Page 26 of Fractured Rhythm

“Me either, but he sounds good,” I said. “Any idea if he’s played with anyone?”

Tristan shook his head. “Josh just sent me audio samples.”

“I’d like to hear him play in person,” I said.

“Any others you guys liked?” Tristan asked after playing a few more demos.

“The fourth guy wasn’t bad. We can bring him in. Should I get Josh to book us some studio time to get this done next week?” I asked.

“Perfect. We’ll have them play a few of our songs, and maybe if they’re up to it, we can try one of your new ones. How’s that going? You’re up to three now, right?” Tristan asked.

“Yeah. Halfway through a fourth, but it’s a mess, so I’m not ready to share it yet,” I said.

“Sounds like the muse is back, man,” Jax said. “Thank fucking god for that, right?”

“Yeah. I guess so.” It’d been back since I’d first seen Cassie. I still wasn’t churning anything out rapidly, but I had three solid songs so far, and a tree’s worth of what could only be called emo poetry that was balled up around the second bedroom that was acting as my music room and office. I wasn’t ready to bring the guys in there yet, which is why we were constantly jamming in my living room.

“We’re making progress. Which means we deserve a night out,” Jax said.

“Don’t you go out every night?” Tristan asked.

“What the hell else am I going to do? Have sleepovers with you losers?” Jax had never been a fan of being alone.

“Where are we going?” I asked.

“Hideaway. Great VIP section and the hottest chicks. At least from the few times I’ve been there,” Jax said. “Jason runs it, remember?”

“I’m in.” I’d been there once or twice when we’d been on tour. The place was massive, and the VIP section was private. Mostly, I needed a night out of my apartment. Aside from the few nights at the dive bar, I’d stayed in since I’d arrived in the city.

I wondered what Cassie was doing tonight. Had she had a rough week at work? Did she want a night out? Maybe she was on a date. Fuck. I hoped not. She’d evaded my question about her dating life. I’d almost pressed her before leaving the café, but I was attempting to not piss her off.

“Great. I told Cassie we’d be there around ten,” Jax said.

“What?”

“Cassie’s coming.” Jax’s voice was calm like he hadn’t just dropped a bomb on me.

“Oh great, I haven’t seen Cassie in ages. I need to get better about keeping in touch,” Tristan said.

“Wait? You invited Cassie?”

Jax’s eyes narrowed. “I did. Is that a problem?”

“What? No.” I shook my head. “Just. Ah.”

Get it the fuck together, man.

“It’ll be great to see her again,” I finished.

Tristan gave me a weird look.

“Why you acting squirrely, Wolfie?” Jax asked.

“I’m not,” I grumbled. “And knock it off with the Wolfie shit. Anyway, shouldn’t we get back to working on another song?”

“Sure, man. Sure,” Jax said. The guy was over-the-top crazy, and you could never take him seriously, but I swear sometimes he saw right through me.

We messed around for another two hours before I kicked the guys out, promising to meet up with them at Hideaway later that night. All I could think about was seeing Cassie, and whether or not she would show up without a date.

My nerves kicked up again, and I poured myself a glass of whiskey. One wouldn’t hurt.

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