“You’re ridiculous.And since when did you go to Juilliard?I didn’t know that.”
I straightened and turned back to Noah’s drumkit.I couldn’t leave his equipment out unattended, and the sooner I tore it down, the sooner Lark and I could find Bailey, and we could have our own rehearsal.Not that we were rehearsing for anything in particular.“It was a lifetime ago.And I didn’t actually go.I just got admitted.”
“To Juilliard?Seriously?That’s amazing.”The awe was clear in Lark’s voice.“It’s a big deal to even get in.Why didn’t you go?”
I shook my head.“I don’t want to talk about.Hell, I don’t even like thinking about that time in my life.Just drop it.Please?I’m sorry I even mentioned it.”
“Fine.”Lark huffed.“But I’m not forgetting.I’m going to crack that impenetrable shell one of these days.You’ll see.Everyone loves cuddling up to Lark and spilling all their long-held secrets.”
I turned to show her my unimpressed expression.“I don’t know what’s more disturbing—you referring to yourself in the third person or that deranged smile.You look like you want to literally crack my head open.”
She wrinkled her nose at me and couldn’t have looked cuter if she tried.“You’re so full of shit.”
“Okay, fine.”I turned back to the drumkit.“I don’t hate the third person thing.”
Lark shoved my shoulder again before she enveloped me in a hug.A minute later, she stomped away, shouting over her shoulder, “Practice at three.Don’t be late!”
The arena echoed with the sound of her heels clicking on the stage as she walked away, and then the rare sound of pure, sweet silence thrummed in the huge space.
I sat back for a second and tipped my face up to the rafters, closed my eyes, and absorbed the sensation for a moment.As much as I loved listening to the guys,thiswas my favorite time of day—when it was just me and the drums.I could close my eyes, soak in the moment, and just be.
It was impossible not to be hit by the amazingness of being in this vast arena all by myself and dream for a moment.
Once, another lifetime ago, it was supposed to be me on this stage, holding a guitar and playing my heart out.Hearing the crowd sing my words back at me.Getting high on adrenaline and their adulation.I felt a twinge in my heart at the thought.
So many could’ve beens…
“You know that kit’s not going to put itself away,” Noah drawled from somewhere behind me.
I jumped but didn’t reply.Maybe if I turtled, he’d just go away all on his own.
“I know you heard me, since there’s literally no other sound but my own voice.What the fuck?Now you’re ignoring me too?”
My shoulders drooped as I slumped forward.After a second, I opened my eyes and glared at the asshole who was currently standing in front of me.“Did you need something?”
“Yeah.Some common decency and respect would be nice to start with.”
I raised my eyebrows back at him, unimpressed.“I’m sorry if I offended you.What can I do to make your life easier?”
My words might’ve been cloyingly sweet, but my eyes said ‘asshole, I don’t have time for your bullshit.’After over a year of taking Noah’s verbal abuse, I was mostly hardened to his whole wronged victim act.
We both knew what was up.
“Seriously?You do remember that you fucking work for me, right?I pay your goddamn salary, so how about you put some fucking respect behind your words?”
Having him lord over me about money had me seeing red.Such a bullshit, small-balled response.No way was I going to be on my knees in front of this asshole.I stood and faced him.“Black Hat Productions pays my salary.Which makes Harper Grey my boss.Not.You.”
“Fuck.”The word was bit out and he ran a hand through his hair in agitation while I stood there with my hands clenched into fists.I didn’t think he’d swing on me—Noah was more laid back since he’d gotten sober, well with everyone except me—but I couldn’t be too sure.I’d been caught out by assholes before, so I never turned my back on anyone anymore.“You’re so fucking frustrating.Just do your goddamned job!”
I cocked my head.“I was trying to, but someone came in and had to make it all about him.Again.”
“I came in here, and you were literally sitting on your ass, doing nothing.”
“Again, you’re not my boss, but if you have a complaint about how I’m actually doing my job, feel free to take it up with Harper.Pretty sure she has office hours right now.So…” I made a shooing motion with my hands.
“Yeah, no.Pretty sure narc-ing is your deal.”
“Seriously?”I laughed incredulously.“What was I supposed to do?I found a huge cache of drugs.I sure as hell wasn’t taking the fall for that—not with Harper and definitely not with Customs.You’re such an asshole.”
