I remember when we would go to the beach together. Spend all day in the water and nights on the sand writing song lyrics. What I wouldn’t give to go back to that. Writing for fun and not being obligated. I really need to hear her voice. She always helps calm the storm inside of me. I call her again and nothing.
“Hey this is Cara. I can’t get to the phone right now, but leave me a message and I’ll be sure to call y’all back.”
I hang up once more and toss my phone on the table, then take a seat. Why is she ignoring me? Has to be from that new guy she's been hanging out with. Mr. Popular. Yeah I remember him. Connor something. Nice kid, quiet, hard worker. Was always dedicated to the team. But that was years ago. Who knows how he is now. Probably a player. Not that I can really say shit about that. How many randos have I had this month? It doesn’t matter because I’m not the one pursuing Carson, and from the photos I’ve been seeing, he likes hanging all over her. Him and that other kid. She better not be hanging out with Xavier Dai. He is trouble with a capital T.
“Bro, you need to chill the fuck out. I can feel your anger and tension from over here,” Alex complains. I stand, pushing my chair back, and grab my phone. I need to walk this off. I start to pace again and Alex sighs. “Seriously dude. What the fuck is your issue? You keep scowling at your phone like it pissed in your Cheerios.” He closes the notebook he was writing in and hops up. “I know, let’s go get you laid. We’ve been stuck in this studio for too long.”
He comes over and rips my phone from my hand and, if he wasn’t my bandmate I may have taken a swing at him. I laugh and snatch it back. “Nice try, but you heard the boss lady. We need to have three new songs by next week, and they aren't just going to magically pop out of your ass.” He growls and plops back down on the chair with a pout. “This is so fucking dumb. Why do we have to write and perform some pop country shit with prima donna Dolly?”
I roll my eyes, but sit down on the couch in front of him. Everything has gone to shit since Friday when we got the news that they were adding someone to our band. A no name female singer. Seems the CEO of our label’s niece is a huge fan and wants to record her debut with us. Talk about a publicity stunt for instant fame.
“Do we even know if she can sing?” Mikey asks up from the back of the room. Huh, I thought he was asleep.
“Doesn’t matter, they’ll just autotune her if she can’t, but shit I hope she can. This is a fucking nightmare,” Alex snaps loudly in exasperation. I wince from the sudden noise, and growl.
“Now you need to chill the hell out.” He rolls his eyes at me. You would think that being a guy in his twenties he wouldn’t respond like a teenage girl who doesn’t get her way, but that's just Alex. Drama King to the max.
“Knock knock,” Gem says, coming into the room with takeout and beer.
“Oh thank god. Darling, I love you,” I tell her, helping to take some of the bags from her arms. Mikey jumps up to grab the beer, and Alex sits on his ass like usual. Now I’m the one rolling my eyes.
“Yeah, yeah, buster. Keep it in your pants,” Gem retorts, making me snort. She may be my assistant—more of an ass than an assist, but she has become a good friend these past few months. She reminds me of Cara a bit. The way we can bullshit and talk for hours. I’m glad she’s here.
I grab one of the bags and pull out the food with my name on it. “So, babe, tell me what amazing new find you got for us today?” Gem loves to try hole in the wall hidden restaurants, she calls them her five star treasure finds. And she hasn't poisoned us, yet. She jumps up and down with a squeal. “Superstar, you’re going to love what I found.”
I open it up, and the aroma of curry and spices hits my nose, making me groan. Yeah, this will do.
“How come he got curry, and I got something that looks like baby vomit?” Alex complains. I glance over at his meal and laugh. “That does look gross, but dude just take a ‘no thank you bite’ and shut the hell up.”
“What the fuck is a ‘no thank you bite’?” he says with a glare.
“Didn’t your Mama ever teach you that even if you don’t like it you take one bite to be polite?” He goes to respond and my phone rings. I glance down and see Cara’s baby blues. Fucking finally. I immediately answer, not caring that my mouth is full.
“Where have you been?” I snap then cringe at my tone and swallow. “I mean, what are you up to?” Yeah, because that’s much better, idiot.
“Hey sorry, I was in the shower when you rang. What’s up?” I instantly picture her in the shower and my body starts to heat and stiffen. I stand, moving over to the corner facing the wall of windows and clear my throat. “How was the beach?”
She giggles, and I swear my whole day brightens. She has always had that effect on me.
“It was amazing. I learned how to surf. I’m not very good but I did get up on the board a few times. It felt like I was flying. Connor let me ride with him too and that was amazing.”
Ugh Connor. Lucky bastard.
“We did some shopping, and I got a killer tan. Your mom and I are having a girls’ day tomorrow so I’ll get my nails done. I may even get my hair highlighted. I’m nervous about college, Memphis. I wish you could be there.” She continues to ramble but I’m still lost on the fact she was with Connor.
“I miss you, shortcake.” I blurt out, stopping her from going on about different hair colors. She sighs, “I miss you too, Memphis. Always.”
I glance over my shoulder at the guys. Gem must have left at some point and they seem busy, so I turn on a video call request and wait. I lean against the window and hear a gasp. “Oh wow that view is incredible,” Cara says, gently biting her lip. I internally groan and nod. I remember those lips. The way they pressed to mine during a stupid childhood game. How they were hesitant and had barely any pressure, but so soft, with the hint of coconut. I made the mistake of deepening the kiss, and getting my first taste of her, before pushing her away and walking off. Who knew a kiss could make me as rock hard as that did? I had to leave the party and calm myself down before I truly ruined our friendship.
“Well, hello gorgeous.” Mikey says, coming up and snatching the phone from me. He gives me a look lifting his brow in a ‘who is she’ gesture and I groan rubbing my hand down my face in impatience and annoyance.
“Um, hi.” Cara squeaks before we see her bedroom ceiling.
“What are you doing?” I ask and she laughs nervously.
“Um, so yeah, I’m kinda half naked right now. I wasn’t expecting you to video call and for others to see me.”
My mouth drops in surprise and Mikey laughs. Alex jumps up and races to snatch my phone from Mikey.