“Yeah, no problem.”
“Then here.” She brought me another song, probably meant to test my ability.
I’d never played “Radioactive” before but after skimming the notes, I gave it my best shot. Afterward, I carried the sheet music back to the table. “So...did I make the A-list?”
To my surprise, Dana laughed. “Dude, you are the list. We only got four calls total and two of those were no-shows.”
Ji Hoo nodded. “Competition is fierce. You won’t get rich playing with us.”
“Which brings me to my next point,” Evan interjected. “Whatever we get for a gig, we split four ways. So far, we’ve played a few shows in Ann Arbor, some frat parties here in town.”
“But then Stella dropped out,” Dana said. “And we really need someone in her place.”
That was pretty candid, but... “Do you need for me to take a walk, so you can talk amongst yourselves?”
They exchanged a look, then Evan said, “Nope. Show of hands, all in favor of Courtney joining up?”
All three arms went up.
Dana beamed. “We rehearse Wednesday and Saturday nights in Evan’s garage. He lives in an actual house.” Her mock awe made me laugh.
“It’s not like it’s mine,” he muttered. “I’m just house-sitting while my uncle’s in the UK.”
“Still, it beats the dorm,” Ji Hoo pointed out.
Nodding, I said, “Agreed. I moved off campus this year, and it’s awesome.”
I have a good feeling about this, Eli said.
Me, too.
“Okay, so we’re rehearsing tomorrow night?” It seemed like a good idea to confirm.
Evan held out a hand. He was smiling now, and the shift softened his demeanor from thuggish to slightly ferocious. I noticed he had nice eyes, somewhere between green and hazel, and his brows would do credit to an angry Cossack. With a minor jolt, I realized he was still offering his palm.
“High five? You want me to cross your palm with silver? Tell your fortune? Blink once if I get close.”
He laughed. “I need your phone, funny girl.”
“Right.”
Evan took it and input his contact information, then I texted him. He passed along my info and it was weird but cool to have Dana and Ji Hoo checking their phones at the same time—because of me. I’d never been fantastic at making new friends. Of the two of us, Eli had been the extrovert, always collecting people. At any point, I could’ve left since our business was concluded, but I finished my beer while they talked about places we might be able to play.
Before I put my phone away, I saw I had a text from Max. With a frisson of determination, I put it away unread. I can’t be passive anymore. I can’t build my whole life around one person. I have to live. The realization stung, but it felt...true.
Dana stood up. “I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m starving.”
“Burgers?” Ji Hoo suggested a place five blocks away.
“Sounds good.” I hadn’t eaten lunch in my haste to meet that asshole, Jared.
“I’ll walk with you and leave my car here,” Evan said. “Do you have a ride home?”
Dana smacked him on the arm. “It’s too soon to lure her into your car, bro.”
A chuckle escaped me. “Should I be worried?”
“Nah, he’s harmless. But if you do need a ride, I’ll come along. Evan will bring me back to campus afterward.”
“Oh, will I?” Evan quirked a brow.
She patted him like a spaniel. “Don’t argue. You know I’m the brains of this outfit.”
“And I’m the stomach.” Ji Hoo was already headed out. “Are you coming or what?”
The three of us hurried after him. Dana fell into step with Evan, so I quickened my pace to catch up with Ji Hoo.
He glanced over at me with a half smile. “I’m seriously relieved that you showed up. Another week and I’d be forced to start an a cappella group.”
“And that’s to be avoided?”
“Nobody wants me to sing without music, trust me. But I’m a kick-ass drummer. You’ll agree after jamming with us tomorrow night.”
“I can’t wait.”
Dinner at the burger dive turned into a two-and-a-half-hour planning session. The amazing thing was they treated like me like a founding member, listening to my suggestions, even making notes occasionally. So it was past ten when we finished up and walked back to the bar. Evan suggested we go in to talk a little more and it wasn’t like I had anything better to do. I drank a couple more beers, as did Ji Hoo and Dana, though Evan stuck to iced tea. By midnight, I felt ready for my first rehearsal, both excited and slightly buzzed. A rosy glow permeated everything as I followed the other three out to the car.
“If you’re cool with it, I’ll ride along, too,” Ji Hoo said.
“I don’t mind. We’ve been hanging out for six hours now and my gut says you’re good people.” With a faint twinge, I recalled Max saying more or less the same thing.
I’m putting some space between us. It’s for the best.
You sure about that? Eli asked.
Shut up, you. What’s your verdict about the band?
They might suck as musicians, but they’re decent people.
Weird as it sounded, relief flooded through me to hear Eli agree with my assessment. One of these days, I needed to stop listening to this voice in my head. I understood that it wasn’t actually him, but I couldn’t bring myself to silence his echo. Not yet.
Then when, C? It’s been five years.
I’ll let you know.
In my distraction, I stumbled into Evan’s back as he was unlocking the van. He was astonishingly solid, didn’t stumble even when I bounced off him face-first. With a smirk, he opened the back door for me.
“There you go.”
“Thanks. I appreciate the ride, too. I’d have to call one of my roommates out to get me. The buses stopped running an hour ago.”
“Hey, anything for our new keyboardist,” Dana said as Evan started the vehicle.
Ten minutes later, they dropped me off at the apartment, no trouble. My last vestige of doubt melted away. Definitely the best idea I’ve had in a while. Smiling, I strolled toward the building, the same warmth I used to get from different-colored pills trickling through me, only without the accompanying numbness. Pausing on the front steps, I watched the taillights recede.
Ji Hoo shouted, “See you tomorrow!” out the window as they pulled away.