Two days – that’s how long it had been since Lucas last saw Sindy. He kept his promise and didn’t call her, and he wondered if she was taking their breakup as badly as he was. He couldn’t stop thinking about what she was doing. If she was lonely. If she missed him. He couldn’t concentrate. He couldn’t sleep. He was falling apart.
He’d been sitting in the studio for the last few hours waiting for rehearsal to start. He simply felt closer to Sindy down here, since this is where they spent most of their time together. This is where they had their first fight. She had been so defiant and impatient. He smiled at the memory because she drove him crazy back then. She still does and probably always will.
He ran his hand across the empty seat on the couch next to him, feeling the memories of her in the cushion. This couch was where they first made love. He recalled the heated moment that turned from anger to lust in the blink of an eye. One minute they were screaming at each other, the next their hands were all over one another. Footsteps interrupted Lucas’ memory, and he shifted his gaze to the stairs.
Mason’s eyes widened with surprised when he saw that Lucas was in the studio before him, and his mouth opened into a wide smile. “Man, you startled me. I’m not used to anyone being here before me.” They greeted each other with a bear hug, before Mason jumped behind his drum kit and warmed up.
Finally, Sindy walked into the studio with Tessa. She gave Mason a smile and a friendly wave, while Lucas barely received a glance in his direction before she plugged her guitar into the amp. She kept her distance, emotionally and physically, just like she had done after the first time they’d slept together. And after the second time. And after the third time. She was struggling this time though, more upset than she’d been in the past. He knew she’d eventually warm up to him once the awkwardness of being around each other wore off.
Once they started playing her anguish would dissipate, so Lucas rushed into the first song, which didn’t take much coercion from his bandmates. Mason was still behind his drum kit, and Tessa was always ready to get down to work. Sindy pretended to be hyper-focused on her guitar, turning a key and plucking the strings too many times to make sure it sounded right and wiping a non-existent smudge from the paint.
Lucas tried to interact with her during the first song, but she backed off. He frowned at her, trying to express the sadness he felt at her rejection, but she looked away. During the second song, she spent most of her time interacting with Mason instead of him.
After 30 minutes, they took a break. Tessa was all business. There was no chitchat. No small-talk. She sat with a bottle of water and reviewed the video of their rehearsal.
Mason left his drum kit to use the restroom at the back of the studio, which left Sindy by herself. Lucas had no intention of chasing her or cornering her. He planned on keeping his word of maintaining a strictly professional relationship, so he sat on the couch and pretended to review the video with Tessa. He watched Sindy from his peripheral vision, though, and as soon as Mason exited the bathroom she caught him with the pretense of some intricate discussion. Lucas knew it was a charade and wondered if Mason caught on.
“Playback looks great,” Tessa announced before turning away from the flat screen. “Where is everybody?” Clearly she expected everyone in position and ready to continue with rehearsal.
“I’m ready.” Lucas placed the strap of his guitar over his head and moved to his spot on the floor.
But Tessa wasn’t looking at him. Her eyes were locked on Sindy and Mason. “What’s going on over there with you two?”
“Nothing,” Sindy replied, a little too defensively.
Tessa was a ball of stress today. “Can we get back to work? The tour starts in two weeks. Everything has to be perfect.”
When rehearsal resumed, Lucas made it a point to give Sindy space. There was zero interaction between them, and it blew Sindy’s concentration. Her timing was off on two of the songs, and it clearly grated on Tessa, even though she didn’t say anything about it.
After another 30 minutes of rehearsal they took another break. Lucas retreated to the couch again and strummed some new riffs that were in his head. While Tessa used the restroom, Sindy talked to Mason. She asked him about his career, and once Mason started talking, there was no shutting that guy up. He stood up from his stool and stepped around his kit in order to tell Sindy an animated story about some antics on the road while touring with a well-known heavy metal band a few years ago. Lucas knew Sindy was only partly paying attention. She laughed in all the right places, but her eyes kept drifting to Lucas.
Tessa exited the bathroom, just as Sindy laughed with Mason and hung onto his arm to over-emphasize their lively conversation. Tessa stopped short and glared at them. “What the hell is going on here?”
Mason and Sindy turned toward her, stunned at her outburst.
Lucas knew his sister’s temper, and he watched warily.
“What’s going on with you two?” Tessa demanded, when no one answered.
“Nothing.” Sindy replied. “We’re just talking.”
Tessa’s face went blank and her eyes widened. She opened and closed her mouth a few times and her face turned beet red before words finally came out. “You’re sleeping with him. I don’t fucking believe it!”
“No, I’m not,” Sindy said, unconvincingly, dropping her eyes to the floor.
“How dare you lie to me?” Tessa was irate, with both fists firmly planted on her hips. “You’re my best friend, and you’re sleeping with Mason behind my back!”
Sindy’s eyes darted up to meet Tessa’s stare. “What? No. I’m not sleeping with Mason, Tessa. I swear.”
“You’re lying to me! I’m not stupid, Sindy.” Tessa’s hands flew to her forehead. “It all makes sense now. The way I always found you two alone together.”
“What are you talking about?” Sindy asked, genuinely confused.
“After rehearsal that time when I went for a run and you came back to my room an hour later with Mason. I knew you weren’t walking on the beach. There was no sand on your sneakers! And that night at 230 Fifth when I found the two of you alone together on the balcony. And the way you’ve been glued to him on rehearsal breaks. Just admit it. You don’t have to sneak around. Tell me the truth. I’m not working with someone who’s a liar. Just tell me the damn truth!”
Lucas watched, along with Mason, as the two girls went back and forth. Sindy was growing more and more flustered with each accusation. It was unfair, and Lucas stood up ready to come to her defense, when she suddenly burst into tears.
“I’m in love with your brother! It has nothing to do with Mason! It’s Lucas I’m in love with!”
