When it ends, she exhales and I allow the final chord to linger.
Padraig’s eyes are wild. “Fuck me.” He wipes his face. “I knew you were writin’. I didn’t expect this.”
“Well.” I watch him carefully. “What do you think?”
“I think these songs could save us.” He folds his arms. “Truly.”
Avonna’s face reddens. “Really?”
He shoots her a genuine smile I haven’t seen in a while, then he nods at me. “Brilliant.”
I glance at Avonna. She peers up at me through the fringe of her hair.
It’s validating. She and I know we’re creating magic. Life-changing magic. I’m thrilled Padraig feels the same way, even if he hasn’t been part of the songwriting process for the first time in Fireball’s history.
We run through a few more songs, barely speaking, letting the sound carry. It’s the closest thing to communion I’ve felt in months. Padraig watches in fascination, shaking his head like he can’t believe what he’s hearing.
When we finish, he leans back, breathless. “Jesus Christ.”
“No good?” I flick my sweaty hair out of my face.
He laughs, full-bellied. “Cut the modesty bullshit, you know how good it is.”
“Been on a roll.” Relief floods through me, masked by a shrug.
He scrubs his chin. “Clearly. I didn’t realize how much time you’ve been spendin’ together.”
“We kind of found a rhythm. It’s been organic.” Avonna sits on the edge of an amp.
Orgasmic, too,I think to myself.
“I knew you were talented, but…” He gestures loosely at her. “You’ve brought somethin’ I never even knew was missin’.”
I watch him process. He’s definitely not upset, it’s more like he’s connecting the dots. Or trying to.
He misses wildly.
“Wait…are you two going to release these songs as a duo?” he asks cautiously.
“Not exactly.” She tucks a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “Liam, Linus, and I have talked about an idea. It’s why I’m here tonight.”
I shift my weight, on the verge of freaking out. We agreed not to push but Avonna has an uncanny sense of timing. Seems like he’s opened the door.
Avonna’s keeps her cool. “I know this will sound presumptuous, so I hope you’ll hear me out. I’ve been a solo performer for a few years. Fireball needs a singer. I’ve never enjoyed being on stage alone, front and center. I don’t care about being a star. I care about making music with impact. The chemistry Liam and I have found in our songwriting,” she gestures to me, “feels like it should be more.”
Padraig’s eyes bug out. “You’re serious?”
“I don’t want to fuck up your dynamic.” She touches his arm. “But, I’d love to be considered for your open singer position.”
I watch his face closely. He doesn’t speak right away. Finally he plops down on the ratty couch. “Fuck me.”
Avonna laughs nervously. “Not the reaction I was hoping for.”
“No, I mean, we’ve been stuck. Me, especially. I’ve been trying to care again. I have no motivation to write. It’s been…” He exhales. “Rough. I’ve been strugglin’ with whether I want to keep goin’.”
“Dar,” I swallow. “You told me you needed to take a break. We’ve taken a break. I don’t want you to hear about you quittin’.”
“Truthfully, it’s the way I was feelin’.” He glances between us. “I didn’t think I had it in me to start again with a new singer. But hearin’ this? Playin’ this?” He shrugs. “It’s wakin’ me up.”
