Page 60 of Driving Beats

“No way. Those two were meant for each other.” She chews on her bottom lip. “You make a good point, guitar boy.”

“I rest my case.” I chuckle, collecting the paraphernalia and heading back to the kitchen. “Wow, I’m a lawyer and a doctor tonight. Has to be a record or something.”

A pillow hits my ass. I turn around and Nese is pretending to have a halo above her head. “It slipped.”

I touch my sunglasses which I tucked into my shirt when I retrieved the ice pack. “If you weren’t on the injured list, I’d make you pay. However, given your current status, how about I give you this.” Walking over to the coffee table, I hold out the remote control for the television.

“Looks like a night in for me.” She takes the remote. “But you should enjoy the planetarium for both of us.” She manages to say this with a straight face. Her belly laugh soon ruins her nice sentiment.

“I can tell you’re all broken up over it.”

She turns on the TV while I go into the kitchen to get snacks. Because my favorite protein is chorizo, it’s always stocked, so I put some slices on a wooden cutting board together with cheeses and crackers. Looks good enough to eat, if I do say so myself. I carry the tray over to Nese, only to find her passed out.

Not wanting to wake her—especially knowing the pain she’ll soon feel—I return to the kitchen and make a Manhattan, then walk down the hall into the solarium overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Putting my goodies onto the table, I munch on my snack while sipping the perfect drink. This is a great way to spend the evening with my book—while Nese wants to go clubbing. We couldn’t be more opposite if we tried.

I begin reading. A short time later, my cell rings and it’s 007. I look at my new bookmark for a moment, place it between the pages I was reading, and pick up on the second ring. “Hey there. What’s going on?”

He replies, “I’m drinking this fantastic IPA, watching the waves roll in from the Atlantic, and remembering how we all used to talk big at Amazing Amusements.”

I chew on another piece of chorizo. “I think we’ve exceeded even our wildest expectations. An Oscar. We won a damn Oscar.”

“I know. It’s hard to believe. If Darren were here now, can you imagine what he would say?”

If Darren still were with us, there would be no movie about our comeback. Hence no Oscar. I don’t say this. “I’m sure he’s rooting for us from above. Probably telling all the other angels that his boys made it.”

He laughs. “Yeah. That’s about right.”

“How’s the Jersey shore treating you this break?”

“Oh, it’s great. I’m having fun hanging out at the boardwalk and getting a tan. I’ve been checking out the club scene, and it’s pretty hot.”

“You’re having much more fun than I am. Luke sent Nese to help me—to clarify, the word help is in air quotes—build a new wardrobe. What you just told me proves my point, though. No one cares about us bassists and guitarists from UC, as we can go anywhere and not be recognized.”

“Hate to break it to you, bro. I do have people hit me up for autographs and selfies. Women know me, if you get my drift.” I’m able to see his eyebrows wiggling from across the continent. “I’m not mobbed like a certain lead singer is.” He pauses. “Was.”

I don’t comment on his acceptance of Jenna. “Yeah. Okay. Same here.” I take another sip of my Manhattan. “Still, shopping sucks.”

“It’s a necessary evil. I can’t believe your luggage is MIA, though. We fly damn private.”

“I know. Luke has Elias looking into it.” I select a piece of Manchego and put it on a cracker. “Enough about my miserable life, what exciting purchases have you made since we’ve been on break?”

“Nothing much,” he replies. “Picked up a cool video game for the tour, a couple of sweet straps for my bass guitar, and a new boat.”

I shake my head. “There it is. I knew you had to get yourself an expensive toy. Tell me about this boat.”

“It’s fast, man. Like superfast. It’s going to be awesome on the ocean. It sleeps six, has two stories, and is certified for deep sea fishing. I can’t wait to take the band out on it.”

Everyone in the band enjoys fishing from time to time. Except... “Has Tris gone out fishing yet?”

“Nope.” He chuckles. “I’m eagerly anticipating his inauguration.”

“Let’s hope he fares better than Luke.” The one time he joined us, our poor manager hung off the side, puking his guts out. Never went again.

“I’ll make sure Tris takes Dramamine.”

I finish my Manhattan. He’s a good person to talk with about Nese, considering he’s not annoyingly paired off like Bennett and Río. “So, I mentioned Luke sent the band’s stylist to help me replace my wardrobe.”

“Yeah. At least you don’t have to do the shopping.”