Page 33 of Lucas

Our regulars are also bummed that the new owners are changing over to a small bakery and deli. I’ve no doubt some of our customers will continue coming here when they realize Theresa is staying. The new management would have been crazy not to offer her a permanent position since she’s the best pastry chef around.

Apparently the rest of us are expendable. Proving what I already knew—you can easily be replaced in a heartbeat. I still have no idea what I’m going to do, but I’ve proved time and time again that I’m resilient. I’ve no doubt I’ll land on my feet. Whatever new career path I choose, it will need to be something that fulfills me. And I seriously need to find a hobby because up until now, my life has revolved around work. And that’s not healthy. With the exception of going out shopping or clubbing with the girls now and again, my life is pretty boring. I’m too young to sit around at home and let my life pass me by.

I’m just about to close up for the night when there’s a knock on the front door. Crap, I know the door’s locked but I still need to walk across the parking lot to get to my car. Do they know I’m alone? Did they see Sal leaving around twenty minutes ago? Shit, I’ve closed a million times before and this has never happened to me. Ever. What do I do?

“Abby, it’s me. Cheryl. I texted but when you didn’t answer I figured you were working.” Dammit, she’s going to give me a freaking heart attack! I click the lock and let Cheryl in.

“You scared the shit out of me,” I say. “I was debating whether to call 911.” It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know something is wrong. “You okay, babe? You look like you lost your best friend.” Sobs suddenly wrack her tiny frame and I instantly wrap her in my arms. Holding her. I soothe her the best I can, but she’s crying so hard she can’t talk. “Shh, I got you.”

Once the dam dries up and she’s able to talk, she stutters, “Mom called to tell me B-b-Betsy d-d-died and I just didn’t w-w-w-want to be alone.” Oh no, Betsy was her chocolate lab that she’s had since she was a little girl.

“Oh, sweetie. I’m so sorry. I was right, you did lose your best friend.” Well, that was the wrong thing to say since the waterworks begin again. “C’mon. You’re coming home with me. We can pick up your car in the morning. I’m going to throw some pillows on the floor so we can have a campout. Pig out on sushi, wine, chocolate, and finish our Netflix series.”

“You’re the best, Abby Cadabby.” Yeah, I don’t say anything since she’s sniffling so loud she wouldn’t hear me anyway.

23

Lucas

Sittingthrough all thirty-six bands is excruciating. Why? Some of them were fucking amazing and now that doubt I’ve been carrying around with me forever is niggling in the back of my mind. I know what you’re thinking. I sound like a broken record and all I talk about is not being good enough. Well, I have news for all of you. There would be no doubt in my mind if my sexual skills were under the microscope. That’s how confident I am about pleasing women. What can I say? I’m gifted. But when it comes to music and writing lyrics, I’m just a drop in the bucket. Millions of musicians can do it better than I can. True, there is some that suck at it, but I’m hoping I’m not one of them.

We hurry onto the stage, knowing we have little time. And to make matters worse, Jet and I are the only ones who are playing with our own instruments. Trevor and Willow are at the mercy of the venue. With that said, I’m confident they will pull it off. After all, they are professionals.

“Next up is,The Sinful Seven. Number thirty-seven. We’re ready when you are.” All the judges sit there with their notebooks open and their pens at the ready. Geared up to pick us apart or build us up, whichever the case may be. I know we’ll give it our best shot. When Arisha smiles and Caleb winks, it’s the reassurance I need to put me at ease. So, on the count of three, we’re belting out our number one song on YouTube.Stop the Rain.

We save the cover song for last, and we did this on purpose. Just because we love the songs we’ve written, the judges might not be familiar with them. Yeah, they could have heard some of them on YouTube, but it’s not the same as up-close and personal. This one will be the one they remember and I think we sound amazing if I say so myself. The music is on point and the vocal range of the song is perfect for my tone. We’re almost finished with the song when Caleb raises his hand. Stopping us from finishing. What the hell!

“Sorry about that, but we really need to keep this moving along. Great job!” Deflated, we thank everyone before leaving the stage. Now that our time is over, we don’t stick around to listen to any other bands. We head out in the same direction we came in.

It’s pitch dark when we walk outside, and somehow that puts everything into perspective. Our future is precariously teetering between the darkness and the light, and for the life of me, I can’t call this one. No idea how it’s going to play out, and I subconsciously reach for my phone. Abby has been blowing it up for a few days, and like an ass, I’ve ignored her. Yeah, dick move, but I have nothing to give her right now. No promises or words of wisdom will escape these lips until we find out tomorrow what our future holds.

“Just send her a text or call her for fuck’s sake.” Trevor shakes his head while giving me a shove. I’d love to hear her voice, but what do I say? “We can’t fuck tonight baby since I’m out of town and waiting for the results.” Nah, no can do. Abby doesn’t even know about the damn audition. No use telling too many people in case it all falls through. Slipping my phone back in my pocket without opening her messages is my only option. It’s for the best.

“We timed those damn songs a million times, and we were spot on!” Trevor says in frustration. He slides into the driver’s seat and just before he slams the door, adds, “Fuck ‘em! They didn’t give us the full ten minutes we deserved.”

Wow, I don’t think I’ve ever witnessed him this pissed off in all the time I’ve known him. He’s still ranting as he buckles up. “Why bother staying in a hotel for the night when we know we didn’t win the fucking thing? Let’s just go home and figure out our next move.”

Jet and I slide into the backseat and we gladly let Willow take the front. She gives us both a dirty look as she climbs in. Everyone’s afraid to speak, since we don’t want to poke the bear. Something needs to be said, however, before Trevor drives off all bent out of shape. When no one steps up to the plate, I take the high road.

“Look, I get you’re frustrated, we all are, but it’s over. Personally, I think we kicked some ass. Now, we go to the hotel as planned, rest up, and tonight we are going to party like we won that fucking record deal. Got it? Good, now let’s get this show on the road.”

I can’t help smiling when the cat calls begin. Speaking all at once, they start in on how they felt about being up on that stage with ten pairs of eyes scrutinizing them. Yeah, I felt it too, but I won’t put in my two cents. In a little over twenty-six hours, it’ll all be over. Just the thought has my stomach tied up in knots. Oh well, there’s no use worrying about it. It’s over and we gave it everything we had. Hey, if this music gig doesn’t work out, I suppose I could always become a private escort. No audition necessary.

A few hours later, we’re ready to party like champions. “It’s suffocating in here,” I say. “Let’s get the hell out and go paint the fucking town red! We just auditioned in front of the best, so let’s celebrate.” I love it when I can be the one to lift them up instead of Jet. Frowns turn into smiles and we get the fuck out.

***

Abby

Last night Cherylreminisced about Betsy until the wee hours of the morning. We browsed hundreds of pics on her phone from the time the pretty lab was six weeks old until the bitter end. I’ve never had pets of my own, so I can only relate to some degree, but I know that Betsy was truly her best friend. Hell, I remember when she had to leave the dog with her parents during college, she was so distraught she’d cry every night. So, yeah, she’s hurting but grateful she had thirteen years with her faithful companion.

Beth felt terrible that she wasn’t available to join our campout, but she had to deal with her mom again. This time around she admitted her for a thirty-day period. It’s for the best, but it just goes to prove that everyone deals with their own demons. Lucas not returning my texts seems so trivial compared to what they’re both dealing with.

Luckily, I was able to sleep in for a bit longer since Maria opened today. Her shift was cut short last week when her son was hurt at school and needed medical attention. Turns out the poor little guy broke his arm and had to have it cast. Benjie didn’t think it was too cool until all of us signed it, then he was proud as a peacock. Strutting around showing it off to everyone.

So after a very trying week, we’re all going to the comedy club because, let’s face it, laughter is the best medicine. And God knows it’s been in short supply lately. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that the comedians are going to be funny, because sometimes they just can’t relate to the crowd. Either way, it will be a twofer for me since I have my date with Joel tomorrow night. Gah, every time I think about it I get butterflies in the pit of my stomach. It’s been too damn long since I’ve had an actual date!

I’m nervous, but excited.

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