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"I’ve kept tons of things from my parents, too," Kay said, almost with relief "I used to be so much wilder than I am now These days, my parents don’t trust o anywhere, I have to sneak out" She smiled slyly and bumped Eht, Miss Bad-Girl Bucket List"

E devilish New Eirl bucket list There ht"

"I was hoping you’d say that," Kay said, her green eyes on Ele sizzled up Emily’s backbone

It was Kay’s turn to order, and she asked the bartender for two Captain Morgan and Cokes When he slid the glasses across the bar, she raised hers in the air "To a checkered past, and a brighter future"

Emily snorted "That sounds like a valedictorian speech"

An uncoazed up at the overhead lights After a one "Do you kiss strange girls at parties often? You looked like you had soer--well, two strangers--was a first for e of honesty "I did have a girlfriend last year, though"

Kay looked intrigued "What was that like?"

Ehter She ducked her head "Actually, it’s pretty awesome"

Kay stirred her drink with the little red straw "Guys suck And girls are so much cuter"

"They are," Emily said in a half whisper She stared at Kay, entranced by the smooth, freckly skin on her bare shoulders and neck Kay stared back

Then Kay lifted her glass again "Another toast This ti her glass to Kay’s once rateful sip "So I think sneaking backstage and irl bucket list"

E to do that?"

Kay pointed to a bouncer as uy you’re Rob Martin’s girlfriend and you want to see him for a sec before he perfor in Emily’s hand Emily opened her pal!" Emily whispered

Kay sank into her hip "I’ll back you up C’ a clear path to the bouncer The few sips of rum Eh her body,her shoulders back, Ey black door next to a stack of Marshall a bouncer, who could have been a body double for Vin Diesel, leafed through a lanced over her shoulder, and Kay gave her an encouraging nod

"Excuse uy’s elbow "Do you irlfriend, and I want to see hiazine and squinted at her His eyes scanned Emily’s reddish-blondish hair, her toned swilad she’d snagged a pair of skinny jeans fro-fitting T-shirts her parents hadn’t banned Her fingers curled around the bill Kay had handed her After a moment, she pushed it into the bouncer’s palers up his wrist and squeezed his bicep "Strong," she said in a voice that she couldn’t believe belonged to her "I bet you can bench a ton"

Miraculously, the bouncer smirked, stepped aside, and unlocked the door for theh the door, and Kay followed her The door sla the sound from the crowd The dark hallway smelled like stale beer and sweat

"Oh my God" Emily clapped her hands over her rabbed her shoulders and shook them excitedly "I couldn’t have done that better myself And the bicep-squeeze? Priceless!" Then she clutched Eo crash their party"

Their footsteps rang out on the concrete floor They reached a heavy, sticker-plastered door next to a glowing red EXIT sign "I bet this is it," Kay whispered She pushed on it gently "Hello?"

"Yeah?" called a guy’s voice froed the door open with her foot Four tall, youngish guys blinked at the chairs and lumpy couches One of thee T-shirts and jeans They all held open cans of beer, and they atching Flight of the Conchords on a tiny computer screen propped up on an overturned milk crate There were posters all over the walls for other bands that had played here--John Mayer, Iron & Wine--and a bizarre collection of Benjaurines and a life-sized Ben Franklin cardboard cut-out

"Who are you?" Fitted Suit stared at Kay and Emily

"I’m Kay" Kay sauntered into the rooht you boys could use soed the other band members All of them canvassed Kay appreciatively "I’ out his hand