Page 57 of Tainted Love
Now I need to make you see.
It can all feel overwhelming.
Baby, I want you to know I’m going nowhere.
“Is this about anyone in particular?” Kill asks with a grin when we finish playing.
I flip him the bird. “Where’s Wyatt?”
Asher shrugs. “His phone was switched off.”
“The dude’s phone is never switched off,” Kill says, tapping his sticks on his knee. “The thing is practically attached to him at all times.”
“How are we supposed to come up with new stuff when he doesn’t show up?” I throw out. “I can’t go selling us to the music execs tonight if he’s going to be unreliable.”
“It’s just a couple of sessions.”
“What’s our end game?” I ask. “What do we want for Forever Summer? Because we all need to be on the same page.”
“We are,” Asher assures me. “Cut him some slack, E. He’s given a lot to the band. Maybe he’s got something going on at home.”
“Don’t we all,” Kill mutters.
I cast a glance at Asher, but he shrugs. “You good, Kill?”
“Peachy keen, brother. Peachy keen.”
“Is something going on at home?”
“Weren’t we talking about what we want for the band?” he asks, changing the subject.
“Right.” I continue to stare at Kill, but he cools his features and gives me nothing. “What’s our ultimate goal?”
“More records.”
“Bigger gigs,” Asher throws out. “Maybe a tour.”
“Fuck, yeah.” I fist bump him.
The door opens and we all look up as Wyatt walks in, pushing his shaggy dark hair back off his face. “Sorry,” he grunts out. “I got a call on my way here from Jared’s school. I had to pick him up and drop him home.”
“Everything alright?” Asher asks.
Wyatt shrugs.
“How’d you get in?” I’ve been sure to lock the front door when I’m home. I’m not risking anyone getting in without us knowing about it.
“Bea pulled up at the same time as I did, and she let me in.” He scratches the back of his neck. “She said to let youknow you’ll have to use the bathroom on the second floor because she’s using yours.”
I check the time on my phone. It’s almost three, but the fundraiser doesn’t start until six. I shake my head. I’ll never understand women when it comes to getting ready for events. Me? I plan on jumping in the shower fifteen minutes before we leave.
A man of few words, Wyatt shrugs again as he moves over behind his keyboard. We run through the new song with him, and the addition of the keys gives a whole new dimension. There’s a reason he joined Forever Summer, and the way he shreds leaves no doubt we’ll cut the secretive fuck a break. After a few more run throughs, the sound is tight, and my brain is swimming with lyrics.
I’m itching to spark up another joint to quiet the noise and focus on the words, but I’ve already had my hit today and I need a clear head for tonight. I need to make a good impression and concentrate on the connections which will get us our big break. Not to mention Bea—and my mum—will have my fucking arse if I’m high in front of Bea’s grandfather.
By the time we finish practise at five, my mood has plummeted as I dwell on my conversation with Bea from yesterday. If everything goes well tonight, the band could get our big break, but I’ll lose the girl. Again.
Before the guys leave, Ash hands me a handful of USBs with some of our best tracks on them which have been personalised with the band’s logo designed for us by Oli before she left.
