Tim leans forward.“If she’s your true friend, she’ll understand.”
“Ooooh, honey!So wise!”Callie turns, wrapping her arms around his neck and pressing her lips to his.
“Alright, let me call Adam...So much for a relaxing beach day,” I say, coming to my feet again.
Chapter 44
Levi
Tate: We should talk.
I stare at it and stare at it.Those three words are never good.I recount my steps and try to think of anything that would warrant a conversation.Nothing.But it’s pretty on par with how today is going.I’ve been practicing for the last show on and off all day.Gabriella pulled a no-show on me, and when I texted her, she said she wasn’t feeling well, but not to worry because she already knows every word to the song...which is not the point.The point is to practice body language, chemistry, and to...I don’t know, make it fun.I know one thing—it’s really hard to play Danny without Sandy.But none of this explains why Tate wants to talk.I type back, hoping she’ll give me a clue.
Levi: All ok?
Tate: Yeah, everything is fine.How are you?
So, she’s...fine?I look up at the clock in the studio.It’s closing in on seven.I haven’t eaten anything, but need to nail one last part before I go in.If Tate’s good, then whatever she wants to talk about is trivial and we can talk about it after I figure this out.I set down my phone and slip the headphones back over my head.
An hour or so later, I’m happy with how it sounds despite not having a Sandy, a.k.a.Gabriella, which, again...this was her idea.I carefully clean up the studio, hanging up the headphones and storing the stools back next to the wall.I flip off the workstation before heading for the door.Everything in the studio is cast into shadow, and it suddenly occurs to me that this might be the last time I’m in here.Tomorrow’s the show.Then, win or lose, I pack up my things and say goodbye to this place.My body hangs between the inside and outside world as I take one last look before closing and locking the doors.
A yawn falls from my mouth as I enter the house.I’m exhausted and I think I’m actually ready to go home.The fridge hums and I can’t find the energy to make something to eat so I grab a handful of trail mix and head upstairs.Gabriella’s light is on and I can hear her talking her normal speed of a mile a minute.Part of me wants to go in there and call her out, but the majority of me is dying to brush my teeth and fall into bed, which is what happens.
My final thought before drifting to sleep is “I forgot to call Tate.”
––––––––
Morning comes beforeI’m ready, but it’s not the slow buzz of my phone that wakes me, it’s Gabriella.
“Rise and shine, you extra-large sack of bones!”she sings.My finger rushes to the corner of my eye, working out the sleep.
“Gabriella, what time is it and why are you in my room?”I’m on my stomach, hands anchored under my pillow, when I feel the bed dip with her weight.I try to look, but at this angle I can’t see anything.I roll over onto my back to find her staring down at me, a small smile playing across her lips.Snap!The flash of her camera goes off.
“Gabby, are you taking pictures?”
She ignores me, looking down at her phone.“One last one for the ’gram.The people love you.”
