Page 8 of Pretty Little Rocker

When it was over, I twirled my drumsticks in either hand as I walked to the green room, where the others were snacking on sandwiches and sipping water or energy drinks. Not speaking to anyone, I crossed to the couch and sat, waiting for the last performer to finish up and have the ten of us called out onstage.

The judges would eliminate those they hadn’t liked, and then they’d have the remaining auditionees play a few songs with the band to see how they worked together. If there was chemistry between anyone and Autumn’s Slumber, they would move closer to being the band’s new drummer.

Someone sat down beside me, offering me a bottle of water. I took it with a nod of thanks, but I didn’t drink. I could see the seal was already broken. Draven’s screaming “stranger danger” earlier filled my head, making me smile behind my mask.

“You had some sick skills, bro,” the guy said with a laugh. “You gotta make it to the next round with me from what I heard out there.”

Grunting, I scrunched down lower, trying to get comfortable. My mask was itchy, and the black around my eyes was starting to smear down my face from all the sweating. Those stupid contacts I’d put in to make my irises red were irritating the hell out of me. But I kept reminding myself it would be more fun to reveal who I was after I won the audition.

Ignoring the guy beside me still prattling on about his skills and how he’d turned down the chance to be the drummer for some band called LEX, I pulled my cell from my pocket and started texting Abi.

Me: Study group tonight?

She had finals next week, so she would be spending every spare minute studying. Or stalking her history professor. My best friend was a brainiac, even if she didn’t think she was, so she should just stalk Professor Hottie instead of wasting her time studying crap she already knew.

Abi: Heading to the library soon. How is the audition going?

Me: It’s going.

I snapped a picture of myself and sent it to her, showing off my costume.

Abi: Kinda sexy. Kinda creepy. Love it.

Grinning behind my mask, I started to type a reply when the last contestant appeared in the doorway, Nate right behind him. The other guy grabbed a bottle of water and chugged, but he looked a bit green. I hadn’t been paying attention to his audition, so I didn’t know if he’d bombed or not. That would explain the nervous nausea vibes I was reading. Or he was just worried about the next round.

He’d been so confident before I’d taken my turn. But he wouldn’t have been the first person I’d met to have false bravado in front of people, only to piss themselves in private.

Nate’s gaze skimmed over all ten of us before he smirked. “They’re ready for you. Let’s go.”

Without waiting to see if we followed, he walked away. Everyone else started whispering—some anxious, some excited. I got lazily to my feet, adjusting my hoodie and mask. Ugh, I just wanted to take them off. And those damn contacts were itching my eyeballs and making them water.

Grumbling my discomfort to myself, I followed at the back of the pack. The curtain had been drawn back from the stage, and all the judges were sitting in chairs before it, clipboards in hand. Poppy and Pop-Pop had once guest-starred on some talent show and took Evan, Maddie, Banks, and me with them to watch. This audition process was giving those kinds of vibes, which amused the hell out of me.

It was overdramatic, but I liked how seriously the three Autumn’s Slumber guys were taking the entire thing.

Behind us onstage, the sound tech guys were shifting the drum set around and adding another one. Excitement began to bubble in my veins. Were we going to battle? I nearly started bouncing in anticipation. I seriously wanted to blow away every one of the other nine candidates. They might have talent, but they didn’t deserve to fill the drummer slot for Autumn’s Slumber.

“You have all given us a good show.” Dad spoke up, and I focused on him. “Many of you have talent that we want to see more of. But a few of you should get some more practice in before you attempt another audition.”

I tapped my sticks lightly against the outsides of my thighs, waiting. Dad’s gaze zeroed in on the action before his aquamarine eyes lifted to my face. I grinned behind the mask, knowing he at the very least suspected it was me.

Instead of calling me out on it, he glanced back at his list and read off four names. I wasn’t surprised that the first guy who had been performing when I arrived was called, and even less so when the final guy’s name was also among the four. I almost felt sorry for the poor dude.

While the four guys shuffled back toward the green room to gather their things and leave, the judges focused on the six of us who remained.

“Here is how this is going to go,” Dad announced. “Your six are going to face off against one another. Aubree and Kale have already picked the songs, and I’m going to warn you they have complicated solos. Three of you will be eliminated. The final three will face off against…” He paused for dramatic effect, and I nearly rolled my eyes. “Devlin Cutter.”

Biting my lips together to keep from squealing in delight, I forced myself to stand perfectly still. I loved playing against Pop-Pop and Poppy. This was going to be so much fun.

“One of those three will be eliminated, and the remaining two will play two sets with Autumn’s Slumber to test your chemistry together.” Dad glanced over at the three guys in their band gear. “Ultimately, it is their choice. They are the ones you need to impress. Understand?”

I nodded along with the other five guys.

“We’re all set up here,” Nate called out. “First two up are Hellion and Emil.”

Taking the drum set on the left, I glowered when I saw how sloppily it had been set up. Adjusting my throne, I had to make a few more fixes, while Emil only repositioned his bass.

“Both of you showed a good mashup.” Aubree’s voice floated up to us. “So that’s what we’re going to do with the two of you.”

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