“Well,yeah. That’s what we’d have to do, and Jon and I are already working on a PlanB, just in case. But I’ve asked Sebastian and Ty already, and I’m asking younow. If you knowanybodywho needs a gig for the next few months, see ifthey’re interested.”
Ichuckled darkly at my lack of experience prior to joining the band. “Sebor Ty could probably help out a little more with thatthan I could.”
“Hey,I just figured I’d ask,” Dev replied. “Anyway, it’s getting late and Kylie’swaiting for me to help put the kids to bed. Shoot me a text if anything comesup.”
“Okay,”I sighed around a chuckle. “But I wouldn’t hold your breath.”
Wesaid our goodbyes and hung up. That was when I noticed the TV volume had beenturned down to nothing more than whisper. I glanced over my shoulder to findMama and Sarah staring in my direction, suggestive looks of excitement on theirfaces, so I asked what the hell was going on.
“Oh,you know,” Mama insisted, smiling and clasping her hands together in silentprayer.
Ishook my head and turned to face them. “No, I don’t.”
“Yes,you do,” Sarah chimed in.
“No,”I retorted sharply. “I really don’t.”
Mamagroaned. “Oh, comeon, baby!”
“Whatare you twogoin’ on about?” I asked, heading towardthe couch with my arms crossed.
“Molly!”Sarahshouted,her voice nearly shrill as she wavedher arms with exasperation. A bit of wine sloshed onto the old couch and Mamasmacked her. “Oh, don’t worry about that, Con. I know how to get a little redwine out of a sofa.”
“Ofcourse, you do,” Mama muttered, jabbing at her best friend’s penchant forcleaning.
Iignored the spot of wine as I shook my head. “Molly?”
“Yes,duh!” Mama nodded adamantly. “How did you not think of herrightaway? You need an opening act and she’s amazing. She’d beperfect!”
Arush of unexplained panic shot an electric current through my bloodstream.“No,” I shut them down immediately, shaking my head. “Absolutely not.”
Sarah’sface fell with immediate disappointment. “But why not?Y’allhave beengettin’ along so well, and you’d get thechance to spend more time together, and …” Her voice trailed off as the suddendawning of recognition glazed over her eyes. “Ooh,” she drawled, noddingslowly.
Inarrowed my glare suspiciously. “What do you mean,ooh?”
Sarahturned away from me to face my mother. They shared a silent moment of nods andwidened eyes, while I stood by the couch, cluelessly annoyed and impatientlywaiting for someone to tell me what was going on. Finally, when their exchangewas over, Mama looked to me with understanding concern.
“It’sAli, isn’t it?” she asked, and Sarah smacked her in the arm.
“That’snotat allwhat I wasthinkin’! I wasthinkin’ maybehe—"
Mamaslid an annoyed gaze toward her best friend. “Iknow that, Sarah.”
“Then,what the hell are youdoin’,talkin’about—”
“Willyou please knock it off?” Mama hissed, hardening her glare. “Don’t interfere.”
“Youknock it off,” Sarah counteredthrough gritted teeth. “I’m notinterferin’.I’m just—”
“Willyoubothknock it off?” I growled,sufficiently aggravated and even more clueless. “It’s just not a good idea,simple as that. And no, it hasnothin’ to do withAli.”
Ordid it? Ever since dinner, I’d been wondering if Ali was jealous of myrediscovered friendship. So, until Imade a decisionon what to do about my relationship with Ali, did I really want to add to thecontempt I already felt by giving her even more reason to be jealous?
Butas much as I didn’t want to admit it, itwasa good idea. Molly was talented and had amazing stage presence. Her style andsound complemented ours, and she’d be an excellent fit as an opener. It’d giveher more exposure, a chance to open doors and opportunities, and it’d give usthe relief of not having to fill three hours with music instead of two.
Andjust like that, I made the decision that I could handle Ali and whateverjealousy issues she was dealing with. Molly was a friend and nothing more, andI’d find a way to convince Ali of that.
Withmy mind made up, I headed to bed. Before I could lay myself down, I caught aglimpse out the window of the stars. For the first time since I was thirteen, Imade a wish on them and sent it up to the sky. I wished that Devin would bedown for the idea, and that Molly would accept. Because she deserved it, andbecause I felt I owed her this. But mostly because I really liked running withher, and I was hoping to do it again. A lot. At home, and on the road.
