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Chapter Five
Abel
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“House of Blues. I don’tknow, man. I’ve only played one show since I’ve been back. I’m not sure I’m ready for that.”
I shift my cell phone to my other ear just in time to hear Rob’s reply. “You’d really be helping me out. I’ve got a sold-out show booked and no opening act.”
I hesitate. Even if I did feel like I was up to it, I haven’t been back to House of Blues since the night I met Finley. It’s where we shared our first kiss. Where we laughed and danced and sang the night away. I don’t know if I’ll ever be ready to walk into that place again.
“I can double what we usually pay for the night. I’m that desperate.”
“Rob, I just...”
“Please just say yes.”
“I don’t think I can, man.” I pace around my living room still lined with boxes. I’ve been back in Chicago for nearly a week, yet the only things I’ve really unpacked are clothes, towels, and a few bedroom items. Everything else is still piled throughout my new apartment.
“Tell you what, you do this for me and not only will I double your pay, but you can drink for free the entire night.”
“It’s not about the money, or the booze.”
“Abel, you’re just coming back onto the scene. Don’t turn down an opportunity to put your name back in people’s mouths. It’ll help you gain momentum and you know it.”
He has a point. A very good point in fact. I mull it over. Every fiber of my being screamsnowhile the logical side of me knows I can’t refuse.
“Okay,” I cave.
“You’ll do it?”
“I will. But I’m not coming in until last sound check and I’m leaving as soon as my set is over.” There’s no way in hell I’m going to hang out there any longer than I absolutely have to.
“Sounds good. Be here by six. Set starts at seven-thirty. And thank you. I owe you one.”
“No problem. I’ll see you tonight.” I end the call before sinking back onto the couch I retrieved from storage yesterday.
To say I’ve been dragging my feet is the understatement of the year. I don’t know why I’m doing it. I don’t know why I don’t unpack and get it over with already. I’ve made the decision to stay so there’s no need to prolong it. I want to be here. I want to be close to my family, my friends, and Claire.
I look around the sparse space. It’s not as nice as my old apartment but it’s still one of the nicer complexes in the area and is only a couple blocks away from where I used to live so I’m familiar with my surroundings.
“Tomorrow,” I mutter to myself.
Tomorrow I will unpack and resettle. Tonight I have a show to play. And while I feel nauseous as hell about the thought of going back there, a part of me, a very small part, is a little excited. House of Blues is one of the best stages to play on. Not to mention the exposure.
It’s never been my goal to chase fame. I don’t want it, nor do I need it. But playing? That Idoneed. And playing at House of Blues ensures I can land other gigs around the city. While most people still know me frombefore, there have been a lot of changes. New management, new staff. Nearly every place I went to this past week was manned by someone I had never met. Walking into a place you’ve been to a hundred times before and feeling like a complete outsider. It’s weird.
I guess that’s what happens when you up and disappear for three years.
Letting out a deep sigh, I peel myself off the couch and head toward the bathroom. If I want any hope of getting there on time, I better get my ass in the shower and get a move on.
——
Everything is exactlyas I remember it. From the gold fixtures to the eclectic art, not one single thing has changed. I look around the room from my place on the stage. The crowd is electric tonight. Deafening. I pull and thrive on their energy.
I manage to make it through my forty-five-minute set without any hiccups. I won’t lie and say that I didn’t look out into the crowd several times and see Finley’s face on every single person looking back at me because I did. But I used it to push me, not hinder me.
I thought being here would be painful, but in reality, I feel closer to her tonight than I have in a very long time. Maybe that’s been my mistake all along. Running from the memories instead of embracing them.
