Page 11 of Rocking Cedarwood

At the same time, Michael inwardly cringed.Shit.He should’ve seen this coming—he’d have to decide which life he wanted to lead. Did he want to keep being a teacher or continue with his music career? He hadn’t thought he’d get a longer-term contract.Well, fuck.Why hadn’t he considered the possibility that his contract would be extended?

More names were read in conjunction with contracts being offered, but none of it mattered until the principal mentioned the tenure contracts. “We’re only extending one tenure contract this year. Either we’ve got teachers with less than five years’ service or they’ve already reached tenure.” He laughed. “Mr. Grayson, we’re extending the offer of tenure to you. Congratulations.”

Niall’s eyes widened and the color drained from his face. His lips parted and he stared at Michael.I did it,Niall mouthed.

Michael applauded his friend. Later, when they were in the car together, he’d show his approval. Would Niall be attracted to him, too? He’d sure seemed to be when they’d met up to run, but what did Michael know? He’d been wrong before.

Ten minutes later, the meeting ended. Michael followed his fellow fourth-grade teachers to their hallway with the third-grade teachers. Niall caught up to him and bumped shoulders with him.

“About ready to go?” Niall asked. “I have to grab my wallet and phone from my room.”

“I’m ready.” He patted his pockets. He already had his phone and he refused to leave his room without his wallet or keys. He strolled out to the staff parking lot behind the school building and watched the kids playing basketball on the nearby courts. Behind him, the door clicked and he heard footsteps. When Michael turned, Niall bounded up to him.

“We’re going to Maynards. They called the order in before the staff meeting.” Niall unlocked his two-door car. “Feel free to change the station. I had the metal station on this morning. I needed the pick-me-up.”

“You? You’re always up.” Michael bit back a laugh. He wanted to know if he could get Niall up, but that was beside the point. “Metal makes you happy?”

“Yeah. I like the post-hair metal stuff and the classic stuff. I’m really into this band Bandit and the Blackhearts. Like crazy into them.” Niall climbed behind the wheel of the car. “Metal music is loud, unhinged and uninhibited. It makes me happy because it’s like I can lose control in a safe way.” He paused. “I’m surprised you never asked before. We always listen to music when we run.”

“Never occurred to me to inquire.” Michael nodded. He liked knowing Niall’s thoughts on his preferred genre of music. He wanted to share his love of metal music, but he feared he’d give away too much information.

“What about you? What’s your favorite kind of music?” Niall backed out of the spot and zipped across the small parking lot.

“I like metal for the same reasons you do. I like the loud volume and the frenetic styling.” Given the chance, he loved to improvise during the guitar solos and see how fast and intricately he could play. “Why didn’t you mention you liked Bandit? We’ve been friends for the whole school year.”

But they hadn’t discussed music before.

Niall shrugged. “I don’t know. You never asked me what kind of music I like and I keep my metal music listening to the car. In the classroom, I play orchestral stuff. It helps me concentrate. When I run, it’s to whatever’s fast.”

“Makes sense.”

“I bet Bandit would be fantastic at writing music for movies. He’s so emotional in the stuff he writes.” Niall gripped the steering wheel. “I’ve got most of his music memorized. I listen to it too much.” He blushed. “Sorry. I’m a fan, but I’m not like…a crazy fan. I wish they’d play more than just summer gigs.”

“Why?” He’d always wanted to ask a fan if their concert schedule was inconvenient. The guys in the band played with other bands during the rest of the year unless they were in the studio. For the most part, the schedule worked.

“I wish they’d come around more, I guess.” Niall pulled into the restaurant parking lot and stopped in one of the spots. “I don’t mind. I’m off in the summer and can see more than one show, but for other fans, it seems like a pain. I suppose that’s how it goes, though. Most of the best concerts are in the summer, so maybe they’re smarter than the rest of us.” He paused. “I’ll be right back.”

Niall left Michael alone in the car. When he returned five minutes later, he knocked on the window. Michael rolled down the glass and accepted the three bags of food. He placed the bags between his feet then took the beverage carrier from Niall.

“Where were we?” Niall slid behind the wheel again. “Oh, the Blackhearts. I do try to be the first in line for tickets. They’re about the only band I’ll go see because the tickets aren’t outrageous.”

“I bet they love knowing they’ve got loyal fans.” Michael was damn happy he had at least one loyal fan in Niall. Part of him wished he could leave the band and focus on teaching. That way he’d be able to focus on turning the friendship with Niall into something more. But the rest of him enjoyed the rush of the audience and the thrill of playing live. He craved the music.

Niall shrugged and backed out of the parking spot. “I bet they’re happy to get the money. Well, that and to have the fans. They seem really cool.”

“Even with the makeup?”

“Yeah. It works for the music. They’ve got to keep up the appearance that they’re tough. Without the makeup and pyro, they risk being boring.”

Michael gripped the beverage carrier. Niall had given him something to think about. He’d been so worried about hiding behind the makeup and the image that maybe he’d sacrificed the integrity of the music. As they turned into the school lot, Michael sat up straighter. He’d wasted the ride!Fuck.

Niall pulled to a stop in his normal parking spot. “If you’ll carry the drinks, I’ll get the bags.”

“Wait,” Michael said. “I want to apologize for leaving you so abruptly after the race.”

“It’s fine.”

“No, it’s not. My friend who courts drama needed me. It wasn’t anything that required my immediate attention, but I let him think so. I’m sorry. I should’ve been there to congratulate you.”

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