Page 2 of Riot Reunion
“I can see that I’m right. I’ve struck a nerve and you don’t like it. The truth of the matter is that you’re going to be in Virginia, miles, and miles away, working hard at something you’re passionate about. I think that’s commendable, Pax, really, I do. But you know the age-old adage. Out of sight, out of mind. You’re worried that she’s gonna find somebody else, andyouwant that ring on her finger to prove to yourself that you own her—”
“Fuck you, man. I don’t want toownher.” This motherfucker is treading on thin ice. I want to keep things kosher between us for Chase’s sake, but therearelimits.
“Prove it, then. Prove that everything you’ve said to me since you walked through that door is true. If Presley loves you so much, and you love her, you can hold off. If you aren’t trying to control her or assuage your own insecurities, then you can wait to ask Presley to marry you for one year.”
“One year isn’t going to change anything.”
“Precisely. If what you’re saying is the case, then it really won’t. But you will have put in the effort and made a long-distance relationship work for twelve whole months. That’s no mean feat. And you’ll have gotten to know each other properly. It won’t be so—so rushed, and—”
“All right! All right! Jesus fucking Christ!” I throw myself back into the armchair I’m sitting in, gouging my fingernails into the flesh of my palms. Ireallywant to hit this bastard. “Fine. A year from today—”
“A year from the start of college—”
“I’m not haggling, dude. A year fromtoday, I’ll be asking Presley to marry me. Just to prove to you that I don’t want this becauseI’mworried I’ll lose her. And I won’t be schlepping my ass over here to ask your permission next time. I’m just going to ask.”
“Fine,” Robert says.
“Fine,” I shoot back.
“A year it is. I’ll be looking forward to the good news then.”
“No, you won’t.”
“Ah! Here we are. Fresh pot of coffee.” The door to the living room swings inward, revealing Chase, carrying a tray with empty cups and a plate of cookies in one hand and a steaming French press in the other. With her hair falling in loose fiery red waves around her shoulders, her skin more sun-kissed and freckly than normal, she’s so fucking beautiful that it makes my goddamn teeth ache. She sets everything down on the coffee table, glancing between me and her dad, wearing a smile that could illuminate the heavens. “What are you two talking about?” she asks brightly.
I have never shifted my attitude so fucking fast. “The Yankees,” I answer.
“The Mets,” Robert says.
A feigned look of concern replaces Chase’s grin. “Uh-oh. I hope you guys haven’t been arguing.”
“No way,” I tell her.
“We wouldnever,” her father lies.
AN INVITATION
From: PACIFIC NORTHWEST INSTITUTE OF MUSIC ([email protected])
To: DASHIELL LOVETT ([email protected])
Date: July 05, 5:31 PM
Subject: Seattle Summer Composition Conservatory
Dear Mr. Lovett
Greetings from the Pacific Northwest Institute. We hope that this email finds you well. We are reaching out to inform you that you have been shortlisted for our ‘Contemporary Music CompositionConservatory’next summer, here at our Seattle, Washington campus.
As you may know, the Pacific Northwest Institute of Music was founded by world-famous composer Tomlin Reminy in 1927 and has since had the distinct privilege of training some of the most accomplished international musicians of our age.
For nearly a century, our institute has practiced the time-honored tradition of actively seeking out talented individuals and inviting them to apply for our academic programs. In the past, between five and ten placements have been made available at our Seattle campus; however, onlyoneposition will be offered for this extraordinarily exclusive twelve-week training program.
We are proud to announce that the conservatory will be led by none other thanVictor Blancaward-winning composer Theodore Merchant, who will be joining us for one year only. In a truly unique offering, our placement recipient will work on a one-on-one basis with our conservatory master to fine-tune and hone their already impressive skills in the arena of musical composition.
As a musician of note, we are pleased to invite you to audition for this opportunity on Sunday, 12thof November, at 4:00 PM, here in Seattle. Should you wish to accept this invitation, please reply to this email no later than September 1stand confirm your intent to attend.
Kind Regards,
