Page 101 of Hard Rock Love
The dreamy look on his face was gone, surprise having taken its place. He opened his mouth, then closed it, looking thoughtful. I took the chance to push on and make my case.
“He owes you a favor, right?” I said. “And if he’s a good drummer, then it won’t hurt the band’s chances. In fact,” I said in a teasing voice, “if he’s so talented and wonderful, maybe he’d do even better than you. He might even give Cherry Lips an edge over the competition.”
“Hey!” Seth protested, disgruntled. “I said he’sone ofthe best drummers. That doesn’t mean he’s better than me.”
I kissed Seth on his scrunched up nose.
“Don’t you think it’s at least worth considering?” I said. “That August guy can play drums for Cherry Lips during your audition, leaving you free to take your exam.”
“I don’t know if he would even want to,” Seth said.
“Only one way to find out,” I said reasonably.
Seth went silent. I could hear the gears in his head turning.
“August is talented,” he admitted. “Cerise wouldn’t have any objection to him because of that. And he does owe me a favor.”
A sort of eagerness began to take over Seth’s expression.
“You think it could work?” he asked me.
“I really do,” I replied.
He sat up straight and reached into his pocket. He pulled out his cell phone and stared at it. He took a deep breath then let it out slowly, steadying himself, before tapping the screen.
Seth put the phone to his ear. He waited. I could hear it ringing on the other end through the small speaker. A man picked up.
“Hey, August?” he asked.
Seth’s bright green eyes met mine. He smiled. I returned it with one of my own and squeezed his hand.
“It’s Seth,” he spoke into the phone. “I’ve got a favor to call in.”
