Page 41 of Ravaged From Fate

“I’ll even buy you a drink. Call this revenge for making me get into that boxing ring today and joking about being hurt like that.”

Man, I really want to see him play. Plus, it’s kinda fun putting him on the spot like this.

Caspian takes in a long breath. “Okay,” he says.

“Really?” I ask.

“Yes, I’ll do it. Only for you to stop harassing me.”

I practically jump up and down in giddy excitement. “This is going to be good.”

Liam nods. “Let me run through things with you, Caspian. Get you up to speed with our music.”

“I’ll leave you boys to it,” I say before heading over to the bar to get another drink.

* * *

Caspian is amazing on the drums.

Like really freaking amazing. It’s kinda scary how good he is and how blown away I am by his ability. I’m in shock as I stand there in the bar and watch him play. I mean, everyone in the place is watching him.

Who knew you can get so mesmerized by someone playing the drums? It’s not the coolest or flashiest of instruments. Aren’t people meant to be obsessed with the lead singer? I’ve always thought it was only the music nerds who really cared about particular drummers.

But here I am, intently watching Caspian play. I spend ages just studying his hands as he effortlessly performs on the kit. He’s a pro. I thought he’d be okay at this, seeing as he’s done it since being a kid, but the man is really goddamn amazing.

He truly outshines the actual band people have come here to see.

Holy crap.

Liam introduced him before they started the set, telling the crowd that Caspian was going to be a temporary replacement tonight and to go easy on him. Caspian merely nodded at that with his usual stoniness.

But Liam didn’t need to warn the crowd.

Caspian is just…

I drink the rest of my wine and stare at the amateur boxer-slash-drummer in wonderment as the band plays. Even the other musicians on the makeshift stage turn to look at him in amazement.

In the middle of one song, he looks up from the drum kit and stares at me. Only me. My heartbeat jumps. There’s a slight devious smile on his face before he’s back to smashing impressively away at the kit.

“Who is that guy?” a girl I went to high school with asks me. “He’s so good.”

“Yeah, he’s incredible,” her boyfriend chips in.

“That’s Caspian,” I say.

“The new guy in town? No one told me he’s a drummer.”

“Yeah, me neither.”

“He should be in a band or something.”

“He’s so good.”

True to my word, I buy Caspian a drink once the performance is over. Sam at the bar gives me the eyebrow as I order.

“He’s pretty amazing,” he tells me. “You two an item?”

“Shut up and pour me the beer,” I say to the boy I first kissed.