Climbing into mine, I waste no time pulling out of the parking lot. I have a relationship to fix and then I need to do as Joan suggested and try to fix myself.
20
Devin
“Are you ready to head out?”Cash pats me on the shoulder. “We should probably get there early enough to see the other band.”
We’re sitting in my garage drinking water. Honestly, I need something stronger, but I don’t want to drink and drive. Plus, there’s the added embarrassment of looking like fools in front of the very people we’re trying to impress.
“Yeah, let’s head that way.” We aren’t doing anything here except freaking ourselves out. It’ll do us no good. At least if we’re at the bar, we’ll be surrounded by people who support us. Folks who keep coming back week after week to watch us do our thing.
“We riding together, or taking separate cars?” Trey asks as he grabs his bottle of water. “I don’t care either way.”
“All the equipment is in the truck, right?” Even if Crooked Halo doesn’t pick us, I think we need to invest in a trailer.
“Yep.” Trey nods and heads toward the door.
“Then we can all ride together.” I stand and join my friends by the door. We still don’t have a name, and we’ll need to fix that soon. Right now, all that matters is we go on the stage and perform to the best of our ability while having fun doing it.
“Are you sure?” Cases asks as we walk outside. It’s already dark and I flip on the floodlight so we can see.
“Why wouldn’t I be?”
“Because a certain lady friend will be there.” Trey grins. “We don’t want to get in the way of true love.”
If only it were that. She would have talked to me by now if it was. I don’t even know if she’ll be there. She hasn’t mentioned it since right before I left her house on Wednesday. There’s a good chance she’s getting packed up to leave after she finishes the bartending class.
“It’s fine.” They follow me to the truck. Trey gets in the backseat but Cash doesn’t immediately climb in. “What’s up?”
“Oh, nothing with me. I just wanted to reassure you she’ll be there.”
“You can’t know that.” Especially when I don’t.
“Maybe not.” He shrugs and rounds the front of the truck to the passenger side. “But I have a gut feeling that everything will be okay.”
I’m glad he thinks so because right now I’m barely holding onto any hope that she wants to work things out.
The band playing before us is unloading and I park a few spaces away until they are done. We need to form a game plan. “Are we good to sing the new song tonight? Does it feel like we’ve gotten the kinks worked out?”
“Hell yeah,” Trey slaps the back of my seat. “I think it should be the last song we play.”
“Why not in the middle?” Cash turns in his seat until he can see our friend.
“Because it’s new. And, it’s an amazing song.” He shakes his head and laughs. “You save the best for last. It’s like you two don’t know what you’re doing sometimes.”
“We’ll go with your plan.” He has a point. “We’ll start with one of the crowd favorites, then play a few off our normal list, and end with the new one. Sound good to everyone?”
“Yep.” Cash points out the front window. “It looks like they’ve finished unloading. Let’s get our gear inside.” I put the truck in gear and Cash asks, “Are we going first or last?”
“Last. One of the perks of being a regular band. We get special treatment.” Not that we need it, but I want to see exactly what this other band is like.
The area behind the stage is clear and the other band is on the stage setting up. We place our instruments against the back wall before making our way to the bar area. I glance around the space to see if I can find the members of Crooked Halo.
My eyes bounce right over them before realizing they are here. They are settled around a table in the back corner. My guess is they are trying to stay unseen. If word gets out, they’re here, this place is going to fill up...quick.
I keep moving so I don’t tip anyone off. Eric is behind the bar and pouring drinks for a few people in the stools. When he sees me, he nods his head in acknowledgment. Within a few moments, he’s coming toward the three of us with mugs. “Here you go.”
“Man, we were trying to keep from drinking until after we perform.” I try to push the drinks back.
