Page 6 of Reverb
A creep of a blush appeared on Ray’s cheeks. He opened his mouth, but paused as if considering his words. He did that more often now—a good thing. Nice to see him grow, even if she was miffed at him.
“What do you mean?” His expression was honest and open, though the lines of worry were there, too. Next to him, Zavier looked curious but unfazed.
“Well, you kind of hired David just like that.” She snapped her fingers. “Used to be we did things all together.”
Ray’s brow creased. “We talked about it, in the hospital. You were okay with the idea.”
For some value of okay, sure. But she didn’t say that. “I know. It’s not that.”
“Then...?” A hint of annoyance. Zavier bumped his arm. Ray startled, glanced at him, then back to Mish. “I’m sorry, I don’t think I’m getting what you’re saying.”
That was also nice to watch. Zavier tempered Ray, kept him clearheaded while letting him lead.
“Who interviewed him?” She nodded to David, who didn’t seem upset by the conversation. In fact, he nodded back as if understanding what she was asking.
“Me and Marcella—oh.” Ray let out a breath. “Yeah. It was only the two of us.”
“Used to be the band,” Dom said. “I mean, I don’t mind with this, but Mish’s got a point.”
Ray studied his hands. “Yeah.” He looked up and around the table. “Sorry, guys. Thiswassomething we should’ve done together.”
David stirred. “If you want to go through the interview process again, check out other people, that’s fine. For this to work, I need everyone to be happy with hiring me.” All business. All class.
He was sure pretty to look at, too.
“No, no. You’re fine.” Too damn fine. She turned to Ray. “David’sfine. I trust your judgment, it’s just...”
“I fucked up, ’cause I’m already keeping stuff from you?” There was chagrined Ray, which she hated seeing, but needed to in this case.
“Basically.” She picked up her sub. “I love ya, sweetheart, you know that. But I can’t deal with not being fully invested.”
“I know.” Ray sat back and spoke to David. “You okay with all that?”
David caught her eye, then focused on Ray. “Yup. I like that you guys talk shit out, rather than letting it fester.” He gestured at the table. “It’s a good dynamic. Says a lot. You care about each other.”
They did. Mish loved each member of Twisted Wishes, and Adrian, too. Even Marcella, though she wasn’t around as much as Adrian. Then again, he was more or less engaged to Dom, even if they hadn’t said anything outside the band. Mish tucked into her sandwich. They were herfamily. Her really weird, queer-as-fuck, musical family. She’d only ever had her mom before this—and not very long at all.
Now David was here. Compact, intelligent, handsome David, with his bell-like voice. Seemed pretty damn mature.
“How old are you, anyway?”
She’d asked right as he’d taken a bite of his Italian sub. David rolled his eyes and chewed, taking his time. She chuckled and went back to eating her own food.
When he finished, he took a gulp of water and met her gaze. “I’m forty-three.”
She nearly choked on her sandwich. No fucking way he wasten yearsolder than her. She couldn’t say anything because her mouth was full. Payback.
David’s eyes danced with amusement. “I know. I look younger.”
She finally swallowed, and with a rough voice answered, “Much.”
He made one of those amused sexy grunts guys could do. Damn him. But he slipped into serious with an apologetic shrug. “You shouldn’t be kept out of the loop. I can show you the stuff Adrian’s been getting and explain the situation, if you’d like.”
Fucking at last. “This gonna throw me off practice?”
“Yes,” Ray said. “Mish...don’t. Not now.”
David inspected his food, then met her gaze. “It’ll probably piss you the fuck off, so I’d recommend later. And maybe a beer or something stronger after that.”
