The Queen of Bright and Shiny Things by Ann Aguirre

Author:Ann Aguirre
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
ISBN: 9781250078100
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Published: 2015-04-07T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

There are twenty-five people in the coffee shop; it’s not exactly a huge audience, but from the sound of their clapping, you’d think there were a hundred people in here. This startles Shane into breaking the kiss. I swear he forgot there were other people around us, and my heart soars. He was singing just for me. A few of them even push to their feet. At first I think it’s a standing ovation, but instead they’re moving forward with bills crumpled in their hands.

“Not that this isn’t romantic … but where’s your tip jar?” a woman asks.

Shane pulls back, sheepish. He glances around with a blank look, and I quickly grab an oversize coffee mug from the shelf, then pass it around. If I know this boy at all, he’s frozen. Before, he was caught up in the moment, but deep down, he’s pretty shy. He needs the money, so I’ll help him collect it. I don’t mind; it’s always easier to be strong for someone else.

“You’re really good,” the barista tells him. “If you want, I’ll talk to Barbara about giving you a permanent spot in the showcase.”

“Not mine, I hope,” Jace mumbles.

But the complaint has no teeth. The guy hasn’t even asked for his guitar back.

Shane hands the instrument over. “Thanks, man.”

“No prob. You’re really good, dude.” Jace gives the compliment easily, which makes me like him. “We should get together and play sometime. What’s your number?”

“Just leave a message for me here, okay?”

Shane doesn’t have a phone, cell or otherwise. I know that about him, but Jace doesn’t, and seems to think Shane’s blowing him off. “Right. Whatever.”

“I have to get home,” I cut in.

“Right. Catch you later.” Shane waves at the crowd in general and they give him another round of applause.

Quickly, I clean all the bills out of the mug we borrowed, set it on the shelf, and then lead the way out of the Coffee Shop. I hand him the money as we reach the sidewalk. He counts his haul carefully, smoothing out the crumpled ones and fives. Then he stares at me, astonished. “There’s eighty-seven bucks here.”

“Put it away,” I advise.

He gets out his wallet like he’s dreaming. Though I’m not trying to be nosy, I can see there’s nothing in it.

“If you don’t mind, I’d like to stop by the P&K before I head home. That’s the opposite direction from your house.”

I can see he’s torn. He needs groceries, but he wants to walk me home, too. There’s no easy way to do both.

“Go shopping,” I tell him. “But be careful. It’ll be really late before you—” Then it occurs to me. I know someone who has a car. “Hang on.” Shane’s frowning as I dial. “Conrad? What’re you doing?”

“Watching TV with my mom,” Conrad says.

“Listen, can you give Shane a ride home? It would help a lot.”

He’s so chill that he doesn’t ask questions, and he won’t wonder about where Shane lives. A lot of people live in trailers because they own land, but they can’t afford to build just yet.

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