“No, it’s great. I’m having the time of my life,” he said flatly.
“You sounded incredible,” I said to her, desperate to lift some of the tension.
“It’s true,” Leo added. “Did it feel better?” he asked.
“Yeah. That was fun.” She glanced at me, guarded like I was about to say something else. “But better to stay focused on the audition.”
I was about to tell her playing for fun was just as important as her audition, but Leo spoke first.
“We should probably get you home. It’s later than I thought,” he said, already shuffling back to the door.
“Actually, Ruby is coming to get me. I picked up a late shift tonight,” Cath explained.
“You don’t have to leave on my account,” a voice said from behind me. Leo stiffened at my side.
We turned in tandem to the newcomer. Cath had already been facing him, but her eyes widened, and she stopped blinking.
“I just forgot my phone here from earlier,” Vander added.
When none of us spoke, Vander extended a hand to Cath. “Hi, I’m Vander. You sounded great in there. Tell me you’re the new drummer?”
Cath’s jaw fell. “No. I’m Cath. I am drumming, a drummer. I play the drums.”
“I saw that. And well.” Vander gave a wide, charming smile. He’d always been the lead guitarist and vocalist in The Burnouts, and that energy was apparent in every quirk of his features and body movement. It was like he performed a character even now.
“Thank you. I’m a huge fan. I saw you three times on theVagabondtour.”
“Awesome. Love meeting the next gen of talent.”
“I’m Mari Mitchell. I’m Cath’s teacher down at Green Valley High.” Iextended my hand, and he shook it warmly. So far, he seemed nice enough. I pulled my claws in slightly.
Leo seemed to be stuck on what Cath had said. He had never looked so betrayed and shocked. “You said you’d never heard of The Burnouts,” he said to her and then seemed to regret it.
“No, I didn’t. You never actually asked me,” Cath said with a sweet smile up at him. “You assumed, and you know what they say about assuming...”
Leo’s jaw flexed, and his eyes narrowed. I was equal parts amused and worried by this interaction. It must have never come up that she idolized him. Probably because I was worried about it influencing how he treated her. But that was before I knew who he really was. And right now, he was on an uneven playing field and could use a hint of an ego boost.
“Cath is a huge fan of Leo’s,” I said to Vander. Then, to Leo, I said, “She has your poster on her wall. It’s part of the reason we thought to reach out to you,” I said.
Now, it was her turn to seem betrayed. Well, two could play at that game, missy.
“Very uncool, Miss M,” she mumbled.
Leo, for his part, was slightly mollified but was still looking at Cath like she might change shapes at any moment.
I shrugged. “I didn’t know it was a secret. I thought Leo knew you were one of his biggest fans. He’s so incredibly talented. Nobody could blame you.” Maybe I laid it on a little thick, so sue me.
Leo and Cath both looked at me in various stages of shock but refused to look at each other. Vander chuckled quietly and looked at the floor.
“Well, this has been super weird. My ride is here. Bye.” Cath smiled shyly again to Vander. “Nice meeting you.”
He waved goodbye, and the three of us stood there for what felt like roughly three years of heavy silence.
“So Green Valley High, huh?” Vander asked me. His gaze moved to Leo for a flash, but Leo was pointedly looking anywhere but at his former bandmate.
“Yep, I teach band. All the bands.”
“Oh, you’re who took over from Janice? Is that evil crossing guard still there? Christ, she hated me.”
