Page 69 of Tongue-Tied
And though we’re pretty cringe, it feels so good to let loose with him.
We can hear our friends clapping for us as the song finishes, and we take a bow.
“Oh my God!” Austin’s cheeks are flaming red. “Why did you choose that song?”
“Because you love ballads that tell a story, you jackass.”
“True, but no one can sing like her.” He clutches his throat. “Damn, I need some water. Want some?”
“Sure.”
I follow him toward the bar but get sidetracked when I run into a friend from class who asks me a question about our upcoming group assignment.
I wave goodbye, wish him a good night, and go looking for Austin. When I spot him at the crowded bar, I realize he’s involved in a conversation with the cute guy standing in front of him. I have no idea if they already know each other, but given how he bashfully averts his eyes, I’m guessing not.
I’m not sure whether to retreat or approach, but my curiosity gets the best of me.
“You have amazing hair,” I hear the guy say as I get closer, and I nearly choke on my own saliva.
“Th…you…thank you.” Austin stumbles but quickly recovers, and it occurs to me that he’s getting better at random cute-guy conversations.
“Can I buy you a drink?” the guy asks, and I hold my breath, my stomach performing somersaults.
“Oh, I…” He turns to the bar and lifts two plastic cups. “I just got a water, and I have one here for my friend.”
I nearly step up to save him, but it’s not with good intentions, so I stay back.
“Do you go to FU?” the guy asks.
“Yeah. How about you?”
“I do, but I commute. I’m here tonight with a group of friends.”
“Cool.” Austin’s fingers are shaky as he takes a sip of water, likely for something to do with his hands.
“So, um, would you want to hang out sometime?” the guy asks just as someone bumps into me, and I stumble forward, slamming into Austin’s back.
“Shit, sorry,” I mutter, mortified. Somehow, Austin manages to stay upright with our waters intact. “I’ll take mine now.”
“Oh, my bad,” the guy says. “Are you here with someone?”
“No,” I spit out. “We’re best friends.”
The guy’s shoulders unwind. “Oh, okay, cool.”
Austin stares at me wide-eyed, and I can’t tell if he’s thrilled or freaked.
Shit, did I throw him to the wolves again?
But isn’t this what he’s wanted? To not be invisible to hot guys?
“So, um…I gotta get back to my friends, but you never answered my question about hanging out sometime?”
“Oh, sure. That would be…uh, um, cool.”
The guy smiles. “My name’s Toby. Should we exchange numbers?”
Suddenly, I feel weak and sweaty. I need some space, so I turn and head to the restroom, which is thankfully cooler and empty. I glance at my clammy upper lip, wondering what in the hell is wrong with me.