Cade nodded. Zoey couldn’t believe her ears. The drummer was playing circles around his bandmates on stage. He was completely showing off by playing a complicated jazz groove, then adding in extra fills on top of that. Every so often he’d hit the double bass pedal, something she had never heard during Pay For Play, and theboom boomwould fill the air. Even with all of this showboating, he keptperfecttime.
“This guy is the real deal, Zoey,” Cade said. “His name is Jude Morrison. I’ve been trying to get him to join my band for a few weeks now, but he's faithful to his band. He says they moved out here together, they’ll make it big together.” Cade shook his head. “Idiot.”
“Don’t you already have a drummer?” Zoeyasked.
“Not like him. No one has a drummer like him. You have no idea how in demand he is, but he won'thearit.”
Zoey needed to get a closer look. Where had she been all this time that a truly talented guy was able to show up and she didn’t even know about it? That just wasn’t like her, she knew all the bands and everything going on with them. Stepping closer, she realized Cade had the perfect line of sight to watch him play, so she stepped in front of thetallman.
As she looked at the drum throne, it hit her that she was in the presence of a future Rock God. His shoulder-length brown hair swayed with each hit of his drumsticks. Wearing a pair of shorts and a sleeveless t-shirt, she watched his glistening muscles work. He had a gift of making his drums sing and become much more than just a timekeeping device. And it didn't hurt that he was nice to look at.Verynice to look at. How did shemisshim?
As the song wound down, the crowd gave their obligatory applause and the stage lights went on. Zoey watched as Jude started unpacking his cymbals from thehousekit.
"Wish me luck, I’m going to make him an offer he can't refuse," Cade said as he stepped around Zoey and walked towards thedrummer.
She was glued to the spot. Unable to take her eyes off Jude or even walk away, she watched as Cade spoke and Jude shook his head. She wondered if Jude knew the opportunity he was passing up. He had to know how bad hisbandwas.
"Daaammn!" Megan said as she leaned in to get a better look at Jude. "That's a hottie and a half! And you know what they say about drummers,right?"
"They can keep it up all night long," Zoey said, giggling. "Who came upwiththat?"
"Probably a very satisfied groupie," Megan said, grinning. "I'd be willing to test that theory out with him. Unless you've already got your eyeonhim?"
Without realizing it, still unable to take her eyes off him, Zoey nodded. She didn't know if anything would ever happen between the two of them, but if she saw him with Megan, she knew it wouldkillher.
"I've got dibs," Zoey said as she watched a petite brunette climb on stage and head straighttowardsJude.
