Free Let Me In by Michelle Lynn Page A

bigger, but I see the recognition cross his face. He knows exactly who I am.
    Pulling out his wallet, he leaves a few bills on the counter before walking around me and out the door. I don’t turn around to make sure he leaves, but I don’t walk over to the table either. I just stand there staring at the seat he was occupying. The man whose actions changed the course of my life.
    “Grant,” Jessa’s soft voice says. When I look down, I see her hand on my forearm.
    “Sorry.” I shake my head back and forth, trying to come back to reality.
    “Did you know him?” she asks, her voice still tentative.
    “No, I didn’t know him,” I say. It’s the truth. I didn’t know him before it happened, and I really only know one thing about him. He’s a selfish bastard.
    “Come on. I’m sure you’re hungry after playing.” She puts her arm through mine and leads me to the table.
    I don’t miss Brady’s look. I never knew if he heard the rumors around school, but based on the expression on his face, I’m guessing he did.
    “You did an awesome job tonight, man,” Brady says, playfully hitting my shoulder. “I have a proposition for you,” he says.
    “What’s that?” I ask, acting as though I am perusing the menu.
    “Play with us for the rest of the year. We aren’t going to continue The Invisibles after graduation anyway.” Brady leans back in the booth, extending his arm around Sadie and she cuddles up into his side. They are the most annoyingly affectionate couple I know.
    “I don’t know. I have so much on my plate,” I admit.
    “You get Rob’s share. It’s not a ton of money, but it will probably bring in more than what Barbells pays you.” He nudges me a little more.
    “I can’t leave Chuck. He’s invested too much in me,” I say, although, I have to admit it’s tempting.
    “You were really good tonight. Did you enjoy yourself?” Jessa asks me.
    “I did,” I confirm and close the menu in order to give this conversation my undivided attention.
    “It seemed like it,” she says.
    “Yeah, you looked hot up there,” Sadie chimes in, and I give her a doubtful look.
    “Let’s not get carried away, baby,” Brady tells her, pulling her closer.
    “No worries, I only have eyes for one Invisible.” She giggles and kisses his cheek.
    “Technically, I’m not an Invisible,” I add.
    “It’s up to you, Grant. You’re the best I know, and you already know most of the songs. I know that with a couple practices, you’ll be up to speed. Hell, you helped me write some of the parts,” Brady continues, trying to influence me.
    “You should really consider it. I wish I would’ve taken pictures of you up there. It’s the happiest I’ve ever seen you,” Jessa says.
    “You’ve only known me a couple months, Jessa.” I lean back, straightening my arms out and pushing against the back of the booth.
    “She’s right, Grant, and I’ve known you a little longer,” Sadie adds.
    “I’ve known you the longest, and even though we’ve had our differences, I haven’t seen that smile for years,” Brady says. “Come on, man. Just like old times.” He extends his hand out for me to shake on it.
    I contemplate the decision. It’ll be tough to add another activity, but they’re right, I had way too much fun out there not to do it. “Alright, I’m in,” I agree and shake Brady’s hand.
    “We’re going to have so much fun, man, just wait.” Brady’s ecstatic and it rubs off on me.
    Jackie aka “Jacks” comes over to the table and takes our order. Brady orders for both him and Sadie. I order my cheeseburger and fries with a Coke. When it comes around to Jessa, she says, “I’ll have a chocolate sundae with whip cream and extra nuts.” We all bust out laughing.
    “What? I like my desserts. I might steal a couple fries though,” she says and chuckles, looking my way. All I can think is that I’m happy to give her more than my fries.
    We finish our meals and Brady asks me to come by