Page 61 of Debts and Desires
I didn’t drink anymore after that, only savored my food while enjoying conversation with Carter and Tyler. Tyler was great company. He and Carter had a back-and-forth banter that was entertaining to listen to. I learned a little about Carter, but he was more guarded with his past than I was with mine.
One of the times we found ourselves alone again, my upcoming audition had been brought up.
“I don’t know,” I said. “I’m starting to think that maybe it isn’t my time. Maybe I should just skip it.”
“Skip it? Why?” I shrugged at his question.
“The deadline for in-person auditions ends in two weeks. And the deadline for sending in a video instead is at the end of next month. I’m not as prepared for either as I’d like to be.”
“You have a whole month to prepare for the video, though.”
“Yeah, but they want three original songs. I have some, butI…” I let out a sigh. “I don’t think they’re good enough, ya know?”
“That sandcastle one you were workin’ on today was better than good.”
“Yeah, but that’s just one.”
“You have others. What’s the one you did here? ‘Hole in My Soul’ I think?” His words took the wind out of my sails. “That was one was great, too.”
“Wait… You wereherethat night?” I asked. He swallowed hard, then nodded. I sat back some. “You didn’t tell me that.”
“To be fair, I didn’t really get the chance to. And it felt weird to bring it up after the fact.” I thought about it, and he was right. The night he towed my car, I didn’t give him much time to speak, even if he barely said anything. I was still mad, though.
“You still could’ve.” I crossed my arms.
“Aw, c’mon, Em, don’t do that. I’m sorry, okay?” He sighed, looking down at the bar. “I didn’t wanna tell you anyway ‘cause I left early. Felt bad about it.”
“Why’d you leave early?”
“I got a tow call down the road a little ways, one that took way too fuckin’ long. I was on my way back home when I saw your car.”
Fate,my thoughts whispered. I ignored them.
“All that’s beside the point right now. I don’t think you should skip the audition, Em. You got more talent in one toe than most singers have in their whole bodies,” he said matter-of-factly. I smiled, uncrossing my arms and turning to face him a little more. I wanted to know who this was and what he did with the asshole I was used to talking with.
“Flattery won’t get you out of trouble for lying, Mr. Black,” I laughed softly.
“Who says I wanna get out of it, Miss Brighton?” He winked. “Plus, I wasn’t lyin’.”
“Just withholding.” He rolled his eyes.
“Well, whatever. I’m sorry either way. I think you should—” A woman stepped behind the bar in front of us, interrupting.
“Hi, Carter,” she purred as she sat a new beer in front of him, completely ignoring me. “How’ve you been?” Carter took the bottle.
“Emmy, this is Cassie, Tyler’s stepsister,” he said, not bothering to answer her. He handed me the beer Cassie had just given him. She had reddish-brown hair that she wore in a ponytail, and her eyes were bright blue with brown rings around the pupils. She wore a tight black tank top and a pair of jeans that hugged her curves. Her mouth seemed to twitch as she turned to me, as if she was pissed Carter had ignored her. Or maybe it was at me being there?
“This is Emmy,” he said to her.
“Nice to meet you,” I smiled. She flashed a grin before turning her attention back to Carter. She chatted a bit more, and I was feeling a little uncomfortable. I sipped at the beer, listening to them talk and watching Carter watch me from the corner of his eye. He seemed uncomfortable, too, and Cassie was not getting the hint.
“So, how’ve you been? Haven’t seen you here in a few weeks,” she laughed, reaching out and touching his arm that was resting on the countertop.
“Busy,” he said, pulling away.
“I figured. You weren’t too busy the other night,” she cooed. “I take it you made it home alright.” He nodded. “You get that ‘boundaries’ thing you were pissed at worked out?” I stiffened a bit, looking at Carter, who seemed unaffected.
“Yup.”
