Page 16 of Tangled Weeds

“Well, he had an accident and broke his arm. His nephew is filling in for him until he’s healed, but it was a fairly bad break so he may be out for a couple of months.”

“Whoa, that’s not good. Is he going to be okay?” I asked. I didn’t want to see anyone taken out of their career over an accident.

“So far they think he will, but it’ll depend how it heals, and like I said, since it was such a bad break it’s going to be a while. The new guy will be playing with them at their Vegas shows.”

“Shows?” I knew they were playing but I thought it was one gig.

“They’re playing four times while they’re here, each at a different club. Then they’ll be going to Rocktoberfest.”

“Too bad we didn’t get those other gigs too,” I said, and wondered why we hadn’t.

“I would have taken them if they offered but they didn’t. One of the places already had their lineup set, and the other two places they’re the only band playing. Sometimes that’s how it is,” Tanner said.

“Maybe I’ll go check them out at their other gigs. I want them to know who we are,” I said and wondered if it really would make a difference. They had a manager too and as far as I knew that’s who made all their decisions.

“It can’t hurt. Plus, it’ll give you a better idea of what to expect from them when they’re on stage. Have you seen them live before?”

“Not since they added their new guitar player, and their singer stopped hooking up at every show.” I knew their reputation, and not all of it was good, but the past few years they’d managed to change all that and were where I hoped to be soon. “I’m just pulling up to the jam room, how long until you’re here?”

“I’m just behind you. I told the drummer to meet us there in about thirty minutes. I was hoping she could meet with the two of us before everyone else arrived.”

“She?” I asked for clarity.

“Yes, and don’t worry. We’re lucky she was even available. She’s very in demand as a studio musician. You’ll see why when you hear her play.”

“I trust your judgement. You haven’t let us down so far, and it’s been a relief to not have to worry if Ray or Josh would show up.”

“Sorry I let it go as long as I did, but I was hoping they turned it around. That obviously didn’t happen.”

“They never were fully committed to the band, it was all about the party,” I said for what had to be the hundredth time.

“Yep, but from now on that all changes,” he said just as I pulled into the parking lot. Just as I was getting out of my car another pulled into the space next to mine. A woman turned to me and waved in excitement while she bounced in her seat. I couldn’t help but wave back and smile at how hyper she was. She was out of the car and standing next to my door before I had time to even open it.

“Hi, you must be Johnny,” she said and made a little clapping motion while bouncing on her toes. “I’m Jayne Doering.” She was dressed more like she should be going to a K-pop concertthan playing in a rock band, but her excitement was contagious, and I realized I couldn’t wait to hear her play.

“I was just talking to Tanner, he should be here momentarily,” I said. “How long have you been playing the drums?”

“Since I was two, my father is a concert violinist and my mother a concert pianist. They were pissed when I didn’t want to go that way too but they’re over it now.” She rambled so fast I had to stop and concentrate to catch every word. She was small with black hair tied up in two ponytails on top of her head that stuck straight up and perfect makeup that was just enough to emphasize her delicate features, but not so much to look like she’d really tried.

“Wow, that is a big difference in musical style. Are you sure you’re ready to play in a rock band?” Her expression instantly went from carefree and happy to deadly serious.

“Look, I play drums for every type of music you could ever imagine. I especially like rock, but if you have an issue with me, I’m more than happy to find another gig,” she said and crossed her arms while staring me down.

“No, that’s not what I meant at all, I just mean we’re a mess. The guitar players were fired for going to practice drunk and we’ve all switched instruments to accommodate.” I rambled but didn’t seem to be able to stop. “We’re a mess.”

She narrowed her eyes, and I swear she tried to use some brain trick to know if I was serious or not. “I’ll play, but no bullshit. I’mnot here to prove anything, I’m just here to help you out,” she said just as Tanner pulled into the parking lot.

“Thank you,” I sputtered out, and made a mental note to keep my fucking mouth shut.

“I see you two met, are you ready to see how everyone vibes?” Tanner asked, oblivious to the tension that still radiated between us.

I looked at Jayne and when she finally nodded, I relaxed. “Yes, more than ready,” I finally said, and hoped we’d at least make it through the gig on Saturday before something else happened.

Fifteen

Devon

We all met at the practice room at six in the morning on Thursday. Easy looked like he’d tear anyone’s lips off that even looked like they’d speak to him. Liam looked excited, and Rory was all business. An older man, that was balding with a thick goatee, walked over to where the bus was being loaded with their equipment.

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