After a few hours together, Sindy felt as if she had known Tessa all her life. They ended up downstairs in the studio, where they bonded, sharing stories about music and growing up feeling different from everyone else. Their backgrounds were vastly different, but in a way, exactly the same. Tessa didn’t blend in with her friends from high school and college, preferring to stay home and make music or tour with Immortal Angel during summer break. Most of the people in the neighborhood where Sindy grew up were into trouble, and she chose to disassociate herself with that lifestyle, which left her without any close friends. It was ironic that they found one another and forged a strong friendship.
Even more surprising was Tessa’s unpretentious values. She obviously loved beautiful things and had exquisite taste, but she cared more about things that mattered like family, and her loyalty to the band was steadfast. She played with greats like Lucas Blade and Mason Wilder, but it was obvious that she called the shots.
Sindy glanced at the time on her phone and knew she better get going. She had a late shift at the diner. When they exited the studio, loud music from outside made Sindy turn her head toward the back of the house.
“That’s Lucas,” Tessa explained. “Not even my dad plays Metallica that loud. Come on. I’ll show you the pool and let you watch while I give Lucas a hard time.”
Sindy chuckled. She wouldn’t miss this feisty girl give Lucas a tongue lashing for the world. She followed Tessa through two huge French doors that opened up to an oasis. Lush gardens, magnolia trees, rose bushes, an endless manicured lawn and stone walkways were all around her. That’s not what had her spellbound, though. It was the pool. “You have a guitar-shaped pool?”
“It’s ridiculous.” Tessa stated. “Lower that!” she shouted toward Lucas, with her hands cupped around her mouth.
Lucas pretended not to hear her by furrowing his brow, shaking his head and shrugging his shoulders, then turned back to his conversation with Mason, who was lounging in a chaise, his face up to the sun.
“I know you hear me! Turn it down before someone calls the cops! It’s too loud!”
Lucas kept talking to Mason, then turned to Tessa as if he just noticed her standing there still trying to talk to him. He motioned to his ear that he couldn’t hear her, which made Mason laugh.
It infuriated Tessa, and she let out a dramatic sigh.
Lucas reached behind his neck, pulled his T-shirt over his head, tossed it on the ground and dove into the pool. Sindy watched him swim with quick graceful strides, as comfortable in the water as he was behind the guitar. In seconds, he spanned the width of the pool and darted out of the water in front of them. His breath was labored from the 30-something foot sprint, causing his chest to broaden with each intake of air. Water droplets glided down his perfectly arced pecs. He flexed his arms and posed like a body builder, showing off his tanned muscles. Beautiful curves covered his shoulders and biceps. He turned and continued to flex, making his upper back grow wider. His wingspan tapered down to a slender “V” at his waist that held Sindy’s attention. Water dripped down his body and glistened in the sunlight, accentuating his golden tan and flaxen hair. The man was stunning, and it left Sindy breathless.
“No one cares.” Tessa shoved her brother, barely moving him.
Lucas spun around, pointed at Sindy and pinned her with an intense stare. “She does. She cares. Look at the way she’s watching me.”
Sindy scoffed at his egotistical, self-centered bullshit, and he laughed at her. He actually had the nerve to laugh in her face. Before she had a chance to tell him he was a jerk, he dove into the pool and swam to the other side to rejoin Mason.
Sindy snorted. “Is your brother always such an asshole?”
Tessa let out a booming laugh. “That’s what I like about you, Sindy. Most girls fall at my brother’s feet. He dated a million girls when he was in college, and they’re all the same. They all laugh at his stupid jokes. Throw their boobs in his face. Buy him drinks. Not you. You speak your mind. You never give in just because the great Lucas Blade wants to spend an hour talking about eighth notes. You tell him to move on, wrap it up and just play the damn music. I love that you challenge him.”
Lucas Blade was probably every woman’s dream. He was young, good looking, smart, talented beyond belief. And he knew it. But it was the way he constantly flooded her head with his structured music lessons that irritated her the most. “He drives me crazy sometimes with his damn lesson plans.”
Tessa let out a deep breath. “I know Lucas gets carried away. He’s even more passionate about music than I am. I know it can be overwhelming. Try not to get upset. I know he can be a pain, but he’s also sweet. And generous. And protective. And that’s not just a younger sister idolizing her big brother. He’s a great person. He loves to help people. Just give him a chance.”
Sindy nodded. Above all, she valued Tessa’s opinion and her integrity. Tessa wasn’t an entitled rich kid. She was sweet and honest, humble and appreciative. Tessa never had to work a day in her life, yet she was educated and worked hard. Now that she thought about it, Lucas was the same way. Maybe she was wrong about him. Guilt for not being more cooperative made Sindy’s heart sink. She shouldn’t be giving Lucas a hard time by fighting the process in which he taught. But she wasn’t as smart as him, and his theology was over her head. It seemed unimportant and a waste of time, and learning to read music was like learning another language. Still, Lucas didn’t have to go to the lengths he did. He was trying to help her, even if he was annoying. Feeling ungrateful, she let out a deep breath and vowed to be more cooperative.
