Ruined by You (21 page)

Then, he gave me even worst news. He said he was going to be away for the entire weekend. He said that he and Kyle had some business stuff to handle, but he would be back by Monday so we could go to the meeting together. I groaned, and accepted it. I didn’t have a choice. He promised that we’d figure everything out after the meeting on Monday. We’d be able to spend some time together, then.

I kissed him a final time, and said goodnight. The drive home breezed by. I couldn’t stop thinking about the way he had held me close, about the way he had felt when I was on top of him. It would be an endless torture until I was with him again.

When I got back to the house, Huck’s truck was sitting outside. He and Sarah were on the back patio talking, and the rest of the house was quiet. I wanted to share everything with her. I wanted to tell her every detail about what had happened - well,
almost
every detail - but I couldn’t bother her. I looked at them and saw the look on her face. Whatever they were talking about was important. They had a lot to figure out, and I wasn’t about to interrupt.

Sleep came quickly, and I dreamed about Haden. I didn’t dream about any one thing in particular, I just knew it was about him. I didn’t know where we were, or what we were doing, but it didn’t matter. All I knew was that I woke up with a smile on my face, and I felt like I was ready to take on the world.

Haden had a way of making me feel that way. Of making me feel like there wasn’t anything I couldn’t accomplish if I just put my mind to it.

Monday morning couldn’t come around fast enough. The weekend had crawled by. Sarah was away with Huck most of the time, and I never seemed able to catch my Mom or Grandma before they disappeared for the day.

I spent Saturday doing some driving around and window-shopping. The more I explored of Green Falls, the better I was able to understand why my family had never left. Then, after church, Sunday was spent lounging around the house. I was determined to get some more sun, but only lasted a few minutes before turning red. I couldn’t get Haden out of my mind the whole weekend. So when Sunday evening came around, I went to bed earlier than I had in a very long time.

* * * * *

On Monday, I woke up and sprinted to get myself ready for the day. When I left the house, I noticed that Mom and Grandma had already left. It was nothing new, and I think I would have been surprised if they were still around.

Thoughts about Grandma nagged at the back of my mind. I felt bad that I hadn’t been spending much time with her since we got to town, and promised myself that I would change that as soon as everything with Scottie was cleared up. Today was going to be the last day I worked for him, for better or worse. Either we were going to sign the band, or we weren’t. Either way, by Tuesday I would be looking for another job.

I got to the Saloon at eleven. Haden’s car was parked in its usual spot, and my heart began to jitter with anticipation. I wondered if he was sitting in his usual spot at the bar. He was probably in there talking to Scottie right that moment.

I hopped out of my car, but before I made it to the door, Haden burst out. My smile spread from ear to ear when I saw him.

“It’s so good to see you,” I said. I didn’t even notice how twisted his face was.

“I’m so sorry,” he said. “I couldn’t do anything about it, he insisted.”

I frowned. “What are you talking about?” I asked, but before I could even finish the question, I had my answer.

Kyle emerged from the bar only seconds after Haden. He had the same smug expression that he always wore, and he walked with an unusual amount of contempt.

“I’m ready for our little road trip,” he announced as he looked around, taking in the sunshine. “It’s going to be a good day.” He grinned at me. “Don’t
you
think?”

I glared at him, and then looked back at Haden. He shook away the questions I wanted to ask.

“Remember what I said,” he said, turning to Kyle. “You’re not allowed to do
any
talking. I don’t want anyone to even know that you’re there. You’re a ghost. You’re
less
than a ghost. You make ghosts look clumsy.”

“Thanks for the visual, boss,” Kyle said, each word dripping from his tongue.

“I’m
serious
, Kyle.” Haden’s voice sounded dangerous.

Kyle lifted a hand to his mouth and pretended to zip his lips shut.

“A shadow of a shadow,” he said. “Or, however it went…” He flicked a limp hand to the side.

Haden rolled his eyes, and turned back to me with a shake of his head. “I’m sorry about this,” he said, again.

“It’s fine,” I said. “I think I can handle acting like an adult for one day.”

He nodded. “Trust me, it’s not you I’m worried about.”

Haden suggested that he drive, since it was going to be three of us, and I was surprised when Kyle climbed into the backseat without a word. Sitting in the front, I could feel his eyes drilling into the back of my head. I didn’t know what had gone on between them, but it was obvious that Haden didn’t want Kyle around. But he was there, anyway, and he was going with us.

Haden pulled out of the parking lot, and we were soon on the highway. I kept quiet the whole way, not wanting to break the tension that was simmering in the car. The excitement of being with Haden was fading quickly, and I said a silent prayer that Kyle wouldn’t ruin everything. We were on thin ice with the band, already. All they needed was a healthy dose of Kyle’s antics to really make up their mind for them.

“You’re sure about this?” I asked Haden, breaking the silence.

He looked at me, and gave me a soft smile.

“You’re going to be fine,” he said.

I blew out a deep breath, and nodded.

“Just remember,” he said. “This time is different than the last. This time, they’ve invited us. They
want
to hear what we have to say.”

I nodded and tried to remain positive. His reassurance wasn’t working as much as it would have if Captain Beady Eyes wasn’t looming in the backseat.
 

We drove even further in silence. The tension kept growing, until I was ready to bust. I couldn’t take it anymore. I needed a distraction, anything. I bounced up in the seat, and spun around.

“So, Kyle, how are you liking Texas so far?” I asked.

He was slumped in the corner, with one foot perched up on the seat. He was chewing on his fingernails, absently. And, at first, he looked genuinely confused by my question. But the confusion quickly melted into his usual disdain.

His eyes returned to his fingernails for a second, then he waved his hand in a loose gesture.

“It’s alright, I guess,” he said, each word sounding like a personal favor to me.

“Is this your first time here?” I said.

He grinned at me for a long moment before he responded. Then, he nodded his head. “I plan on coming through here a lot,” he said.

“Oh?” I said. “Are you going to be doing a lot of traveling?”

“You could say that,” he said, returning to chewing his fingernails.

I blew out a heavy sigh. It was obvious he wasn’t going to make an effort, and the site of him was beginning to disgust me. I slumped back in the seat, even more frustrated than I had been, before.

“How about we listen to some music?” I said, reaching for the radio.

At least that would provide a little distraction. I settled myself into the seat, again, trying to make myself comfortable in the seat, and watched the lines on the road flowing by us.
 

A few songs played while we drove. No one said a word in the car, and I painstakingly counted down the mile markers to pass the time.

“You’ve heard it before, and you loved it. Coming up next is the smash new single, ‘Fallen’ by The Believers.”

My heart raced as I recognized the song Sarah and I had been singing. I sat bolt upright in the seat, ready to let myself get carried away, again. I hit a button, and the window started rolling down. I wanted to sing it to the world, just like she and I had done, together.

But, before the song even started, Haden clicked the radio off.

“Why’d you do that?” I said. “That’s a really good song.”

“Yeah, Haden. It’s a good song,” Kyle said from the back. His tone was patronizing.

Haden’s sat still, unflinching. “I just need some peace and quiet,” he said. He glanced at the rear-view mirror, and shot daggers into the back seat. Kyle must have taken the hint, because he didn’t say single word in response.

I slumped even deeper into my seat and rested my head on the door. I focused on the cars I saw in the window, and settled in for the longest drive of my life.

When we finally made it to the Warehouse in San Antonio, I was ready to bolt out of the car. The prospect of talking to the band was beginning to look nicer than spending another second cooped up with Haden and Kyle. The tension was palpable, and it was starting to stress me out.

The parking lot in front of the Warehouse was full, so we parked across the street at the hospital. A stiff breeze washed over us as we crossed the street.

“Don’t worry,” Haden said. “Everything’s going to be fine. You’re going to do great.”

I shrugged a shoulder. “I’m not convinced.”

“Just keep focused on why we’re here. And keep in mind that they
want
us here.”

“Got it,” I said. He’d only told me they wanted us there ten times.

Why the hell did Kyle have to come along? He was throwing everything completely off. I wondered if Haden would mind leaving him in the car? I almost suggested it, but we were already at the entrance door.

I blew out a deep breath, trying to steady myself. It wasn’t helping.

“What if they say no?” I said, quietly. “What if Stacey didn’t talk to them before she told us to come out here? What if everything blows up again?”

Every possible bad scenario ran through my head at the same time, and I didn’t think I could handle another explosion like the last one. It had taken every shred of my willpower just to agree to a second visit. I would be completely ruined if things didn’t work out.

Haden shook his head. “Stacey knows what she’s doing. She’ll handle them. Everything’s going to be fine.”

I could feel Kyle’s eyes on us.

“What makes you so sure about all of this?” I said. “How are you always so confident?”

Haden shot me a sideways smile.

“I believe in you,” he said, simply.

“Why don’t you two get a room already,” Kyle said, groaning.

Haden shot him a death stare. “
Invisible
,” he said. “Or you’re walking home.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Kyle said, in a hushed voice.

“OK,” I said. “Let’s do this.”

The door was unlocked, and the hallway beyond was dark again. No music echoed from within, this time. I took the lead as we walked down the hall. When we got to the end, I poked my head around the corner and peered into the rehearsal room. Instruments were scattered about, and I recognized the band standing in a circle near the front of the stage. Stacey stood off to the side, talking with another small group of people. I composed myself with a deep breath, and stepped into the room.

“Maggie,” Stacey said, her voice bright. “Please come in, we’ve been expecting you.”

I put on the biggest smile I had, and glanced over my shoulder to make sure that Haden was still there. He gave me a reassuring smile, and nodded me forward.

“Sorry if we’re late,” I said. “It’s a bit of a drive from Green Falls.”

She waved her hand. “You’re right on time.”

The band turned and saw us. They studied us for a second before leaning in and whispering amongst themselves. I spotted Seth, and felt the disgust dripping off of him. I shot him a smile, in an effort to keep the peace, but he turned away with a scowl.

So far, so good. Maybe if you play your cards right you’ll get them to say hi to you by the time you leave.

I tried hard to press down the doubt, and walked straight to Stacey.

“I wanted to introduce you to a few people,” Stacey said. “This is Jared Sinclair. He’s the band’s agent. And this is Marshall and Abby. They head up the band’s street team. You probably saw Marshall here last time.”

I recognized him. I spread my mouth in the widest smile I could manage.

“It’s nice to meet you all,” I said. “I’m Maggie.”

I reached out and shook each of their hands. Afterward, they all looked at Haden and Kyle, who stood near the doorway.

“Sorry, those are just a couple friends that tagged along,” I said. “I hope you don’t mind.” Stacey smiled at me and said it wasn’t a problem. “So, what does a street team do?” I asked, looking between Abby and Marshall. The two smiled at me, but Stacey jumped in to explain.

“They’ve been around since the band first started,” she said. “The street team is basically in charge of getting the word out about any shows. Between the two of them, Marshall and Abby, somehow, manage to blanket the city with fliers and posters.”

“We wouldn’t be anywhere without them,” a voice said from off to my left. I spun around and saw the band approaching us. The guy I recognized as the lead singer was in front.

“Name’s August,” he said, putting his hand out. I greeted him, and shook his hand. His hair was a huge pile of curls sitting on top of his head, and a thick headband pulled it back. He wore a faded gray button up shirt that had red and blue stripes running through it, and loose, khaki cargo pants to match.

I smiled. “That sounds like a lot of work,” I said.

He nodded. “It’s a thankless job, and we appreciate it to no end,” he said.

The rest of the band didn’t say anything. They stood in a small circle behind him. Seth glanced at Haden and Kyle, annoyance twisting his face.

“Speaking of which,” August continued. “We wanted to thank you for the coming down to listen to us again. We’re not used to scouts dropping by unannounced.”

“I’m not a scout,” I said, quickly. “I’m just trying to find a band to play a show.”

Awkward smiles rippled through everyone as they looked at each other, and Seth let out a chirp, but kept his eyes away from me.