Ruined by You (22 page)

August leaned in closer. “That kind of makes you a scout, doesn’t it?” He gave me a wink that came across as encouraging, but heat rushing to my cheeks, all the same.

“Right,” I said. “I guess so.”

“Anyway,” Stacey said, trying to reel us back on track. “We were hoping you had a few minutes to listen to a couple songs? It’ll help you get a flavor for them.”

I nodded, trying to compose myself. “Of course,” I said. “That would be great.”

Scottie had given me the green light to sign them, but if they wanted to play for us first, I wasn’t going to stop them. I’d made a fool of myself already, the very least I could do was be courteous.

“Great,” August said, with a smile. “We’ll get started, then.”

He turned and gathered the band together as they headed back to the stage. Seth muttered about this being a “fucking waste of time”, and August clamped a hand on his shoulder, saying something harsh under his breath.

Stacey ushered us to the far corner of the room, directly opposite the band. Haden joined us, but Kyle didn’t leave the confines of the doorway. He leaned against he wall, pretending to pay attention to something on his finger. I blew a soft sight of relief. As long as he didn’t open his mouth, everything should be fine.

So far, so good
, I told myself.

While the band gathered, I noticed Jared, the agent, stealing glances at Kyle. His face was puzzled, and every once in a while, he glanced back at Haden and I.

“Excuse me,” he said, looking between the two of us, but focusing on Haden. “I’m sorry, we didn’t get introduced. My name is Jared Sinclair.” He put his hand out to Haden, and he gave him a big smile.

Haden nodded, and shook his hand. “Haden,” he said.

“Sorry if I’m being intrusive, but your friend looks so familiar,” he said, nodding at Kyle. “Are you two from around here?”

Haden looked over at Kyle, nervously. Thankfully, Kyle was still detached from everything around him.

Haden shook his head. “We’re actually from out of town. Sorry.”

Jared nodded his head once. “Sorry, then. My mistake.” He turned back to Stacey, as though the exchange hadn’t even taken place. Haden gave me an awkward, sideways smile.

“I don’t know what it is about this place,” he said. “Everyone seems to think that they know us.”

I shrugged, not giving it much thought. “The people around here are much friendlier than in Jersey,” I said.

He nodded. “That must be it.”

When the band was finally ready, August approached the mic and tapped it a couple times.

“OK,” he said. “This first tune is called
Brandy Sweet
.”

I recognized the name of the song from the demo disc. It was the first song we had listened to, and it had quickly become my favorite. The beginning started off with a quick guitar solo from Seth, and then the drums and bass kicked in behind him. August began strumming his acoustic guitar, quickly. I was amazed at how fast his fingers moved.

It was hard not to get wrapped up in the music. By halfway through it, my hips were swaying back and forth, and I was being carried off to a magical place. When it ended, Haden and I both gave them a round of applause.

“That was great,” I said. “You guys sound so good. It’s even better than your demo disc.”

Seth stood on the corner of the stage. He rolled his eyes and muttered something under his breath. August darted a parental look at him, then turned back to me.

“Glad you liked it,” he said. “We’ll play another - do you have any requests?”

I thought about it for a second, and then said, “What was the song you were playing the other day?” I asked. “The one I hijacked.”

August thought about it for a moment, then his face lit up. “That’s a new one,” he said. “We haven’t named it yet.”

I grinned. “I’d like to hear that one, if you’re up to it.”

He nodded, and turned back to the band. The drummer counted them off, and they launched into the song. It sounded instantly familiar, like I had only just heard it. Despite myself, my hips began swaying again, and a smile spread across my face when they arrived at Seth’s guitar solo. Last time, I’d interrupted it, but I wouldn’t make the same mistake twice.

But something else was wrong.

Seth didn’t play for nearly as long as he had before, and there was a look of disgust twisted across his face. His eyes were focused on Kyle, and I realized that Kyle had slumped down against the wall. His knees were folded up close to him, and he was picking at his nails with his teeth, again. Rage boiled in me at the contempt he was showing, and I was grateful Seth didn’t make more of a scene.

When the song ended, I clapped loudly, and August took a small bow.

“You had better timing, that time,” he said, with a wink. I grinned.

August slipped the guitar off of his shoulder and placed it on a stand. He bounced down the stage and walked over to us. Stacey beamed at him, and then turned her attention to me.

“You guys sound great,” I said.

Stacey chimed in. “They always sound great,” she said. “So, do you think they’re what you’re looking for?”

I nodded, quickly, but before I could say anything, we were interrupted.

“I’d like to know what you think,” Seth called, loudly. His tone was harsh--challenging. His eyes stuck to Kyle.

His outburst caught everyone off guard. Everyone, that is, except Kyle. He sat there like a lump, still paying attention to anything but us.

“Hey, are you listening to me?” Seth said. He took a few steps closer. “Am I boring you?” he said. Kyle still didn’t respond. “Hey, you in the corner.”

Kyle, finally, looked up. He had a dumb stare on his face. But, the stare melted into the toothy smile I was so used to. He was never thrown off his game.

“I’m sorry,” he said. “Can you repeat the question?”

Seth snarled. I said, “I want to know what you fucking thought about the fucking song. Or, should I wait until you’re done grooming yourself?”

Kyle put his feet under him and slid up the wall. He glided up to his full height, as though something unseen had lifted him. He was the tallest in the room by far, easily towering over everyone else.

“Well, you’ve already interrupted it, haven’t you?” he said. Seth took another step forward, but August was quick to put his arm in front of him. Haden’s back arched next to me. “And, as for the song…” Kyle continued. His eyes looked upward as he considered it. “I guess it
could
have been worse, but you would have had to try harder.”

“You son of a bitch,” Seth snarled. He launched himself across the room in one motion, but the rest of the band had expected it. They collapsed on him, wrapping him up in their arms. Kyle held his hands up next to his face, his long, bony fingers writhing.

“Hey,
you
asked,” he said.

“
Kyle
,” Haden snapped, walking toward him. “Go wait outside.” Haden said it in a low voice, but the acoustics in the room echoed every word.

“But, why do
I
have to go to time out? I didn’t do anything,” Kyle said, sneering back at Seth. Haden grabbed him by the arm and nearly threw him toward the door. “I’m going, I’m going. No need to get pushy.”

“That’s right, walk away,” Seth yelled after him. “You sack of shit. Wait till I get out of here. You better be outside still.”

Haden stood at the entrance to the hallway, watching as Kyle made his way out. The door banged loudly, signaling his exit.

I looked at Stacey, mortified. Her look mirrored my own, and I realized we were both in it together.

“Sorry, everyone,” Haden said, quietly. “Should have left him in the car.”

The tension in the room was palpable. It hung in the air like a thick fog. I didn’t know how to salvage the situation, so I said the first thing that came to mind.

“We’d love to have you guys out in Green Falls,” I said.

Seth’s anger shifted to me. His face was bright red, and he stared at me hard.

“Un-fucking-believable,” he spat. “No fucking way. No fucking way we’re playing that show.”

“Seth,” August snapped. “Don’t be an ass.”

“No, no, it’s fine,” I managed. “He has every right to be pissed. What Kyle said was uncalled for.”

Stacey gave me a pained look. I cringed and shrugged my shoulders, not sure what to say to her.

“We’d love to play Green Falls,” August said. He looked at me, and then stared hard at Seth. “We’d like to thank you for the opportunity,” he said, never shifting his stare from the guitarist.

Seth’s eyes widened, and he began shaking his head.

“No way,” he said. “I’m not doing it. You guys can go on without me. I’m not fucking doing it.”

“Fine,” August said, his tone growing harsh, too. “We’ll do the show without you. We’ll do
every
show without you if we have to.”

Seth reeled back. His eyes narrowed on August. “I carry this fucking band,” he said. “I carry this sound.” He pointed at his guitar. “You’re nothing without me.”

August was determined. “That may be true,” he said. “But I’m getting sick and tired of your attitude. Your ego is getting in our way, and it has to stop.” Seth looked from him to the other band members, and one by one they all looked away. “We’ve talked about it already,” August continued. “If you’re not going to be a team player, then we have to cut you loose.”

Seth’s mouth opened wide in a disbelieving grin. He looked at everyone, gauging them. “I see what this is,” he said, his voice soft. He pointed at each of the band members, slowly. His feet shuffled backward. “If you wanted me out of the band, why didn’t you just say so? I’m a big boy, I can handle it.”

“We don’t want you out of the band,” August sighed. “But, we have to do what’s best for everyone.”

Seth cut him off with a wave of his hand. “No,” he said, sharply. “That’s it. I’m done. You can all go fuck yourselves.” He turned his back and grabbed his guitar. He threw it into a case and slammed it shut. “I’m done with all of you. Good luck getting a gig without me, you fucks.”

He eyed each and every one of them, slowly, then walked toward the door. “Have fun tanking out in Green Falls,” he said. His eyes locked on mine, and he pointed at me. “I hope they boo you off the fucking stage at this little cunt’s show.”

In the blink of an eye, Haden was on him. His fist slammed into Seth, catching him square in the jaw. Seth flew backward, crashing to the floor. Haden loomed over him, every muscle in his body tensed, tight as steel.

“Apologize,” he said, his voice a soft fury. “Apologize, right now.” Seth moaned and rubbed his jaw--his eyes were wide in shock. He stared up at Haden, dazed. “You
will
apologize,” Haden said, again.

Haden didn’t say anything else, and he didn’t have to.
 

Seth’s eyes found me. They were pleading--terrified.

He mouthed something, but no sound came out.

“Louder,” Haden ordered. “And,
mean
it.”

His mouth moved again, and this time I heard him.

“I’m sorry,” he said. I acknowledged it with a slight nod, and his eyes went back to Haden.

Haden didn’t budge. He stood over him, every muscle still coiled tight.

“Now, get out of here,” he said.

Seth didn’t need to be told twice. He was on his feet and scrambling for door, as fast as his legs would take him. When he had disappeared down the hallway, and the door had signaled his exit, Haden’s body finally loosened. His head slumped, and he stood motionless.

All eyes were on him. No one dared say anything. Not yet.

“I’m sorry about that,” he said, finally. He looked up at me, a curious doubt in his eye. I mouthed, “Thank you,” and I saw the tension in his face disappear.

Everyone looked around at each other, and it was August that finally broke the silence.

“Far as I’m concerned, he got what he deserved,” August said.

A small ripple of nervous laughter, and agreement went through the room. The tension dissipated, quickly.

Now, if only my problems could disappear, just as fast.

A nervous tension loomed over everyone in the room. We all looked at each other, no one wanting to break the silence.

“So
that
happened,” someone said. I looked up and saw a goofy, awkward, grin on the drummer’s face. It was the first time I’d heard him say anything.

Everyone looked at one another, and then laughed, nervously. It was about as good as icebreakers get. I didn’t know what to say, and I didn’t think there was any way of salvaging the situation.

“I’m guessing the show is off,” I said to August.

His eyes dipped down, and he nodded.

“Seth’s an asshole,” he said. “But, he’s right. We can’t do anything without a guitarist.” The rest of the band nodded their agreement.

So it was true. I had managed to blow the biggest opportunity I’d had - twice. If I would have just come by myself, the whole situation could have been averted. Haden had told me that I was capable of handling things on my own, and it turned out that my lack of confidence in myself was what caused everything to fall apart.

Now I was back at square one. No. Worse than square one. Now I didn’t even have a square. I was completely out of options, and was going to have to go back to Scottie with absolutely nothing. I should have just quit like I’d wanted to. Then I couldn’t have made things worse.

Everyone was silent for a while, considering the situation. Then, Haden spoke up.

“What if I found you one?” Haden said. Everyone stared at him, confused. “A guitarist,” he explained. “If I found you a guitarist - could you play the show, then?”

Everyone frowned at him, and August looked the most confused.

“Probably not,” he said. “We don’t have enough time to teach someone all the songs, or to build a rapport. There’s more to it than playing the right notes at the right times.”

Haden shook his head and waved a hand. “But, if you got all of that, could you do the show?”

August’s brow creased together. “Do you know someone?” he asked.

“I might,” Haden said.

I looked up at him, curious. Haden wasn’t from around here. Who could he possibly know that could join the band on such short notice?