Page 48 of Down Beat
“Fair enough, babe.” She takes a step back, and then disappears.
I let out my loaded breath and flick between the images on my phone. Am I that easily won over that all it takes is a few fresh cut flowers? Were there rose-tinted glasses in that bunch that I forgot about putting on?
Ugh.
I select the best image and flick it through to him with a simple message.
Hope you’re satisfied.
He can take from that whatever the hell he wants. I’m done.
I choose to spend a ridiculous amount of time in the shower, simply letting the scorching hot water soothe my soul. I have to collect my stuff from the theater today between nine and midday, so considering I didn’t crawl out of bed until almost ten, I really should get a hustle on.
At least I can be guaranteed a pain-free exit from the place since the band are now somewhere across town. I spare a glance at my phone as I dress and note no new messages. Good. I can’t deny the slight pang of rejection, but at least he must have got the message, literally and figuratively.
“Do you want to come with me to pick my gear up?” I ask Kendall as I gather up my things.
She pops a slice of carrot into the hummus pot she has balanced on her lap. “No. If it’s cool with you, I might hang here for the day.”
“All good.” I sling my black Sourpuss purse over my shoulder and do a mental inventory of the room. Yeah, got everything. “Need anything while I’m out?”
“When are we doing our food shop this week, babe? I’ve got twenty spare until I get paid on Tuesday, so I didn’t know if you wanted to wait until then, or get some stuff now?”
I cross to the fridge and open the door. “Eek.” It looks as though two old ladies live here, given the contents pretty much can be summed up with two words: yoghurt and wine. “We don’t have much, huh?”
“Nope.” Kendall lifts her hummus. “I figured I’d start with the savory and finish with the sweet later.”
“I’ll pick up some basics while I’m out, then.” Nobody ever got sick from eating buttered toast three times a day, did they? “I’ll ring John, too, and see how long I have to wait until I get the cash from last night.”
“Sure thing.” Her focus sticks to the TV as I head for the door. “Enjoy!”
I chuckle. “You better not still be there when I get back.”
“Or what?” Kendall calls across the room.
Or nothing. Guess I’m a little jealous that she can bum around all day while I’m on the constant hustle to get ahead, is all. “Nothing, babe. See you in a bit.”
I give the roses one last glance as I head out the door, and sigh.