Page 59 of Down Beat
“I did actually.”
It’s not as though I want to keep it a secret from Kendall, it’s more that I simply don’t feel like sharing. As PG as the conversation was, it felt special—ours.
“He, um.” She frowns down at the bread as she prepares it. “He said they had some more issues with Rey today. He wouldn’t elaborate, clearly, because how can he trust me, you know? We’ve only just met. But he seemed cut up about it.”
“Oh, that’s not good.” I take another sip, hoping my bullshit act of surprise will fly with her.
Their argument pre-practice must have been a doozy.
“Did you get ahold of John?” She layers the bread and cheese in the pan.
I nod. “Said it might take a couple of weeks for the money to come through, but I think I can manage with credit cards until then.”
“If you need me to spot you a little, you know I will.”
I hand Kendall her glass. “You don’t have that much lying around, hon. I’ll be fine.”
I refrain from giving her the full story a second time. Explaining about the fees only leads on to me having to explain why I’m no longer paying them. And again, I don’t want to share my conversation with Rey just yet.
“Let me know when it’s ready, yeah? I’m just going to see if I can get in touch with anyone to find out exactly what time I can get into the theater.” Liar.
Kendall nods, ass against the edge of the counter. “Sure.”
I take my wine to my room, kicking the door most of the way closed behind me as I enter. Perched on the side of my bed, I sip my drink with one hand, peering out the corner of my eye to see my phone screen in the other.
T: How did your practice go?
In all reality, it’s none of my business. So we shared a moment? What does that make me now? His best buddy?
I stare at the message thread, at the little blue circle with the tick that tells me it’s been delivered. Yet his profile picture doesn’t slide into place. Even after the fifth time I wake the screen.
Must be busy.
“How did you get on?” Kendall edges my bedroom door open with her elbow, plates in hand. “In here, or out there?”
“Out there.” I rise from the mattress, frustrated at both my empty glass and the lack of reply from Rey. “Couldn’t get in touch with anyone.” It’s not a complete lie.
“Don’t stress. I’m sure it’s safe there until Monday.”
“Yeah. More than likely.” I accept the plate she holds out for me as I reach her, trailing behind my best buddy as she leads the way back to the living area.
“What’s next for the great virtuoso?” she asks, her mouth already filled with warm bread and gooey cheese.
I shrug, balancing my plate carefully as I drop onto the sofa, one leg folded beneath me. “I guess I work on some more original pieces and see if I can get more followers.”
“When are you going to start selling on something like Spotify?”
I take a bite of the grilled cheese and groan as the creamy flavor coats my taste buds. I neglected to eat before I headed out this morning, my ravenous stomach reminding me of that as it growls in appreciation at the food I currently funnel it. “Um,” I mumble, finishing my mouthful. “I need to save to pay for a proper recording studio.” I swallow, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand. “I need decent quality if I put it up on a site like that, not just my shitty YouTube tracks.”
“Look into it,” Kendall instructs with a raised eyebrow. “I’m sure there are ways around it. You can’t tell me that there isn’t some workaround for artists who record at home?”
I shrug as I take another bite. “Dunno.”
“Babe. Finish your mouthful before you talk.”
I swallow down the mouthful a little too early, eyes watering as I answer, “You’re one to talk.”
Kendall pulls a face as she dryly asks, “What?” with her mouth jammed full of grilled cheese.