Page 108 of Full Tilt
“Given the fact that your replacement, Ms. Michaels, is now reportedly on the verge of quitting—or being fired, depending on who you talk to—I wonder if you’ve given any thought to returning?”
I smiled. “Not one second.”
“That’s interesting, Ms. Dawson. No one’s been able to get a comment from you about your own departure from the band. Would you care to now?”
“No, but thanks for the call.”
I hung up and punched Lola’s number. Voicemail.
“Lola, it’s me,” I said. “What the hell is going on? I just got a call from a mag about the band canceling shows? Call me.”
I ended the call and stared at my junky old laptop. I only used it to watch makeup tutorials on YouTube. With a few keystrokes into a Google search bar, I could get answers to my questions, but now I wasn’t entirely sure I wanted to know. My days as the lead guitarist for Rapid Confession seemed far away now. And I liked it that way.
A text came in from Lola:Can’t talk now. RC is hurting w/out you. Jimmy wants to talk. Just FYI.
Shit, the last thing I wanted was my old life coming to intrude on my new one. Aside from occasional phone calls with Lola, I’d left the band in the rearview. Money was tight, and I wasn’t anywhere close to having even one decent song under my belt, but…
I was happy.
I texted back,Tell him to forget it.
No answer. Lola was either busy or getting on a plane, but hopefully she’d pass on my message. I thought about texting Jimmy myself but that was like taking a ball peen hammer to my little glass bubble of happiness.
“No chance,” I muttered. I checked the time. It was nearing lunch. I put together sandwiches and salads and took them over to the hot shop.
Jonah came outside as I got out of the car. “How are you?” I called across the small parking lot.
“Done,” he said.
“Done?” I said, confused.
Tania had come out as well. She threw her arms wide, echoing, “Done.”
“You’refinished?”I said. “The installation? All of it?”
“Done,” Jonah said. “With nine days to spare.”
Tania let out a laugh. “I need to hug someone—besides theboss, here—or I’ll burst.”
“Me,” I cried, breaking into a run. I hugged the hell out of Tania, then turned to fling my arms around Jonah’s neck.
“Holy shit,” he said. “It’s done.”
All at once, I didn’t like that word. All at once, the ground disappeared beneath my feet. Swamped with a thousand emotions, I held Jonah close, pulling him tight against me, strangely afraid to let go. Afraid of something I couldn’t name yet.
Done.
Finished.
I pulled away far enough to search his eyes. “Are you happy with it?”
“I think I’m still in shock. I’ve been at it for so long…” He blew out his cheeks and gave a wobbly smile. “Eme says she’ll send a truck around for the last pieces and all the stuff that will be for sale.”
“I can’t believe it.” I took his face and kissed him. “I’m so proud of you.”
“Thanks,” he said, yet his eyes seemed to mirror the foreign emotion clogging up my heart. His bewildered gaze held onto mine as he slowly shook his head. “It’sdone…”
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