Page 37 of Resurrection
"They said there will be a movie," Kenny explains.
His twin brother grunts out something I can’t understand.
"I see." I nod. "So it’s an anime turned into a video game and possibly a movie in the near future."
"It’s a game character," Jamie finally says.
"Got ya."
"You don’t think it’s a good band name, Ms. Medina?" Kenny asks, his face suddenly serious.
"I think it’s a really cool name," I reassure him.
That seems to hit home, and they start chatting amongst themselves. I’m about to check my phone one more time when the door swings open.
All heads turn in the direction of the noise.
My heart starts pounding with an almost violent urgency at the sight of Tyler.
He walks in like he owns the place, a worn guitar case slung over one shoulder. He’s all messy hair and tattoos peeking out from under the rolled-up sleeves of his T-shirt. The years haven’t done a thing to make him less infuriatingly attractive.
Oh no.
"Hey, guys!" he calls out, his voice booming and laid-back, like he’s done this a million times. "Rumor has it, you’re going to rock the Sageview Ridge talent show this year."
The effect is instant. The teenagers start buzzing like he just plugged them all into a socket.
"Oh my God, that’s Tyler Brady!" Miranda squeals, wide-eyed.
"No way!" Asher shouts as if he’s just seen Santa Claus walk in with a Fender instead of a sack of toys.
My heart does a little somersault, but I focus on keeping my cool. "Tyler is in town for a bit, so I asked him to come give you guys some pointers," I explain, like having a famous musician crash rehearsal is totally normal for a Tuesday.
"Not sure you need them," Tyler says, moving across the room. "I heard a little when I was outside. You’re already better than I was at your age." He sets his case down on the edge of the stage and pops the lid open.
My pulse stops for a moment.
Inside is that same old acoustic guitar that he used to play for me when we were in high school. That same Fender that I'd imagined a moment ago.
Now that gets the kids’ attention too.
"Wow!" Asher crouches down to touch the guitar’s body carefully with his index finger.
"Wanna try it out?" Tyler suggests.
"Can you play something for us?" Miranda asks.
"Yeah," Kenny agrees.
"You want me to play for you guys?" Tyler’s face shows bit of a mock surprise, as if he’s shocked by the request.
"Yeah," Jamie says. "Can you play some of The Deviant’s songs?"
For a second, Tyler’s face falls, but his composure is back almost immediately.
"Something fromSaints & Sinners," Jamie requests.
"Umm, I don’t think so, guys," I try to shut it down. That entire album is outrageous. There’s not a single clean song. My parents would never have allowed me to listen to something like that at seventeen.
