Kissing Ted Callahan (and Other Guys)(17)

“Shut up,” I say, though I guess that both guys I like are maybe not the coolest. “People are alone to buy music. It’s serious. That’s it.”

“That’s why you’re there alone,” Reid says. “Just keep an open mind. That’s all I’m saying.”

“See you.” I click the phone off. For a moment I look around to see if people are hitting on each other like I imagine they do in skeezy bars. It’s boring compared to actual CD shopping, so my attention’s back on the album quest.

“Hey, can I see that?”

I’ve just found the reissue of the Sandwiches’ Getting It, and am not about to hand it over. But when I glance up to see the person the nondescript voice is attached to, it turns out the voice is not an accurate indicator of nondescriptiveness. Cute guy, record shop, CD in common, hello and welcome to the best moment ever, Riley.

Reid might be right.

“It’s the last copy,” I say, not to play hard to get, but because it’s the last copy and this cute boy is not weaseling his way into stealing it from me just because he has eyes the color of dark clouds, spiky, well-coiffed blond hair, one more facial piercing than my parents would deem acceptable (so, one total), and a Coyote Dreams T-shirt.

“I know it’s the last copy.” He smiles like he’s flirting. Maybe he’s flirting! Maybe Reid is 100 percent right! “That’s why I’m asking to see it.”

“You can see it”—I hold it in front of him—“but it’s mine.”

“That’s fair.” He reaches out and holds the CD steady by wrapping his hand around my wrist. I suddenly feel like we’ve gotten to second base or something.

“I like your shirt,” I say while he’s examining the CD, not because it’s particularly a great shirt or anything, but so he’ll know that I know Coyote Dreams.

“Thanks.” He releases my wrist. I’m, I realize, disappointed. “You for sure getting this?”

“I’m totally for sure getting it. Yup.”

Yup? Since when do I say yup? I’m suddenly Riley the Cowgirl.

“Well, you did beat me to it,” he says, “so it’s fair. If you change your mind, though, you can call me, I’ll buy it from you.”

“What?” I squint at him while he takes a pen out of his jeans pocket and scrawls a phone number onto my hand without even asking permission. “They can probably order you one, even though it’s used, or maybe you can check—”

It hits me as I’m talking that this is how guys hit on girls, and not just the best way this guy can think of to procure this album.

“Okay,” I say, like that will mind-wipe him of the string of stupidity I just spewed forth. “If I decide to sell it, you’re my first call.”

“Or even if you’re thinking about it,” he says with a smile. It’s not quite as good a smile as Ted’s, but it comes way easier to him. “I’m Milo.”

“I’m Riley.” I shake his hand, but carefully, so the ink won’t smudge. I want to photograph it for evidence for the Passenger Manifest, because this is a big moment.

“Good to meet you, Riley.”

I try to gauge how old he is. Maybe a year older than me? A senior?

I realize I haven’t spoken for a couple moments, and it’s verging on weird. “Good to meet you, too!”

“I have to run,” he says.

Where to, Milo? Milo, is there another girl? Milo, are you doing something cool, like getting in line for a secret show no one told me about? Milo, please tell me you’re off to your own band practice!

“But call me if you want to talk selling options for the album.”

“Okay.” I hold back saying ten billion more things to him. They’re within me, but I’ve got them simmering under a lid for the moment. My pot might runneth over around Ted lately, but I’m going to be a freaking rock star to Milo.





CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE



Places to Take Someone That Could Be Romantic, by Riley


VIP Lounge at the Troubadour

I’ve never been up there and I want to! It looks like they have couches, so you could sit with someone on a couch and feel important and exclusive together. (I am against PDA, though, so no kissing or whatever else on the couch.)

Secret room in the school no one knows about

I don’t know if Edendale has any of these, but if so it would be pretty sexy sneaking off to it to make out with someone.

Hike in Altadena

I went here on a field trip once. There’s a waterfall you could stand behind to make out and no one would know you were there.

Your own room

Duh.





CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR


Reid cannot believe the story of Milo the handwriter.

“I can’t believe that guy did that!” he says as we walk to English lit.

I didn’t call him last night because I was basking in the glow of having been hit on. Also, homework. This is our first chance to talk today since he got to school late because of a dentist appointment. Reid’s really into his dental hygiene. “He just did that!”

“You’re the one who said people go there to meet people,” I say. “And he gave me his number. He didn’t have sex with me in the store or something.”