I gasped. “Wow, they’re beautiful.”
Tiny dust motes danced in the stream of light provided by the overhead lights directed onto the drum kit. I half expected a harp to start playing heavenly notes.
“This makes much more sense than the ideas my brain was coming up with. Wait! Are these for Cath to borrow?” I asked as I grabbed his arm excitedly.
He rubbed the back of his neck. “I thought . . . since they’re just sitting there . . . Cath could use them.”
I shook his arm. I couldn’t contain the joy bubbling out of me. Leo half grinned as his top half wobbled back and forth. Cath was going to be so happy. Playing on a kit like this would only help her skills.
“The only thing is,” he said, “I don’t want them at the school. Not to be a dick, but I really only want her to play them. And it wouldn’t be fair to the other kids. That’s why I wanted to check with you before I suggested it.” He swallowed with difficulty, waiting for my reaction.
“Leo. This is incredible.” I held his gaze and poured my sincerity into it. “Thank you. Are you sure? This set has to be worth...” I literally had no idea. “These look very fancy.”
There was no doubt in my mind this set cost more than my used Toyota.
“Uh, yeah. I’m not worried about Cath using them. She’ll respect them.”
She absolutely would. Another bubbling of joy fizzled through me. I wanted to wrap my arms around Leo. Not only did he have this amazing set, but...
“So that means you’re going to help?” I asked with stars twinkling in my eyes.
He shrugged and looked at the ground. “I’ll do my best. I figure, we probably can’t practice here. Because of various complications of a student and non-faculty,” he said. “I’ll ask Devlin if we could use his place, but it’s a bit of a drive.”
I balled my fists to keep from attacking him with a hug.
“That’s a good idea. Though lessons with you aren’t on school time, so it’s no different than if she were getting private lessons from anybody in town. But I agree, better safe than sorry.” I appreciated that he was aware that his quasi-celebrity didn’t automatically mean the school board would approve. “I’ll ask Ben Huntsford too.”
He gave a look like he wasn’t sure who that was.
“He owns Big Ben’s Dulcimer shop. He lets out a room for practice.”
“Oh, right.” He looked at his feet. He really didn’t seem to love the idea of involving any other people in this arrangement. Ben was okay, but I would have to make sure he didn’t make a scene like he had when Sienna Diaz turned up at the Front Porch with Jethro Winston.
“The biggest issue will be moving them. It would be best to have one spot and keep them locked up,” I added.
He tugged at his curls. “I’ll be honest, anywhere would be better than the high school. I would prefer to never step foot in that place again.”
I frowned at him. I doubted this was about signatures or being recognized. Or at least not in the way I had imagined he’d been worried. This was something else. He looked like he was about to crawl out of his skin when we were at the school, and talking about it now put a crease in his brow.
Leo was shy, and that was a startling realization to have about the former rock star. I reviewed all our interactions through this new lens, finding it made a lot more sense than my preconceived notions. He wouldn’t be the only one having a conversation with Devlin.
“Don’t worry. I’ll figure something out,” I said, adding it to my mental to-do list. “I really appreciate this, Leo. I cannot tell you how much this means to me. What it will mean to Cath.”
Leo looked at the concrete floor. “We better pack these up.”
I nodded hesitantly. I wanted to ask why they were set up to play if the dust cover was on them. He stepped forward.
“Will you play for me?” I asked before I meant to or realized what I was saying.
His shoulders went to his ears. “Nah.”
When he didn’t elaborate, I cleared my throat. “Sorry?—”
“You can try them if you want.” His hands were back in his pockets.
“Really? I’m not very good. Think Meg from The White Stripes but even worse.”
He chuckled. “Now I have to hear you.”
