Page 23 of Serenade Me

Chapter Seven

Anca

“You guys should do that song as a duet,” Cadence tells me, as we’re freshening up, getting ready to go out for her farewell dinner.

“Oh, um, no. I’m sure the songs they already have will work great. The ones you’ve been playing.”

“Come on. If you have ideas, don’t be afraid to tell them. They’ll resist at first, but I’ve been there. They’ve been playing as a band for 12 years. Hearing different opinion, and from a girl, can make them a little…” she makes a look that wouldn’t look out of place on Munch’s The Scream painting.”

“You… you suggested songs?”

“Hell, yeah. And you should too. If they like it, great. If they don’t, screw ‘em and play it anyway. Make them learn to like it,” she says matter-of-factly and I think I might be a little in love with her. She’s so confident and assured. No one would know she’s not the famous one in her relationship.

“Something tells me they would not appreciate this conversation.” Especially that buffoon, I think, before I bite my tongue, reminding myself that we’re on a truce.

“I bet they didn’t think they’d like monogamy either.” She gives me an exaggerated wink and wiggles her engagement ring at me. “Oh great, Emily’s here.” Cadence waves to a stunning, petite brunette who has just walked through the door with Brad. I remember Jez telling me that they’re recently engaged. “Come meet her, she’s the other Rock Chamber Boys permanent groupie.”

I watch as Cadence skips over to Emily and pulls her into a huge hug.

“Hey Ball!” Cadence yells.

“Hey Chain!” Emily replies and they give each other dramatic air kisses before dissolving into giggles.

“Anca! Come here!” I make my way over, a little intimidated by how striking Emily is. But as soon as I go over there she gives me a big smile.

“Hi Anca, it’s so nice to meet you! This is Ben,” she gestures to the little boy hugging Brad’s leg.

“Well, hello, Ben.” I kneel down and ruffle his hair. He stares at me for a moment, unblinking. I squirm a little, under his scrutiny. He’s so little but he has such an intense gaze. Then he breaks into a huge smile and asks, “What’s your favourite ice cream flavour?”

“O-oh. Um, I love anything that has chocolate chips in it.”

His eyes grow wide before he responds. “Me tooooo. It’s my absolute favorite.”

“Don’t listen to him,” Brad says, as I stand up. “He’ll eat anything if it’s got the words ‘ice cream’ in it.”

We all laugh and head down the hall way to Jez and Marius’ room where we’d agreed to meet up. After our discussion earlier, Marius and I came back and told everyone we’d sorted out our differences and that if the others agreed, he and I were ready to start rehearsals for the tour.

Jez didn’t seem as happy as I thought he’d be considering it was his idea in the first place, but hey, that’s Jez. If he always made sense he might not have even chosen the career he has, considering what we went through in our childhood. The thought instantly darkens my mood and I try to push the thoughts away, tuning back in to the conversation.

“What’s everyone discussing?” I whisper to Jez.

“We’re having the same argument we have every bloody night.”

“Where to go for dinner.” They all chime in, as if rehearsed.

I can’t help but laugh. They continue arguing for a few more minutes before I interject with an idea. “Ok, how ‘bout this. I’m going to pick a number between 1 and 50 and whoever chooses the closest number, gets to pick the restaurant.”

They all pick their numbers and I can’t help but inwardly giggle as I realize who’s won.

“And the number I picked was number 1! And the winner, who picked number 2 is…. BEN!”

“Hey, no fair, he only knows like 5 numbers, he had a smaller pool to choose from.” Marius pouts.

“So, Ben, where are we going?” I ask him.

He jumps up and down with excitement as he yells, “BEST. PLACE. EVER!!!”

***