Page 33 of Melody

It was so stupid—but he’d read her like a book and she couldn’t deny it. “Yeah.”

“Let me put it this way: I don’t ever want to become like those rich assholes last night, only seeing someone’s worth if they make a certain amount of money or come from the right family. If I ever become that person, shoot me right between the eyes.But if you’re asking if I want a good life…a nice home, kids, and a reason to celebrate the holidays, then yeah. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t.”

She let out a long breath. Were they more alike than she’d ever realized?

He continued. “My therapist is helping me see that I do that—I lie to myself. A lot. And it’s one of those things I’m trying to change.”

“Is it hard?”

“It was at first. Because if you get really good at it, you don’t even know you’re doing it.”

Did she lie to herself about things? It was something she’d have to ponder later. “That makes sense.”

“I’m getting ready to head out the door, Tink. You okay if we keep talking while I drive or do you need to go?”

She wasn’t willing to dig too deeply inside her own psyche at the moment, so the answer was easy. “As long as it won’t distract you, I’m game for talking.”

And they continued their conversation until he had to sign off, heading into work to clock in. But his voice remained in her head the entire evening and, for the first time in a long time, she dug out her journal, ready to record all her swirling thoughts and emotions on paper so she could get them out of her head.

Although they’d been textingand talking every day since their date last Monday night, Kyle was dying to see Scarlett in the flesh again. Finally, their show on Friday night had arrived and, even if it was only for a while, he’d be able to talk with her in the early hours of the morning as the customers trickled out the doors into the cold night.

He’d never said a word to Adrian or Pedro about it, but he’d spent more time than usual getting ready for the show. He’d showered in the late afternoon and splashed on some cologne. Then he used a little product in his hair like Hayley had taught him years ago and picked out his favorite pair of jeans for the show, along with an old red t-shirt and black vest. Unlike in the summer, he didn’t get quite as hot and sweaty on stage.

Before they left, Kyle said to his roommates, “I’m gonna take my car tonight.”

Pedro arched his eyebrows. “Is my bro lookin’ to score tonight?”

Hoping to keep his friends’ noses off the scent, he said, “Always.”

“We’ll live vicariously through you, dude. Since we both got a ball and chain, you know.”

Adrian simply shook his head, ignoring his best friend. “You think they’ll really have a lot of people tonight?”

“It’s not like here in Charlotte,” Pedro said. “Al was saying they’re sometimes even busier now, ‘cause everybody’s stressed about the holidays.”

“Hey. Since Kyle’s taking his own car, maybe we could take Maria and Claire in the backseat.”

“I like the way you think, bro. But Maria’s got the merch stuff in her car. It won’t fit in my trunk with my bass.”

“I could take your bass in my car,” Kyle offered.

“I still don’t know if that shit’ll fit.”

Adrian grinned. “There’s one way to find out.”

While Adrian and Pedro texted their girlfriends to make new arrangements, Kyle checked himself in the bathroom mirror one last time. Satisfied, he grabbed his guitar case and said goodbye to his friends, eager to see the woman who just might becomehisgirlfriend. Although time would tell, all signs pointed to that possibility.

CHAPTER 13

Just as Pedro had mentioned earlier that evening, Tequilaville was no less busy than it ever was. That was great for both bands, because every crowd had the potential to hold people who would become new fans. And Kyle had begun thinking of their shows as a slow way to build their growing audience which meant, eventually, they could make money doing what they loved.

The other band, Impending Cataclysm, was putting together a tour in the spring and had invited Intent to Murder to open for them. It was a hell of an opportunity and each band member was making arrangements to be able to do it. Kyle was especially intrigued by the Denver dates, because if they had any chance of being watched by someone important, it would be there.

But he wasn’t going to get his hopes up.

He stayed away from the bar during Cataclysm’s show, because it seemed like there were more people than usual at the counter. He planned to steal a lot of Scarlett’s attention later, after things died down, so he could wait.

While he waited, he found Hayley and Wolf at the other side of the large room. Hayley had a knowing smile on her face but only said, “What’s up?”

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