Page 34 of Don't Love the Boy Next Door
“You playin’ me?” Larry looks over his shoulder. “Hey, boys, get over here.”
Soon, every single member of the band is pushing his face in front of the camera to get a good look at me. Which feels really weird and awkward. I just want to talk to my dad…
The census is that I look exactly like my dad and he must be dreaming. Truth is, I wish they would all leave so I could finally talk to my father. I’ve been waiting for this for weeks.
Finally, they’re gone. Dad beams at me again. “You’re looking great, Eric. That California sun has been really good for you.”
I shift in my seat. “We’re in Virginia, Dad,” I remind him.
His eyebrows dip. “Virginia? What the heck are you doing there?”
I blow out a huff. “Ethan’s football?”
He looks lost.
“Ethan was recruited to play ball for Mayburn High, remember? We told you this already.”
“Hmm.” He taps his knuckles against the desk. “Must have slipped my mind.”
I try not to let the disappointment wash over me. I get that he’s busy, I just wish he would pay more attention to what goes on in our lives.
“So what’s the latest?” he asks.
“Things are going pretty well with the band. We got a new lead singer who has an astounding voice. We had a gig at a popular teen club two weeks ago and really knocked it out of the park.”
A large smile takes over his face. “That’s great to hear. I’m proud of you.”
“Thanks. Wish you could have heard us. I think you’d really like our style.”
“I’ve heard you kids play many times. You know I love your style. And I’ve watched those videos you sent me.”
“Yeah, but it’s been a while since you heard us play live. I’m sure we sound different than we did when we were thirteen.”
His eyebrows lift. “Has it really been that many years since I’ve heard you live?”
I nod.
He whistles. “Well, we definitely have to change that. I’ll make time to visit you and your brother soon.”
I nod again, though I’m not holding him to his word. I learned a long time ago that Dad doesn’t keep his promises. I really wish he’d hear us play, though. He was our biggest supporter when we first started the band, but I guess he got busy with other things.
“Where are you now?” I ask.
“A pretty sweet town in Oklahoma. Then we’re off to Texas and heading east.”
“East? Does that mean you’ll be close to Virginia? Maybe you can stop by.”
He holds out his hands. “I don’t know yet, kiddo. Maybe. Schedule is still in the air.”
I want to ask him if he couldmaketime to head to my state, but I also learned a long time ago that my dad doesn’t really listen to my requests, either.
“I joined the school musical,” I tell him.
His eyebrow lifts again. “A musical?”
“My high school’s putting onBeauty and the Beast. You know, the Broadway production? I got the role of Beast.”
At first, I think my dad will laugh at me. He’s a rock musician, and I doubt he spends his free time listening to show tunes. But he smiles and says, “That’s a great idea. Surround yourself with every genre of music and learn. The only way to become a great musician is to study as much music as you can.”
