“It was my first attempt, in fairness. If it helps, I didn’t bake them.”
Tex took a bite and then made a humming noise. “These have to be Lucy’s. She’s the best baker of cupcakes, but don’t tell Buster I said that.”
“Your secret’s safe with me. You musical, Ethan?”
“Annabelle said my voice reminds her of the scrape of school chairs being pushed under a desk.”
“That annoying?” Ryan winced. “I remember that sound.”
“So, what’s next for you and Talon?”
“We worked so hard for so long to get to where we are,” Ryan said, not entirely sure where those words were heading or why they’d come out of his mouth.
“But?”
“I can’t speak for the rest of the band, but I don’t think anyone can live that life forever. It’s awesome, don’t get me wrong, but sometimes you just want to step off for a while. It’s a weird thing, realizing all your dreams after so long.”
“All of them?”
“The professional ones, at least.”
Ryan sipped his coffee, and Syd, clearly done with his treat, jumped up on his knee.
“He likes you.”
“How can you tell?”
“He’s never done that to anyone that I know of. Clearly he likes that whole quiet, broody thing you have going on.”
Ryan stroked the bird on the head. Syd’s head tilted slightly, and he made a sound.
“Is that bird purring?”
“He’s a bird, Ethan. Not sure they can do that.”
“How do you get on in that industry of yours, being quiet and broody?”
He wasn’t offended. It was the truth; Ryan had always been the quiet type. He would question broody, however.
“I’m not the front man, which helps. I’ve learned to play the game.”
“Must be hard when it’s not in your nature.”
“And then some.”
“There are some in the music industry that go on for years. Maybe you’ll be one of them,” Ethan said.
“For sure, and I love it. But I think there has to be a balance. Plus, I don’t know if I can handle all that exposure and peopling for my entire life.”
“Yeah, peopling can be hell. You must get lots of downtime, though?”
Ryan nodded. The people here asked questions of him that no one usually did. “I do.”
“What do you do with your downtime, seeing as people must recognize you when you leave the house?”
“They do, but not as much as Elijah. They’re usually surprised to see me walking about the place.”
“Is it cool being famous?