Driftline was the local college band that had blown up in the past year. Made up of four insanely talented guys from your university. Ruby was especially loyal, but not just for the music. Her crush on Tyler, the lead guitarist, had grown from casual interest to full-blown infatuation over the past few months.

After endless convincing, you finally agreed to tell Tyler how Ruby felt.

That evening, as luck would have it, Tyler was eating at the restaurant too—along with a few other guys from the band, including Kayson.

Kayson was Driftline’s lead vocalist. And the heartthrob of the school. With his tall frame, tousled brown hair, athletic build, and a smile that could melt steel, he was the kind of guy who turned heads just by walking into a room. On top of that, he came from a polished, well-off family. Basically, he was everything girls dreamed about.

You took a breath, steadied your nerves, and approached their table. Gently, you tapped Tyler’s shoulder.

“Hey,” you said. “Can we talk outside for a sec?”

Tyler looked surprised. “Uh… what for?”

You hesitated. Saying it was about class was a stretch—you were top of the class, after all, and everyone knew it. But you needed a believable excuse. “Analytics,” you said quickly. “I have a question.”

Tyler stood, clearly confused but willing to help. But just as he moved, Kayson stood up too.

“I’ll come,” he said, flashing that annoyingly perfect smile. “I’m in that class too, remember?”

You wanted to say no. You needed Tyler alone so Ruby could make her move. But Kayson didn’t wait for permission.

You glanced at Ruby and quickly mouthed, Come out when you’re done paying.

Outside, the three of you stepped into the cooler air. Kayson shot you a look.

“Why'd you ask him for help?” he asked, nodding at Tyler. “He’s barely passing the class.”

You sighed, internally scrambling. You needed to get rid of him. “Can I talk to you for a second?” you said, grabbing his wrist and pulling him aside.

Kayson raised a brow but followed without resistance.

“I just don’t get it,” he said once you were a few steps away. “You’re top of the class. You could tutor me, for crying out loud. So why are you asking Tyler for help?”

His voice trailed off, his eyes flicking away for a beat. Something in his tone had shifted.

Before you could respond, he asked again—this time softer. “Do you… like him?”

Your eyes widened. “What? No! Not at all!”

Before you could say anything else, Ruby stepped outside, beaming. You glanced between her and Tyler and made a split-second decision.

You grabbed Kayson’s wrist again. “Let’s go get ice cream.”

His eyes widened slightly, surprised—but then you saw the realization spark behind them. He knew exactly what you were doing.

You turned back to Ruby and Tyler. “We’ll be back,” you said with a smile.

Minutes later, you and Kayson sat on a bench outside a nearby ice cream shop, cones in hand. The air was quieter here, the lights softer.

Kayson took a bite of his cone and glanced over. “You really surprised me earlier,” he said. “Asking Tyler of all people…”

“It’s possible he might know something,” you mumbled.

Kayson chuckled. “I guess. But still—smartest person in the class? Asking one of the worst students? That’s why I thought…”

He paused, then met your eyes. “That’s why I thought you liked him. I thought you were going to confess.”

You nearly choked on your ice cream. “What?! No!” you said quickly, shaking your head. “Not even close.”

His shoulders relaxed a little. A smile tugged at the corners of his lips. “I’m glad.”

You tilted your head, confused. “Why?”

He looked away for a second, then back at you, his voice quieter now. “Because that’s why I followed you two outside.”

Your stomach flipped. “What do you mean?”

There was a pause. Then Kayson smiled—not his usual cocky, stage-ready grin, but something softer. More real.

“I mean… if you were going to confess to him, then I’d lose my chance forever.”

Your heart stopped. “Chance for what?”

He looked you right in the eyes.

“To confess to you,” he said.