Since it was getting dark at this hour, cool wind rushed over my skin, adding another layer of pleasure to the ride. Too soon, he pulled up at Evan’s place, but there were no lights inside and I didn’t hear anything from the garage. Hopping off the bike, I yanked off my helmet.
“I bet he went to pick up Dana and Ji Hoo. They’ll be here any minute.”
“Do I get to meet them?”
“Do you want to?”
“Well, yeah. I’m curious about your new bandmates. I can’t wait to hear you play.”
“I’m nothing special,” I muttered.
“That’s completely false.”
Raising a brow, I said, “Anyone could achieve equal proficiency after the same lessons.”
“Not what I’m talking about, Courtney.”
“Oh.” Since I was thinking about music, I didn’t connect the dots. His sudden sweetness brought heat to my cheeks, and dear God, I never blushed. It was kind of my deal to be out there: unshockable, edgy and outrageous. “Well, I meant instrumentally, though I really do love music. I have a great ear, I think, I just don’t have the talent to back it up.”
“I won’t argue the point until you play me something. Which had better be soon.” He made a mock-threatening face and kissed the top of my head. “But honestly, if you’re on point with that personal assessment, it’s an even better argument to run with your indie label idea. You know music, you love it, but you don’t want to play for a living. So it’d be perfect if you could help make other people’s dreams come true and create something beautiful at the same time.”
My throat tightened. “Yeah. It would.”
Before he could answer, Evan’s van pulled into the driveway. The garage door opened—I assumed by remote—to reveal the rehearsal space, but he didn’t pull in. We needed the space. Evan looked wary when he hopped out and spotted Max, who made me smile by strolling over with his hand extended.
“Sorry, man. We got off on the wrong foot the other night and I owe you a big apology.”
“You thought I was hitting on your girl?” Evan guessed.
Max lifted a shoulder in a vague gesture. “Something like that. But we cleared the air and everything is cool. I hope you don’t think I’m a complete dick.”
“Nah. If you were, you wouldn’t admit to your mistakes. It’s all good.”
At that point, I introduced Dana and Ji Hoo, wanting to make Max feel like I wasn’t trying to keep him out of this part of my life. Dana totally elevatored him, and when I raised my brow at her, she grinned. “Hey, I can window shop.”
“I’m standing right here,” Max pointed out.
“How cute, he thinks he can complain when we objectify him.” Dana slung an arm around my shoulders and led me to the garage. “You can spill all the juicy stuff after he leaves.”
“You mean his weird sexual fetishes? Oh, I’ll talk about that now. Four lemons, a sack of ferrets and a pint of rum. Oh, and he wouldn’t say no to a rubber hose—”
“I...feel like I need to get back in the van,” Ji Hoo said, tipping his head heavenward.
“Me, too,” Max muttered.
Clearing his throat with an amused glint in his eyes, Evan cocked his head at our instruments. “Should we get started?”
“I guess that’s my cue to take off.” Max bent to kiss me. “What time should I pick you up, Princess Leprechaun?”
Dana shot me a horrified look. “Should I even ask?”
“Please don’t.”
“You don’t have to go,” Evan said unexpectedly. “If you don’t mind making like scenery for a couple of hours, I’m fine with you hanging out here.”
“I dunno, I’m pretty fucking hungry,” Max answered.
“Last time we got pizza. Not sure if that’s the usual?” I glanced at the others for confirmation; Dana and Ji Hoo were nodding.
“Then sure, I’ll chill over here if that’s fine with everyone?” Max ambled over to a lawn chair in the far corner and sprawled in it, giving us plenty of space to practice.
“Don’t tell my girlfriend,” the drummer said, heading over to his kit. “These two hours are the only time I get away from her.”
Dana chucked a ball of wadded-up paper at him. “You say that like it’s a bad thing.”
“Eh, I love her but she’s a lot of work.” Ji Hoo got out his sticks, clearly done talking about his relationship issues.
Conscious of Max watching me, I set up my keyboard and plugged everything in. This time I didn’t need any help with the equipment. This was so weird and new, but it felt right to have Max here, making him part of this new chapter in my life. I didn’t want him to feel like I was shutting him out or leaving him behind. For his part, he was respectfully quiet as we kicked things off, launching into the first song on our set list. After a while, I got so into the music that I forgot we had an audience.
So an hour later, when we paused for dinner, he startled me by bounding to his feet and giving a raucous two-finger whistle. “For serious, that was awesome. I’d pay to hear you play.”
“That’s the dream,” Evan said.
“How much?” Dana wanted to know.
“Ten whole dollars.” When Max bit his pinky, Ji Hoo cracked up.
“Okay, I’m calling for pizza. Pick up or delivery?” Setting her bass down carefully, Dana went to rummage through her bag, then produced her phone with a flourish of triumph.
Evan thought for a few seconds. “I’ll just go get it.”
“You’re my hero,” Ji Hoo said.
“Who said I’m buying? Show me the money.” Evan collected crumpled bills until he had enough for two pies. With three guys eating, it was unlikely they could fill up on one while leaving any crumbs for Dana and me.
After checking our preferences, she got one plain cheese and the other loaded with meat. It wasn’t like I was picky. Ten minutes later, Evan took off with Ji Hoo, leaving the three of us chilling in the garage. Dana set up a couple more lawn chairs, making me wonder why she didn’t go in the house. But maybe she felt weird when Evan was gone. Since I’d opted to ride along with him before—for the same reason—I could relate. Presumably, though, she knew him better than me, and certainly longer.
“So how did you guys meet?” she asked, sitting forward with her elbows on her knees like this would be an awesome story.