Page 48 of Even Beneath the Stars

Chapter Nineteen

Xavier

"So, here's the deal…" Cam props himself on the railing, his chiseled features half-obscured by the dark silhouettes thrown from the towering streetlights that line the docks. "Our band's breaking up."

"What? But you guys are insane." I shake my head. "Your original stuff is… It's sick, man."

"Yeah, well, creative differences." He shrugs. "Plus some other drama I won't bore you with. But Tyler—our drummer—and I want to keep playing together. And Liam Kilberg's probably gonna join us on bass."

Cam's fingers tap a rhythm against his water bottle now, the cold turning his knuckles red. "Thing is, we need a lead singer. Someone who can also handle guitar. And word is, you're pretty damn good at both."

I freeze. "Where'd you hear that?"

"Maggie mentioned it." He catches my expression and adds, "Said she heard you playing at your place. Something you wrote yourself."

Heat creeps up my neck despite the cold.That night in the Observatory, I thought I was alone.

Still, this is… good. What Maggie said—what she did, telling Cam I have a good voice and that I'm talented—it's more than a little flattering. And really kind, especially after the way I've been treating her. I'm sort of stunned.

"Look," Cam continues, "no pressure. But we're getting together on Sunday to jam. Nothing serious, just feeling things out. You should come."

My mind races. Playing with other musicians, creating something real… it's different than just kicking back and messing around alone in the Observatory. More exposed. More raw. Unfamiliar and daunting in a way that seems like it would feel like walking a tightrope with no net, and the whole world watching

"I don't know, man." I shift, lifting my arm to rub the muscle along the back of my neck.

"Just think about it." Cam pulls out his phone. "What's your cell? I'll text you my number and you can text me later if you want details."

I give him my number and a second later, my phone buzzes with his text. "Cool…" I pocket my cell. "And look, I'm really flattered you're even asking me. Not sure I'm as good as Maggie made me out to be, though… I might be total shit."

"I doubt that." He thinks I'm joking.He takes another swig of water. "Anyway, no pressure. Worst-case scenario, it's a chill afternoon jamming with a couple of halfway decent guys. Best-case scenario, we gel and create something awesome."

Worst-case scenario, I make a total ass of myself.

"We go on to live the rockstar lifestyle," Cam continues, shrugging. "Trash hotel rooms, wear mesh tank tops. You know—live the rockstar dream."

"Always wanted to wear a mesh tank top."

Cam laughs. "Well, I'm here to make all your rockstar dreams come true." He glances over his shoulder. "Okay, I should head back in there… The guys are probably wondering where I took off to."

"Sounds good." I follow him back towards the glowing lights of the old warehouse. "And seriously, man—I appreciate you reaching out."

"No problem." He pulls the door open. "Hopefully in a couple years' time we'll be trashing hotel rooms together."

"Don't forget the mesh tank tops. You promised there'd be bad eighties rocker threads."

"We'll get the leather pants to match," he jokes, as we step into the warmth. "Go big or go home."

I weave through the crowd back to our table to find that the group's expanded—Silas is slouching next to Jackie, arm draped around her shoulders, and the blond surfer guy is here too, talking to Seb.

And then Maggie. Perched on the edge of her seat, eyes fixed on the stage as the band prepares to start their second set.

"Xave!" Jackie jumps to her feet and throws her arms around me. "Everyone thought you left."

"Just getting some air." I hug her. "Good to see you, Jax."

The spot I had earlier between Seb and Dylan is taken, so I slide onto an empty chair across from Maggie. The band launches into a cover of an Arctic Monkeys song, and everyone's attention shifts to the stage. Everyone except me.

I can't stop watching her.

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