Page 10 of Derailed
“I don’t turn down a little tongue or finger action. Especially if the chick is hot.” Coy doesn’t miss a beat and holds up his hand forAustin.
“I fucking love this guy.” Austin meets his high five laughing heartily, and settles back to lean against thewall.
I’m not impressed, but I don’t say that. There’s something about Coy, and I can’t pinpoint it. The words coming from his lips are the right ones, but they’re almost too practiced, or hold an air of pretentious self-entitlement that turns me off. A glance at both Austin and Trent tells me I’m the only one who feels thisway.
“Let’s rock out for an hour before we make it official,” Isuggest.
“What?” Trent eyes me and works his jaw back and forth. “Sean, he can obviouslyplay.”
“Yeah, well, I wanna play with him. Besides, being in a band isn’t only about talent. It’s about chemistry. If the drummer and bass player don’t find a groove, the entire song falls flat.” My stare falls back on Coy. I have to give him credit because he doesn’t back down or glanceaway.
“Come on, don’t be such a shit.” Austin groans. He’s lazy as fuck and doesn’t want to drag this out. Toobad.
“No, he’s not wrong.” Coy’s gaze meets mine and dances with the same confrontation my eyes hold. We both smile, light and relaxed, like this isn’t a big deal, but he can tell I’m challenging him. I’m not usually one who needs to be the alpha. I don’t give a fuck who’s the center of attention, but this guy rubs me the wrong way and I have this unexplainable need to one up him. To make him work forthis.
“We don’t have all day.” Bedo taps his fingers on his knee and the gold rings catch the light with the motion. “One song. Make itgood.”
I strut into the recording room with the rest of the guys behindme.
“Only My Midnight,” Trent says, and before anyone argues, Coy counts us off with his sticks. Midnight is one of our older tunes, one Derek wrote for us back when we toured in a rented minivan, but it’s always been a fave. My fingers slap across the strings in an easy rhythm and I’ve gotta admit, as much as Coy’s personality irritated me a few moments ago, this guy can play. It’s as if we’ve been practicing for months, that’s how cohesive the sound is, and I know without a doubt he’s our newdrummer.
We don’t even finish the last chorus before the studio door swings open and Bedo struts in with a smile that stretches his entire face. “Yes. Fuckingyes!”
Trent and Austin beam along with Bedo and I manage asmile.
“Coy Wright, I think I speak for everyone when I say . . .You’re hired! Temporary basis, of course. We’ll make sure things jive through the summer tour, and after that, if all parties agree, we’ll make itofficial.”
His eyes widen and jaw falls open. He quickly recovers, though, his mouth snapping shut. He stands from behind the drums and struts over to shake Bedo’s hand. “That’s great. Thank you for theopportunity.”
“The label rents a house not too far from here; I’m sure you’ll find the accommodations comfortable. Guys, I’d like him to move in ASAP. Give you all a chance to build a relationship.” He nods at Coy, “Plus, we have a practice studio set upthere.”
“We braid each other’s hair sometimes,” Austin deadpans, and this time I actually dosmile.
Bedo rolls his eyes and turns his attention back on Coy. “If you’ll follow me over to the business side of things, we’ll work up the specifics of yourcontract.”
“That’s great. Fantastic. Dude, I’m stoked!” The words fumble from Coy’s mouth along with his joy. Maybe he’s an asshole, maybe not, but at least he’s clean, wants to be here, and can play. It’s not everything but it’s a start. “But, uh . . .One thingfirst?”
Bedo’s lips mash together and he taps his shoe on the ground. He lifts one brow. “Shoot.”
“There’s one condition to my acceptance. No, more like a request.” Coy’s shoulders droop a little along with his gaze and his feet scuff thefloor.
“What’s that?” Trent’s eyebrows rise and meet my indifferent stare. I’m sure he and I are thinking the same.You’re being offered the gig of a lifetime and you’re already placing stipulations?Great.Just what we need. A diva of adrummer.
Coy clears his throat and meets Bedo’s stare. “My girlfriend, Jess, she’s been with me through thick and thin and we live together. I’d like to have her withme.”
Trent’s calculating stare softens with understanding.Oh,great.
Austin groans. “Not another fucking girlfriend on the bus. No way. Fuck this! We’re gonna need to stock more tampons than condoms at this rate!” He throws his hands in the air. I roll my eyes at his tantrum. He’s the one that needs the Midol with his moodswings.
Coy’s hopeful smile falls and he nods at Austin’soutburst.
“Ignore him.” Trent walks over and slaps Austin on the back. “Dude’s just pissed he can’t ever get a seconddate.”
“Fuck you.” Austin laughs and pretends to hump and slap the air in front of him. “I hit it and quit it. I’m the smartest motherfucker in thisband.”
Trent shoves Austin away and rolls his eyes before tipping his chin at Coy. “Won’t be an issue unless it starts to interfere with the dynamic of the band. My girlfriend toured with us last summer. She’s on her own now but once that finishes up she’ll join us,too.”
“Right, Lexi Marx. That’s awesome, bro. Jess won’t be a problem. She’s a cool chick. And if you guys decide she doesn’t fit, I’ll personally kick her to the curb.” He laughs like it’s funny, or maybe it’s just nerves. I can’t decide whether his broad smile is from the excitement of being offered the drumming position or he’s so eager to please us that he’s happily willing to discard his girlfriend.Whom he supposedly can’t live without.Either way, it’sannoying.
