Page 13 of Crash & Burn

And that right there is a problem, because my music is themostimportant thing to me, aside from my mom and sisters.

When Mia and Mateo got here, I thought I was prepared to see her again, convincing myself that last night’s overprotective thoughts about wanting to make sure she was okay were merely a fluke. But now, seeing her again in her jean shorts and an oversized Cross My Heart crewneck, there’s a pressure in my chest that has never been there before.

Her blonde hair is up in a high ponytail and her face is bare of any makeup unlike last night. Her pretty brown eyes, high cheekbones, and heart-shaped lips are definitely distracting enough, but when her attention is directed at me I had to remind myself that she was Mateo’s little sister.

I couldn’t help but watch her as we started playing because I was so confused by her expression. The second Mateo started singing, it was like her mind went to a completely different place. It wasn’t until he yelled at me that she snapped out of it.

When I take a seat behind my drum set, Mia is still awkwardly clutching her camera as if it’s holding all the secrets of the world. I barely understood her when she ran away from me just now, but I’m surprised to see her here with a camera at all after what I witnessed last night.

But I am glad to hear her hand is okay . . . thatsheis okay.

Mateo told me and the other guys this morning that Miawasgoing to be hanging around taking pictures of us for the band’s social media,while he alsoremindedus that she is off-limits, aside from polite conversation and respectful banter which is already an upgrade from the usual.

It was nice to see her talking with Mateo, Theo, and Silas with a shy, soft smile on her face. It was a drastic contrast to what I saw last night.

Now that I’ve seen what she looks like when she is content, I hope she stays that way.

Because she’s Mateo’s sister.

No other reason.

I’m surprised to find that she’s shy and soft-spoken, though. A girl who punches grown men in the face doesn’t seem like she would have those character traits.

“Eddie!” Mateo shouting my name takes me out of my thoughts.

“What?” I ask, confused.

“Didn’t you hear me? I asked you three times if you were ready.” Mateo doesn’t sound mad, just stern. When he’s like this, he reminds me of a high school teacher who scolded you for being late to class.

“Oh, sorry. Yeah, ready.” I count the guys in as I hit my drumsticks together three times, and then start the song.

Damn, I think to myself as Silas starts the bass line and Theo comes in with his electric guitar.Why is she so damn distracting?

My question is quickly answered when I find those two pretty brown eyes staring right at me as I play. Mia is still clutching her camera, but she is watching me. It’s taking everything in me to play the song I know by heart when those eyes are on me.

“Stop!” Mateo shouts over the music. I see him look directly at Mia and follow her gaze to turn to me. “You’re behind again,” he says, but there’s more to his words. He caught her staring at me, and I’m being scolded. Again.

He turns back to Mia. “Why don’t you take a few pics?” He poses it as a question, but it was an order.

Mia doesn’t say anything but nods her head and loops the strap connected to her camera around her neck.

“Busted,” I hear Silas say under his breath. I ignore him and the glare I’m getting from Mateo, and I count them back in to start the song over.

***

I manage to get through the rest of practice without getting distracted by Mia, even though I couldn’t help but follow her in my peripheral vision as she walked around with her camera at her eye, snapping pictures ofus.

She started out slow, looking at every picture right after she took it, but then I watched as she got more comfortable.

I don’t know much about photography, but I can imagine it’s all about finding the right shot and angle, the same way that writing a song is about finding the right feelings and memories to convey something people can identify with.

Taking photos must be like riding a bike because Mateo had said something about her not doing this a lot lately, but she jumped back into it as if she never stopped.

We pack up our stuff and decide to go next door to Lenny’s for a drink. Mateo usually ends practice early on Sunday nights because we all have jobs to go back to on Monday.

The four of us are regulars there in addition to being their recurring performers. The owner, Emmett, finally let his girlfriend, Drew, convince him that live music was a perfect addition to his bar. I’ve been working for him ever since we graduated college, and when I’m not with the band, I’m there. Especially since Drew and Emmett started dating earlier this year. I spend a lot of time there because Emmett hasfinallygiven himself hours that allow him a social life outside of Lenny’s.

Mateo and I met in college, and Emmett was my best friend and roommate. The two of them became good friends too, especially nowthat we practice next door tohis bar.

---