“It was a grudge I needed to let go. He came and warned us ahead of time. He has always had my back, I’ve just been a jackass these past few years,” he informs me.

“Well, go finish your show so you can be my bodyguard,” I say, kissing his chin.

“Stay close to Grant and if you need me just give me a signal, okay?” The worried look on his face makes me uneasy.

“It will be fine, just go,” I tell him, giving him a nudge toward the stage.

“Hold up, one good luck kiss.” He brings my face to his before thrusting his tongue possessively into my mouth, making my whole body heat up. “Love you.”

“Love you,” I whisper to him before he jumps on stage.

Grant is at my side as soon as Brady pulls the microphone off the stand. Jessa stands on the other side of me.

“Okay, everyone ready?” Brady’s voice fills the room and it quiets down a bit. “We are going to start this off fast and aggressive, any problems with that?” he questions and everyone screams. Does he know what a great stage presence he has? “Alright then…I’m going to get a little sappy first. When I first saw my girl, this song came into my head and I haven’t been able to shake it. Sorry, babe, I haven’t told you this but here it goes…I want to see a lot of jumping and singing along, got that?”

Trey starts beating the sticks together and I know the song from the drum beat. When the guitar and bass fill in, I’m astonished by the song choice. Brady’s voice comes over the microphone and he finds me in the audience, giving me a wink before he starts singing, “I Want You to Want Me” by Cheap Trick. I’m oddly flattered and surprised that, out of all of the songs in the world, this song came into his head when he first saw me.

The crowd goes crazy. Drunk people thrash their bodies around, enjoying the band. Grant holds me by my arm to keep me steady and I grab Jessa in response. Everyone sings along including Jessa, who I jokingly question her with my eyes but she playfully slaps my shoulder. Brady’s eyes find mine periodically throughout and I blow him a kiss up to the stage. I glance at Grant. He doesn’t seem to be having fun at all so I take his hand and then put his other hand in Jessa’s, making us all dance together. His eyes divert to Jessa, appearing embarrassed. It only lasts a second before they are both dancing around. The three of us are in our own world, and even Grant sings along to the songs as The Invisibles continue playing their own after the Cheap Trick tribute. As the night goes on, I suddenly start to feel like the third wheel between Jessa and Grant. Brady smirks over at me with raised eyebrows, obviously noticing it too. My eyes find Rob, who seems more interested in flirting with some girls standing in front of the stage. I watch him for a while and he never even glances Jessa’s way. I start to think my first instinct about Rob was accurate.

“Okay everyone, we are going to take a break,” Brady announces. “Continue partying and drinking. The more you drink, the better we sound,” he jokes. I wonder if it bothers him being around alcohol like this because of his dad.

“Hey baby, are you enjoying yourself?” He wraps his hands around my waist, pulling me into his sweaty body.

“I am,” I confirm, kissing him.

“You want anything?” he asks, taking a gulp of his water bottle.

“No, I’m good now,” I answer. Jessa and Grant have moved over to the side of the stage and are talking to each other. Dex and Trey sit on the stage with their feet dangling while swarms of girls circle around them. I don’t see Rob anywhere, but Jessa doesn’t appear to be looking very hard for him.

“What’s up with that?” Brady motions his head in Jessa and Grant’s direction.

“I don’t know,” I respond and smile curiously up to him. “I have to admit, I felt like I was imposing after a while.”

“I noticed,” he agrees while his eyes search the crowd.

We stand together, him holding me from behind, slowly kissing my shoulder and neck like always. He is whispering things he will be doing to me later while my body heats in anticipation. “Sadie Miller, is that you?” a voice calls over and when my eyes meet his, my stomach drops. Before the guy can even approach, Brady is on one side of me and Grant is on the other.

“Hi, Jeff,” I say. It’s Jeff Soren, the last guy I slept with at Drayton.

“I thought I heard you transferred here,” he remarks, glancing first at Brady and then at Grant. He leans in as though he wants to give me a hug, but Brady steps up to him.

“Jeff, this is my boyfriend, Brady.” I signal my finger at him. “And this is my friend, Grant.” I signal to him and he steps up next to Brady. I’m practically hidden behind their two large bodies.

“Uh…hey guys,” Jeff says nervously, waving his hand at them.

“Hi,” Brady says, straight-faced.

“Hi Jeff, this is my fraternity house,” Grant informs him.

“Sorry,” I say and step through the two of them. “Grant told me there were some people here from Drayton. I’m surprised it’s you.” I let Brady and Grant stand beside me.

“Yeah, it’s just me and Jacobs.” He stands there, appearing uneasy while my two pseudo-bodyguards keep watch.

“Oh… Miles is here too?” I question, not really knowing what else to say. This situation is entirely too uncomfortable for all of us.

“I should probably go find him. We miss you at Drayton, Sadie. The girls said they never hear from you. Do you like it here?” he asks sheepishly. Even though he slept with me when I was drunk out of my mind and right after a crying fit over Theo, Jeff Soren has always been a nice guy.

I look at Brady and a smile lifts my lips automatically, “I do, thank you, Jeff.” He smiles in return.

“I’m glad, Sadie.” He stands there for a minute and I step forward, hugging him before Brady can say anything. “You look really happy. You deserve it,” he whispers in my ear before I step back and Brady puts his arm around my waist possessively.

“Bye, Jeff.” I give him a small wave, watching him as he’s swallowed up by the crowd.

When we turn around, Brady gives me a brief kiss and a wink, noticeably calmer than earlier. Dex and Trey are up on stage getting their instruments ready, while Rob and Jessa are making out in the corner. I look at Grant out of the corner of my eye and notice his tense stance watching them, but when I put my hand on his arm, he smiles my way, trying to appear unfazed.

The Invisibles start to play again, and the guys and girls pick up where they left off. After the show, the guys pack up the equipment and then go enjoy the party. Grant leaves us, giving one last look in Jessa’s direction. She seems to be enthralled in Rob’s world again. Once Grant turns around, I see Jessa open her eyes, peering over to Grant while Rob’s tongue invades her mouth. I knew she felt something with Grant but wonder if she will admit it to herself. Brady tells him to hold up for a second and the two of them shake hands as Brady says something to him. I can’t explain their friendship, but I’m glad it is starting to head in the right direction.

Brady tells the band we are leaving and we make our way out the door. His arm is around my waist as he leads me down the sidewalk and that’s when I hear my name again.

“Sadie…Sadie Miller?” A drunk voice questions and we turn around. “Man, are you a welcome sight. These girls are all a bunch of teases.” He walks toward us and Brady steps in front of me.

“Whoa, Miles, let’s go.” Jeff runs down the sidewalk, trying to stop him but Miles continues my way.

“Listen to Jeff, Miles. Go back inside.” I put my hand on Brady’s arm to back up a little and he surprises me by doing it.

“Come on Sadie, just like old times,” he continues to slur his words and Brady is tensing next to me. I feel it coming.

“Jacobs, stop talking. I’m really sorry,” Jeff apologizes while looking at Brady, who I’m sure at this point is ready to pounce on Miles.