night.”
My cheeks flush. “I don’t know…last night up on the big wheel felt different for us.” I say, happily recounting the memory.
“I’m glad to see you’re finally embracing him.” Cameron nudged me.
I have been pushing down some feelings for Keegan. I mean, I wasn’t too sure if I should let myself give him a chance. I guess I was afraid that if I do, then I would lose Drew. It’s still a fear of mine, but it couldn’t stop me from talking to other people completely. Drew, and I weren’t exclusive in any way. He was free to talk to who he wanted, which would be Juliana. So I was going to try my best with Keegan. It’s not like my crush on Drew would ever turn into anything else. It’s obvious whatever we had going on was simply based on lust and lust alone. Now it was time to put more of my energy into Keegan. Even if it meant seeing Drew less.
My phone buzzed again with a text from Keegan as I answered it. Dre came over, leaving a small kiss on Dillon’s forehead before telling us what was happening. It shocked me to hear, but it didn’t at the same time. There was a talent show going on that Cameron failed to tell us about this weekend. Unannounced to Drew, Dre signed the three of them up as a group to perform Drew’s new song. My heart bumped in my chest, remembering when I heard him sing it. That would be amazing for everyone to hear, but it still confused me how they were going to perform as a group.
“You guys heard the song?” I asked them, shocked. “How are you going to perform as a group?”
Dre laughed. “Of course I heard it, did you?” He asked me back as I nodded my head. “Well, I play a mean drum solo and Cameron over here is a bass guitar wizard.”
Cameron shrugged. “I try.” He says. “We still need one more person to handle the main guitar because Drew said he wouldn’t be able to focus on performing while also singing.”
Dillon laughed. “Is this like a behind the scenes of getting the band together type thing?” She laughed, as did I.
I also had a wicked idea as well. “I don’t know how Drew would feel about this, but I could see if Keegan could do it.” I suggest.
It was a wild suggesting, and technically this was Drew’s thing. I don’t think having Keegan there on stage with him would make him thrilled, but it was worth a shot. If Keegan could even play the guitar. It’ll be perfect though since he’s someone they all already know instead of having to meet someone new. They all have great chemistry together, even if it’s rocky with two of them. Plus, we girls, Juliana and Kayla included, could help get the word out once they come up with a name. This would be a fun side project to work on with them, too.
Dre was hesitant, but realized they needed someone to do it. “Can you get him over here fast so we could see?” He asked me.
I nodded, texting Keegan the details of the situation. Within the hour, he made it over here as we all went outside to his car to meet him. Honestly, he wasn’t that skilled in the craft, but better than your average person. With more practice, he’ll be able to knock it out of the park. The others seemed to agree with me as I smiled at him. The only problem they had no was convincing Drew to do it. Dre already had them signed up, but that didn’t mean Drew had to agree to it.
“He’s very territorial about his work,” Dre explained. “He’s also very critical of himself.”
That made sense, as Dillon agreed. “Yeah, even with his rough exterior, Drew gets in his head and is not afraid to back out last minute.” She added on to Dre’s point.
“Plus, with Keegan here, I don’t know if it’ll go over well at all,” Cameron said, also thinking of what to do. Then it’s like a light bulb went off. “Anna, you have to convince him.”
All eyes fell on me as if that was the magic answer to everything. I don’t know how my talking to Drew would change his mind. They all seemed to think I have this magic sauce that’ll get him to do whatever I wanted. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case, and it wasn’t my song. I couldn’t make him perform something he didn’t want to, even though this could be a great opportunity for them. Besides that, we aren’t on speaking terms at the moment. I wasn’t just going to waltz into his dorm room when I’m already mad at him. He probably didn’t even want to see my face, given that we hadn’t spoken to each other, not once today.
I shake my head violently. “Oh, no, that’s not happening,” I declined. “I’m not even speaking to him right now.” I cross my arms.
“Come on, Annabelle, you have to be the one to do it.” Dillon said. “You’re the only one he’ll listen to, and Juliana would just agitate him if she did it.”
Cameron agreed. “I know what he did wasn’t cool, but we need him.” Cameron says, almost pleading with me.
I still was on the fence about the whole thing. “Why can’t we just get Julie? The song is for her, anyway. I’m sure she’ll love to hear it.” I’m trying to think of everything I can in order to avoid seeing him.
“I know little of what’s going on, but what I *do* know is that Drew values your opinion a lot,” Dre interjected. “If you tell him, he’ll do it, no questions asked. You saw what happened at the football game.”
What happened at the football was a different situation. He knew I wasn’t lying about being ok so he calmed down. This was a different ballpark. We aren’t talking about some guy randomly hitting me. We were talking about Drew’s art, his baby. How can I convince him to do something with what he created? Especially not when he’s seen Keegan and I’s relationship growing. I doubt he’d listen to a damn thing I say after yesterday alone. Yet, this was our only option, as their point was right. Drew did value my opinion and if I could get him to perform his song for the people in our school, then I’ll do it.
Sighing loudly, I frown with a cross of my arms. “Fine! But you all owe me.” I point to every single one of them, including Keegan.
It satisfied them, prompting me to go speak with him as soon as possible. At least before tomorrow, so they’d have time to practice. I still didn’t think this conversation would go over well with him. There were so many other things I wanted to get off my chest. Seeing him would distract me from my purpose. This still needed to be done, regardless of my discourse. Let’s just hope we don’t kill each other.
***
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