Free Two Steps Back by Belle Payton Page A

toward the back table where Luke was sitting, avoiding her gaze for fear of betraying his love. “Be cool, be cool, be cool,” she said under her breath.
    Tommy and Harley and Jackson began to play.
    Alex hadn’t even pulled the chair out when her phone buzzed. A text. From Ava.
    Al, where are you? I need to talk to you right away. It’s important. I’m at the park near our house. Please come?
    What could that mean? Ava was not one to be overly dramatic. It really must be important. Alex texted back:
    Okay. I have my bike with me.
    Be there in ten.
    With an apologetic look, she turned to Luke. “I have to go, sorry. Ava needs me. But I’ll see you here tonight?”
    â€œSounds good,” said Luke, but he barely glanced at her. He was pretending to be engrossed in the music.
    Fine, Alex thought. Better not to make a scene.
    As she turned to go, though, he suddenly stood up and put a hand on her arm, sending electric sparks shooting down to her fingertips. “Hey, Al? Can I ask you something?”
    Now was the moment. He was going to ask her to Homecoming. She stood stock-still, breathing shallow breaths.
    The music stopped.
    â€œHow does that sound?” Tommy yelled to Luke and Alex.
    They both turned.
    â€œGreat!” called Alex, but it came out a little squeaky. She felt as though she and Luke had been caught doing something they shouldn’t.
    â€œHarley needs to move the mike closer,” Luke called, not sounding a bit nervous or guilty. “Her low notes are getting swallowed.”
    Alex turned and stared at him with newfound admiration. He knew about music, too? What didn’t this guy do well?
    Luke seemed to read her thoughts. “I’m just an amateur,” he said modestly. “But they asked me to be their manager because I have a good ear and I’m pretty good at sound mixing and stuff. I helped them put together their EP.”
    â€œThat’s so cool,” she breathed. “So what were you going to ask me?”
    â€œOh! Right. Okay, I know this is weird. Not the sort of thing a guy my age should ask a girl your age. But you’re pretty mature for stuff like this.”
    â€œYes! I am!” Alex blurted out. Then she mentally kicked herself. Don’t keep interrupting him.
    â€œSo what I want to ask is a surprise, and . . . I know this is your big story and all, but when you introduce the band on camera tonight, can you also introduce me? You know, as the band’s manager? And then I’ll ask a quick question. It—it has to do with Homecoming. You can probably guess what I’m going to do. But I promise not to mess up your story.”
    She looked into his summer-sky-blue eyes, soft and dewy and slightly pleading. She couldn’t say no to those eyes, even if she wanted to. Which she didn’t. “Of—of course,” she managed to say. “No problem! I’ll be ready!”
    â€œYou’re the best,” he said, and gave her a quick hug, which left her gasping for air.
    As she bicycled toward Ava and the park near their house, she wanted to scream with joy at the top of her lungs, but barely restrained herself. Luke was going to ask her to Homecoming on camera ! What a story this was turning out to be!

    Ava paced up and down, up and down, scanning the corner for Alex to appear. What was taking her so long? It had been more than fifteen minutes since Alex had texted that she was coming. And Alex was never late.
    Ten more minutes went by, but at last she saw her sister round the corner on her blue bike, her silver helmet gleaming in the afternoon sun.
    Alex rode through the open gate and skidded to a stop near Ava. She hopped off, leaning her bike against the fence. “What’s up?” she asked, panting slightly as she took off her helmet and shook out her long hair. “That was a strange message you sent.”
    â€œWhat took you so long?” asked Ava. “You’re never