Kissing Ted Callahan (and Other Guys)(33)

“And getting seen,” Reid says. “We get seen by enough people, we won’t have to finance something on our own.”

“Guys, I have to go.” My voice comes out sounding like Ashley whining to stay up late so she can NON-IRONICALLY watch another episode of Toddlers and Tiaras. “Sorry, I just have plans.”

Reid walks me out. “Garrick?”

“Milo. Secret show at the Echoplex. Coyote Dreams.”

“Nice,” Reid says.

I start to tell Reid that I’ve ended things with Garrick, but I haven’t brought up Ted yet. And at this point I know I should, but it feels like a longer conversation than I have time for right now, and I don’t feel like getting the inevitable dozen follow-up texts while I’m seeing Coyote Dreams. So I just say good-bye and go.

Milo has already staked out a prime spot in line when I arrive, which is great because every single show at the Echoplex ends up with a line snaked down the block. He gives me a tight hug when I walk up. “You made it. How was practice?”

“Semi-good, semi-annoying. So, the usual.”

“Yeah, I’m pretty sure that’s how every Arcade Fire practice goes.”

“Nathan wants us to record an EP, which would be great, except that it costs money we obviously don’t have.”

Milo nods.

“Except Nathan actually has all this money because his parents are rich, so he’s all, oh, I’ll just pay for it, no big deal,” I say. “But it’s like if we let him just do that—”

“He has the power in the band,” Milo finishes for me.

“Exactly! And that would be bad enough, but Nathan’s practically a dictator as it is. He’s so bossy about everything and is always, like, hey guys, let’s be really serious about things, the way I am.”

It’s possible I’m making Nathan sound even assier than he actually is, but I’m comfortable with it because it still feels like I’m conveying the truth.

“I could beat that guy up for you,” Milo says, and I think he’s kidding, but I also think he actually could. I devote a moment or five to imagining that beatdown.

Milo nudges me, but in a suave not-trying-too-hard way. “What are you smiling about?”

I don’t think Milo should know I’m fantasizing about his beautiful fists landing on Nathan’s—fine, also beautiful face. “Oh, uh, something unrelated, completely. So you’re going to the Andrew Mothereffing Jackson show tomorrow, right?”

“Tomorrow’s actually a game day,” he says. “I’ll be marching my magnificent beast of a tuba across the field in South Pasadena. But you can come watch if you want.”

I make a face without meaning to, but luckily Milo laughs right away.

“Trust me, no sane person would have taken me up on that offer,” he says. “But it was fun seeing just how horrified that made you.”

“Not because of your tuba,” I say. “I’m sure it’s super-magnificent, like you say. Just—they’re one of my favorite bands. I can’t miss them.”

“And I wouldn’t want you to.” Milo grins at me. “Especially for my tuba.”

*

Ted’s waiting at my locker the next morning. “Hi, Riley.”

He’s wearing a Dinosaur Comics shirt, which honestly makes me a little weak. Cool T-shirts work a number on me like fancy cologne probably does on other girls.

“Hey,” I say.

“I don’t have to intern tonight,” he says. “Or work.”

I wait for what feels like the obvious asking-out that’s going to occur. But it’s just a long pause. Ted! We have kissed! We have kissed on two separate occasions! Why aren’t we at the witty-banter stage yet, Ted?

“So do you want to hang out?” I ask.

“Yes,” Ted says as a smile takes over his face. Maybe Ted’s just as unsure as I am? “Meet me at my locker at the end of the day?”

“I’ll be there with bells on,” I say for some reason, even though I normally steer way clear of old-timey phrases. Ted! Why do you bring out the dorkiest in me?

“You don’t have to go that far,” he says, still smiling, and waves before heading off down the hallway.

Later at lunch, while Lucy and Nathan are having an intense discussion about whether or not the Dunlop Cry Baby guitar pedal is overrated, I turn to Reid.

“So… things ended with Garrick,” I say.

“Really?” he asks. “Why?”

“Garrick’s in love with Sydney again. And also… I kissed Ted.”

“Just now?” Reid looks around like maybe Ted’s under the table.

“Friday night. After our set.” I take a long sip of water to buy me a moment. “And Monday, too. Like, things are happening.”

“Okay,” Reid says. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

“Just because of… stuff with… Jane? I didn’t want to make you feel worse.”

“So, wait, you thought I couldn’t handle hearing about it? That I have to be protected?”

Reid’s volume goes up enough that even the Dunlop Cry Baby can’t keep Lucy and Nathan from looking over.

“No, not protected. I was just trying to be nice,” I say.