Leah on the Offbeat (Creekwood #2)(24)

“Yeah, we get it,” I say.

“We do need a pianist,” Taylor says slowly. “Morgan just quit the band.”

“What? Really?” says Garrett.

“Yeah, because Leah was being a dick again,” Anna mutters.

“Oh.” Garrett glances nervously between Anna and me. “This is about the UGA thing?”

“You mean the fact that Morgan thought I got in because I’m black,” Abby says.

“She doesn’t actually think that.” Anna blushes. “No one thinks that.”

Abby snorts. “You’d be surprised.”

And then no one speaks for what feels like an hour.

Finally, Taylor turns to Bram. “What’s your favor?”

“Right.” Bram shoots her a tiny smile, shutting the door gently behind him. “So, I think I’ve got my promposal figured out.”

“What? Oh my God!” Taylor exclaims. “You’re promposing to Simon?”

He nods slightly, and she emits a joyful squeak.

“But I need you guys—Nora, you especially. He’s giving you a ride tomorrow, right?”

“To school?” Nora nods. “Yeah.”

“Do you think it would be possible to get him down here at exactly eight fifteen?”

“You’re promposing to him in the music room?” I ask.

“Yes. Hopefully. And actually, I have a question for you, too.”

“Hit it,” I say, peeking over his shoulder, where Nick’s settled onto the floor beside Taylor. It’s hard to know what to make of that. Maybe it means he hasn’t made up with Abby. Not that I care. It’s just weird.

Bram bites his lip. “Do you think I could borrow that drum kit?”





11


THE TRICKY PART IS THE timing. Getting Simon to school by 8:15 is easy. Getting him there at exactly 8:15 takes a little more finesse. Thank God Nora talked me into spending the night, because who knew Simon Spier was so aggressively punctual in the mornings. It’s taking all our combined efforts to stall him.

“You guys,” Simon bellows up the stairs at 7:44. “Come on, let’s go!”

“Just a minute!” Nora yells back.

“What are you guys even doing up there?”

Nora pokes her head out into the hallway. “Dude. Cool your jets.”

“Is he always this excited about school?” I mutter.

Nora rolls her eyes. “Yeah. He likes to do homework in the mornings with Bram.”

“Homework,” I say, with air quotes.

“Exactly.”

Simon clambers up the stairs and hovers in Nora’s doorway. “Guys. We’re going to be late.”

“No we’re not.” Nora calmly latches her guitar case. “You just want to get there early to see your boyfriend.”

Simon huffs. “I have homework. Come on. We’re leaving.” He grabs Nora’s backpack.

“Wait,” Nora says. Simon looks exasperated, but Nora just shrugs. “I think I’m wearing two left socks.”

“No. No you’re not. That’s not a thing,” says Simon. “Let’s go.”

Then he hoists the backpack onto his shoulder, already tugging his keys out of his pocket. I swear to God, that clueless little peanut. It’s like he’s determined to ruin his own promposal.

Nora and I exchange wry glances as soon as he leaves the room. “It’s fine. We can stall him in the parking lot.” She grabs her guitar case.

The Spiers live five minutes from school—I think they can technically walk there. Simon pulls into the senior lot and checks his phone as soon as the car’s off. I check the clock on the dashboard: 7:57.

“Actually, I need advice,” I blurt.

It’s a foolproof question—Simon loves being needed. And sure enough, his whole face lights up. “Yeah. Okay, yeah, sure. Let me just text Bram . . . okay. What’s up?” He turns all the way around to face me.

“It’s about Garrett,” I say, leaning forward between the seats.

Ten minutes later, Simon’s talking in circles. “So, you just no-showed?” he asks.

I shrug sheepishly. “Yeah.”

“But Garrett thinks you went to the game.”

I nod.

“Leah!”

“Am I the worst person?”

“Well, no,” says Simon. “That would be Voldemort.”

“But I’m close, right? Like, Voldemort is here.” I level my hand up, almost to the roof of the car. “And I’m here.” I drop my hand a few inches. “And then the next worst guy is down here. Like, the dentist who killed that lion. He’s right here.”

Nora laughs. “Wow.”

“You have to tell him,” says Simon.

My stomach drops. “You think?”

“Yeah.” He nods. “You should be honest. Just explain what happened, you know? Garrett’s a really nice guy. He’ll totally understand.” Simon rubs his cheek, pondering this. “Or . . . you could say you got sick. Okay, that actually sounds more plausible. You could just be like, ‘Hey, I was about to leave, but then I got really, really sick, and I couldn’t even check my phone.’”