Page 58 of Hard Rock Temptation
I took a seat on a drum stool. The toe of my boot was just able to touch the floor so I could use it to swivel back and forth. I picked up a pair of drumsticks and twirled them between my fingers in rapid motions.
It wasn’t until I realized that I was clenching my jaw to a silent rhythm that I stopped my fidgeting. The atmosphere was strained and I didn’t want to add to it. I made myself relax, unclenching my jaw, putting down the drumsticks, and rotating my shoulders.
I was usually the mood-maker of the group. Whatever I did, however I acted, everyone else would follow my lead. Which meant it was up to me to dispel this tension and bring some fun back into the game.
“All right, you genius, talented rock stars, let’s do this thing,” I cheered. “We’ve got some of the most talented young minds in rock music gathered in one room. Let’s create something brilliant.”
“Sorry Finn, that means you have to leave,” Zain quipped to his best friend with a laugh and a nudge to his ribs.
“Why does everyone always gang up on me?” Finn complained, feigning a pout. “Try throwing one of your zingers at Anya or Chris next time.”
“They don’t react like you do,” Zain told Finn with a smirk. “You make it too easy.”
“Hey, I’m an expressive guy, what can I say?” Finn spread his arms wide with a grin, not bothered in the least. “Kay, I’m surprised you haven’t jumped in by now. Usually you’re the first person to mouth off at me.”
“But Zain’s doing such a great job at it,” I said. “Why would I take away his fun?”
Finn turned that pout on me, then got an evil look on his face and I dreaded what he was going to say next.
“So, Micah,” Finn spoke up loudly. “What’s it like taming the untamable? Kay’s such a handful, I can’t imagine what it’s like to actually?—”
“Stop.” Micah tried to sound stern, but it came out in a groan. “There will be no speculation on our relationship. Ever. It is not up for discussion.”
“Aw, c’mon, you can’t tell me Kaylee isn’t sharing all the deets with Anya?” Finn cajoled.
I tried not to get that deer-in-the-headlights look, keeping my face smooth. I didn’t want Micah to think I was dishing on everything we did together, but it was true I had shared some details...
“Girl Code requires that I do not divulge anything I’ve been told in confidence,” Anya said evenly, her long dark hair falling over her shoulders as she leaned forward. “What does Guy Code say?”
Finn opened his mouth with a wicked glint in his eyes. I picked up a drumstick and threw it at his head, making him duck with a wince.
“Girl CodeandGuy Code says that everyone shuts up about my relationship with Micah,” I said. “Nothing’s changed. We’re still all bandmates together. Don’t make things weird. So, new topic,” I declared. “We’re here to talk about Until We Break’s second album.”
The lighthearted mood I’d tried to work up instantly dissipated, expressions falling and eyes shifting.
“We all had a few days to think, so let’s open up the floor,” Micah said, stepping in as leader.
“I love the new stuff, and—” Zain said.
“I love the new stuff, but—” Finn said at the same time.
The two best friends stopped and looked at each other. Great. So already we were in disagreement.
“Zain, why don’t you go first?” Micah said.
Zain moved his sharp gaze from Finn to Micah.
“I love the new stuff,” he said. “It’s got a more mature sound. It really shows off our growth as artists.”
“You’re not wrong,” Finn jumped in. “I love the new stuff, too. But, Zain, man, you have to admit that it’s really experimental. That song you wrote? It’s like a completely different band wrote it. It doesn’t sound like us.”
“But itcouldsound like us,” Zain insisted. “That’s what I’m saying. Why not let our music move in a new direction?”
“This is less like moving and more like throwing ourselves off a gigantic cliff,” Finn said.
“I know you love to exaggerate Finn, but I don’t think our fans will see it that way,” I interjected. “I don’t think the label will see it that way. If we give people the exact same thing we did as last time, they’re going to get bored. They’ll lose interest.”
“But our fans love usbecauseof what we gave them,” Anya said softly. “That’s why they listened. That’s what they expect to hear from us. Do we want to release something totally different and confuse them? Or even let them down?”
