“I’m telling you, we just need a name, and we would be booking gigs out of our ears.”
Sighing, I sat back on my heels and scowled at my friend.“This was only supposed to be about three friends having fun.Can’t that be enough?I already have a job I love.”
Lark snorted a laugh.“I find that hard to believe.”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
“Come on.You hate Noah.Lord knows, you’re a better drummer than him.Doesn’t it just eat you alive to watch him have all the fame and glory that could be yours?”
“I amnota better drummer than Noah Hawker.”I scoffed.“The man is a literal legend.I’m a hack at best.I didn’t even play the drums in my old band.I was vocals and bass guitar.”
“And that’s the reason you guys didn’t go anywhere.That and your ex is an ass.He didn’t see the amazing woman you are.The amazing talent you have.He wouldn’t let you write, wouldn’t let you drum because he wanted you up front as eye candy, and you’re so much more than that.”
“Thank you?”It came out as a question since I couldn’t really tell if it was a compliment.
“Alice!Hurry up!”Harper, the show manager, yelled down the hall.“We need that setup done ASAP.”
“Yup!”I hollered back before muttering to myself, “once I find the hidden snare.Fuck me, where is it?”
“I know exactly what’s going through that head of yours, and you’re wrong,” Lark continued.
“So, I’m not going to be fired for fucking up dress rehearsals?”Hi-Hats.More stands.Even more drumsticks.
I wanted to cry.
“I’m not saying you’re not a gorgeous temptress—you clearly are.I mean, I’ve seen guys walk into walls while checking you out.I’m just saying your talents were wasted in your last band.And Parker Webb is and always has been a sleazy egomaniac.”
I pushed some hair out of my eyes as I looked over the room again.“Yeah, well, that sleazy egomaniac got a record deal a month after I left the band, so what does that tell you?”
“That record execs are stupid?It’s not like Alien Attraction actually went anywhere.They barely had one hit before they fell back into oblivion.It’s been years since they were on the countdown.That won’t happen to us.”
“Kinda hard to fall into oblivion when you’re already there.Why are there guitar picks in drum storage?I’m gonna kill Grady.”
“Once we agree on a name, the jobs will come pouring in.So I was thinking of something Vegas-y.How about Three Palms?Or is that too masturbatory?”
I groaned.“Lark, I don’t have time for this conversation.Besides, I love my job.I’m not looking to make it big.I love what I’m doing right now.”
“Are you serious?”
“What?Of course I am.”
“You just have a funny way of showing it.”
“What does that mean?”
“Oh, come on.How about that whole fight with Noah onstage last week before rehearsal?It’s clear you hate everything about him, especially having to bend and scrape in front of him.”
“Well, do you blame me?You know what happened.You know what he did.”
Lark made a face like she was keeping a secret or something.Or maybe she didn’t agree with me, which was crazy.Right?
“What?”
She shrugged.“I think you should give him a break.You know all the shit he’s been through.”
“Are you serious?”I boggled.“I could’ve been fired.Or arrested.Abroad!I don’t even know how the laws work in Ireland.What he did was bullshit, and you know it.”
Lark’s eyes gleamed as she leaned forward.“You’re just making my point for me.Let’s do this.For real.We’re good.With our talent and the contacts we’ve made with our jobs, we could make it.”
