Page 69 of House of Clouds


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Zig snorted. “So make it like their style. You’ve done it before.”

Ethan sighed. “Yeah, I suppose.” He grimaced. “Anyway, it’s not my song, it’s yours, Kate. You should have it. It’s about your artwork, anyway.”

Kate shook her head. “No, it’s yours. You were the one who saw ‘The House of Clouds’ in the view. If you hadn’t called me and told me to come look at it, I never would have seen it, let alone made it into the artwork. You understood what that view could mean.”

Ethan shrugged. “A collaboration, then.”

She nodded. “A collaboration. But feel free to leave me out of the official credit if you do decide to use it.”

“Why?” he asked curiously.

She gave a shudder. “I don’t want any of that kind of attention. You say this band you write for is popular? Well, no thank you. I don’t do well in the limelight now.”

She’d tried to keep her tone lighthearted, joking, but it must have fallen short, because Ethan gave her a pained look and turned his head away. Zig eyed him, frowning.

“Sorry,” said Ethan. “It wouldn’t be a big thing, anyway. No one takes notice of the songwriters, anyway, trust me. Except maybe those who are really into knowing the full story, or collect LPs and actually read the liner notes.”

Zig laughed and Ethan gave him a dark look. Zig shrugged. “Hey, I know all the songwriters on the albums I have.”

Ethan pointed at him. “You’re not normal.”

“Neither are you,” said Zig.

He indicated the collection on the other side of the sofa. Kate glanced at it, trying to see what albums and CDs Ethan had. She gave a soft smile, immediately recognizing a few of the spines of her father’s band.

“I’m a songwriter,” said Ethan. “Of course I look for other songwriters. Kate probably does too. That kind of thing always stays with you.”

He looked at her expectantly and Zig fixed his gaze on her too, waiting for her denial. She grimaced. “Yes, I do. Can’t help it, given my background.”

Ethan just gave Zig a smug smile, his proof confirmed.

“But that just proves my point that a lot of people know who the songwriters are. Especially if it’s their favorite band.” He widened his eyes, trying to emphasize his words.

“It still doesn’t make them famous,” said Ethan, his voice firm.

Zig just shook his head. “You wish,” he muttered.

Thirty-One

The bar was quiet, except for Ethan’s rich tones threading through the room. There was a large crowd there tonight, not even standing space available, let alone a vacant table. Word had obviously spread that this night at O’Connor’s was the place to be to hear good music. Kate felt pride swell inside her at the thought and tamped it down as soon as it rose. But still, it was hard not to be at least pleased for him. He was so talented, and she could listen to him all day. She laughed inwardly at her fan girl thoughts. But then she’d been a fan girl all those years ago too.

She steered her thoughts away from that direction and caught Tom lifting his beer glass to his lips, his eyes narrowed thoughtfully as he stared ahead to the stage. It wasn’t the first time she wondered what he was thinking. She wasn’t certain, but she didn’t think it had anything to do with Ethan’s performance. In fact, she wondered if Tom had heard anything of Ethan’s performance though the first set was winding down. She sighed. She’d been so wrapped up with Ethan’s singing and playing, she’d really only registered his absentmindedness subconsciously. Something was wrong, and she had an inkling what it might be, beyond the obvious emotion they both shared. Grief. Her own came on her often enough, and not always at convenient or expected times.

A giggle and bout of whispering caught her attention. She glanced across the table where Zig and his new girlfriend, Tracy, sat. She was leaning against Zig, her phone out, taking a selfie. A minute later she turned it around and took a shot of Ethan up on stage, though Kate was certain there must be at least some part of Tom’s head in it as well. Kate had to stop herself from frowning at Tracy. Tracy’s youth was something Kate had noted when Zig had first introduced them tonight, just before the gig started. Ethan had already been onstage and hadn’t been able to do anything more than wave over at Zig and Tracy. She could see what had attracted Zig, though. She was pretty enough in her jeans, Doc Martens, braided blonde hair, and long lashes that were visible from yards away. Tracy was also smart, and with her interest in gaming and music she was an irresistible package to Zig. Tracy had already taken several photographs of everyone and everything, posting them on Instagram and wherever else that was on trend. Zig had stopped her from taking videos, saying it wasn’t cool. “Young” was the descriptor that threaded through Kate’s mind and words like “sweet,” “naive,” also trailed behind.

She wondered briefly if Tracy was in a sorority, having no idea at this point what would be considered good sorority material now, especially since she’d never been in one. Tracy had the look, but she wasn’t sporting a tale tell T-shirt or any other signifier.

Kate turned her attention back to Ethan in an almost deliberate move, hoping it might send a subtle message to Tracy. Zig didn’t seem to be able to manage her or at least notice her lack of manners, his face showing an indulgent smile as he listened to her continue to whisper. This time Kate did roll her eyes. Tom leaned toward her and nudged her with his shoulder. A silent communication. She turned and grinned at him.

Fortunately, or not, Ethan took a break after that song, and Kate was saved from giving dagger eyes to either Tracy for her rudeness or Zig for bringing her. A moment later she was chastising herself. This was a bar and restaurant. They hadn’t paid tickets. Not everyone felt the same about music and performers. And especially not this performer.

Ethan startled her out of her musings by leaning down and kissing her on the cheek, the fedora still perched on his head, glasses on, murmuring his thanks that she’d come. He did a quick clap on the back to Tom, uttered a brief thanks for coming, nodded quickly to Zig, but then turned his eyes back to Kate.

“I can’t stay long. I have to talk to Pete about next week, but I wanted to ask…request…something of you first.”

Kate gave a puzzled chuckle, conscious of Zig and Tracy behind her, staring. “Sure, what?”

He gave her a hopeful, tentative look. “Play a song with me in the next set?”

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