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When Tommy counted us off, there was an awkward false start, so we stopped and this time, we all made eye contact before Tommy hit the bass drum.
“One-two-three-four!”
Then it was like something clicked.
I could suddenly sense the rhythm, who was doing what, and exactly how I fit in with them. Like we’d played together before or something. Within seconds we found our groove and I allowed myself to get lost in the moment. I forgot it was an audition. Or that this was Onyx Knight. Or anything except the music. Because this felt natural. It had been years since I’d played in a band, and there was something magical when you found your groove as a unit. When you were in sync and the music flowed.
Time almost stood still as we played, one song after the other.
I lost track of time, my body moving effortlessly from one side of the small stage to the other. When Kellan backed up against me, the backs of our heads touched as we played, a feeling of camaraderie washing over me.
This could work, I thought to myself.
Holy shit, this might actually work!
It was a heady feeling because I’d thought I would never play in another band, much less this one. And while I could pretend I didn’t care if I got the gig, my heart said something different.
I wanted this gig more than I’d ever wanted anything.
And that scared the crap out of me.
As the last notes faded away, it took me a second to recognize that we were done. And they were staring at me curiously.
I reached for a towel to wipe the sweat from my brow, wishing I knew what to say.
It was probably better not to let them see how incredible that had been or how much I wanted to play some more. All day. Forever. How ever long I keep hanging on to this incredible feeling.
This had been a dream-come-true, even if they didn’t offer me the gig.
How many musicians got to play with their musical idols?
Not that many.
And now I had.
“Thanks for your time,” Kingston said abruptly. “You’re an amazing bass player. We’re going to narrow it down to two and have you guys come back one more time.”
“Does that mean I’m one of the two?” I asked before I could stop myself.
The four of them hesitated but then Kingston nodded. “Yeah. You definitely are.”
“Thank you.” I was so shocked I couldn’t come up with anything else to say.
“You really rocked,” Tommy said, nodding at me. “I’m looking forward to hearing you play again.”
“Uh, cool. Thanks.” I started packing up my things, the adrenaline leaving my body in a rush that was far more abrupt than it had come on.
“So, you’re not in a band?” Kingston asked, pausing next to me as I packed up.
“No. I do session work.”
“Is there a reason? You have a fantastic stage presence.”
I glanced up. “Having a steady paycheck by working at the studio pays the bills. I’m not nineteen anymore, you know? My days as a starving artist are behind me.”
He nodded. “Understood.”
“Would you be available for a six-to-eight-week tour if we decide to offer you the gig?”
