Page 9 of Holiday Hopefuls
“You have really got to stop doing gigs on Monday nights.” Slurping up more water, I peer across the small table at Aaron in all of his rockstar awesomeness. Despite the week just getting started, Theo’s Place is buzzing with energy from the band’s last set of the night.
“Sorry, Cal,” he shrugs. “Gotta do what I gotta do. Besides, you’re here in sweats. It’s not like you had to get all dressed up or anything.”
“Excuse me, but I came straight from pilates class.” Tilting my drink toward Ian beside me, I continue, “The girl running the class tried setting me up with her brother. Again.”
Aaron’s younger brother scoffs. “How many times does that make now?” His teasing hazel eyes sparkle as his tightly trimmed beard stretches with a grin.
“At least six.”
He winces. “Maybe you should just put her out of her misery and meet the poor guy.”
Rolling my eyes so hard I nearly give myself a concussion, I reach for another french fry, turning back to Aaron. Like his younger brother, Aaron sports tousled brown hair and a strong jaw. But where Ian looks every part the mortgage lender banking employee, Aaron exudes rockstar rebellion. “Anyway, I’m just saying, some of us have work in the morning.” Aaron narrows his eyes as my grin slides into place. “Though you all definitely killed it up there.”
Aaron playfully puffs out his chest.
“The new songs seemed to go over really well,” Ian offers. Leaning back in his chair, he looks my way for validation.
I nod, grin widening. “Definitely. Can I venture a guess as to your muse?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Aaron pushes up the sleeves of his Henley, exposing full sleeve dragon tattoos, before digging into the fry basket.
Sharing a quick look with my best friend, we turn back to the locally famous rockstar at the table. The same one who refuses to dress any way but casual on stage. He regularly reminds us that if it’s good enough to wear on a construction site, it’s good enough to wear while playing music. Of course, Ian and Aaron’s side remodeling company has never been known to host paying fans of Aaron’s music.
“Any time you’re ready to admit it, we’re here.” I raise my hands in false surrender. “That’s all I’m saying.”
“Ready for a day full of your family?” Aaron asks, shoving another handful of fries into his waiting mouth.
“Look how smoothly he changes the subject,” Ian teases, elbowing me in the ribs.
“Ugh, don’t remind me,” I groan. “Thanksgiving is a week and a half away, and I’m already dreading it.” Propping an elbow on the table, I rest my chin in my waiting palm.
“Everything will be fine.” Aaron reaches for his own water. “Connie will be there, so it’s not like you’ll be totally on your own.”
Biting my bottom lip, I refrain from teasing him about my sister. “Sure, but so will Chris.”
Aaron snorts, examining his greasy hands. “Yeah, that guy’s a prick. Hey, I’m gonna run and wash my hands. Be right back.” Since we picked a spot in the back, it’s only moments before he disappears down the short hallway to the restroom.
I turn to Ian. “They’ve started trying to get me to go back to school again. Find a ‘real’ profession.” Crossing my arms, I shake my head. “Maybe I’ll just skip it.”
Ian laughs. “You can’t skip your family’s Thanksgiving. No matter how badly Ira and Lillian try to derail your career.”
“I could say I’m sick.”
He gives me a skeptical look. “Like Lillian wouldn’t barge through your door and drag you there herself unless you had the Bubonic plague.”
“That woman’s definitely a force to be reckoned with,” I grumble.
“What if you just say you promised to spend the day with us?”
“Wouldn’t work.”
“Why not?”
“Because I’m pretty sure they’d notice if I didn’t go next door for the rest of the day.”
“Check this out.” Aaron says as he sits back down at the table, one random piece of paper richer than before.
“What’s that?” I ask, scrunching my nose. Taking the proffered flyer, I read aloud, “Has your family been on your case lately? As your date to this year’s holiday festivities, I’ll use my professional training to convince your family that your shortcomings are their own doing.”
