Free How to Be a Rock Star's Ex-Girlfriend by Kelly Hurley

since by the end of the night, he would be the only one without a date. Braden had hoped that he would ask someone out, but Dylan kept insisting that he would be fine.
    At twenty minutes after nine, the doorbell announced their arrival. By then, Cara and I had been ready for about two hours. It never took us as long to get ready as we thought, but we had put the time to good use, listening to music, drinking, and laughing about the past.
    The guys looked great in their jeans and t-shirts, I’m sure it took them all of five minutes to get ready. I knew that Braden had to work until close that night, meaning that he would have been at the store until nine or a little after. He probably took a three minute shower, hopped into some clean clothes and off he went. Oh, to be a guy and not worry about makeup and hair!
    “Are you girls ready to go? We took a taxi here, so it’s out at the curb waiting for us.” Braden came up and gave me a hug.
    “I think we’re ready. Let us grab our coats and we’ll be on our way.”
    Sophie and Mark walked into Shaken fifteen minutes after we did. They looked like they were enjoying their night out. Sophie was laughing at something Mark had, said and Mark was leaning towards her with his arm around her waist. It was nice to see them that way. Most visits with Mark were slightly uncomfortable, causing awkward silences and Sophie’s over eager attempts to fill them. I sincerely hoped that this easy going mood continued tonight.
    They made their way to the table we had claimed. Tonight the club wasn’t as jammed as it had been a few weeks back, but it was getting busier. By eleven or so, the place would be packed with people dancing and trying to meet the man or women of their dreams.
    “Hey guys! Are we late?” Sophie gave Cara and me big hugs as they moved to their seats. “We had the best dinner. I talked Mark into going to that Italian place you guys went to.” She waved her finger from Braden to me. “It was so nice, quiet and pretty. I’m so glad we went!”
    “I’m glad you had a good time. It is a really nice place.” Sophie was acting like she was about to burst with joy. I was surprised that a simple dinner with Mark could cause that much excitement. I mean, he’s a nice guy, but it was just a meal!
    “Oh, I just can’t wait anymore! I have to tell you guys something!” I looked at Sophie as she spoke, wondering what all the fuss was about. “Look! Mark proposed!”
    Sophie held out her left hand to show off a beautiful round cut diamond ring. “Isn’t it wonderful? I can’t believe it! I can’t stop looking at it!”
    Sophie’s announcement brought us to our feet with shrieks and clapping. We attacked Sophie with hugs and kisses, while the guys patted Mark on the back and shook his hand.
    “This is so crazy! I can’t believe that you’re engaged! Congratulations!” I grabbed Sophie’s hand to get a closer look at her ring. “It’s beautiful! Just what you wanted, right?”
    Like most girls, the three of us had talked about marriage and rings and weddings many times. Cara liked something different
    every time. She had wanted everything from a wide gold ring to a diamond encrusted, platinum wedding band with an emerald cut engagement ring. When she was dating Trevor, the black leather loving mechanic, she even claimed to want a large black onyx on a pewter band. Since I had no plans of getting married any time soon, I tried to stay out of these conversations as best I could. But I did like the princess cut diamonds best. Sophie had always wanted a classic ring with a round solitaire on a thin gold band. I guess she must have told Mark what she liked too. That was the only way to explain that fact that she was now wearing the exact ring she had always dreamed about.
    Our evening out quickly turned into an engagement party for the newly engaged couple. Tim and Sam, Braden’s other band members, showed up, introducing us to their girlfriends, Lindsay and Erika.