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Andy and my sister, certainly. Collin and me. Barry. Losing sight of those friendships, forgetting to put the music first, we’d lost everything that really mattered.
I refocused on my niece. The past couldn’t be undone, but she had a chance to get it right.
“Friends, as I’m sure you’re aware, are a lifeline in Southside.”
She glanced around, and I noticed that Chad and Missy had abandoned their table and moved closer.
“I’ll let your mom fill you in on the more intimate details,” I said, because it wasn’t my place to divulge Rachel’s secrets. “There are a few involving her. Just know that though all the guys had a thing for her, she never was really interested in anyone until the day she met your dad.”
“Oh my.” Claire’s eyes rounded, as they should.
Rachel was gorgeous. She’d had her pick of guys then, and she could have them now too, but she’d only ever loved Daniel.
“Yeah.” I shook my head. “It was that kind of moment when they met. Rachel looked at Daniel like he hung the moon and made the stars shine. She shone around him like you do with Kyle, and like I did with Collin before our whole world went to hell.”
“What happened?” Claire asked in a whisper.
“Money poured in. Andy started doing drugs. Collin and Andy were best friends, but they began arguing about who was going to get credit for each song, instead of focusing on the music and friendship.” Frowning, I said, “I can’t believe your mom didn’t tell you any of this.”
“She didn’t. I still find it hard to believe my mom was in a band with your dad.” Claire turned to look at Kyle. He didn’t seem as surprised by all of this as she was.
“And don’t forget my dad,” Tommy said, then muttered, “Everyone forgets the drummer.”
“I can’t believe Barry the Beast had a kid.” I employed my acting skills, such as they were, to pretend I’d just now realized Barry was back in town and that I didn’t know about Tommy.
Tommy rubbed the back of his neck. “He just goes by Barry these days.”
“I’ll go by that title under certain circumstances,” Barry said, shifting closer to me.
I had no idea what that meant, but guessing it might be about sex made my heart race.
I gestured to myself. “Like if I let you in here.”
“Hell yeah,” Barry said.
“Right.” I scoffed. “As if you were ever interested in me.”Redirect!every instinct inside me yelled. “You’re such a pain in my ass.”
“I’m serious. Not joking around. But speaking of pain ...” Barry exhaled. “It pains me to leave, but I need to. I have a business to run.” He placed his hands on my shoulders, and I felt that touch everywhere. “Rain check on the drink?” He maderain checksound like a naked party for two where my participation was mandatory.
“Yeah, sure.” I nodded, but my legs trembled.
“Okay then.” Barry released me, but his fingers left trails of heat. “C’mon, Tommy.” He beckoned to his son.
“Right, Pop.” Tommy nodded, then gave Missy and Claire a long look. “It’ll be tough for me to fit in band practice andadditionalactivities, but I’ll rearrange stuff as needed.”
Claire’s expression brightened as if his emphasis on the wordadditionalmeant something to her.
“But you’ll make it work. Right, Tommy?” Claire narrowed her eyes on him. “Band practice, I mean. Can’t have a band without a drummer.”
“I’m totally down for a next-generation band.” Tommy lifted his chin to Claire, then glanced at his dad. “With us picking up where ABCR left off, it seems like one of those full-circle do-overs you believe in.” He grinned. “Only we’re gonna rock it way harder.”
Barry nodded. “I hope you do, son.”
I stared longingly at Barry as he and Tommy left Footit’s together. Side by side, they were like bookends, both tall and wide-shouldered.
Shaking my head free from my Barry-induced haze, I zeroed in on Kyle. “Get a practice schedule figured out.”
“We don’t have any songs.” He threw up his hands. “We haven’t even practiced for real yet.”
