22. Brian
It’s been a little over a month since Jessica watched my band perform. Since then, our Friday lunch dates have become an exciting routine that I look forward to. Lily sometimes joins us on minimum days, adding even more adventure to the day’s events. From visits to ice cream parlors, to strolls at the park, to cozy movie nights. Her adorable personality leaves me wrapped around her little fingers.
It”s Friday again today and Jessica will be waiting for me. As usual, we’ll go to Tony’s Café in town and claim our favorite spot, tucked away from the bustling crowd of Friday regulars.
I walk over to the mirror and examine my reflection. I’m dressed in black ripped jeans and a green tee shirt. The Casio watch on my left wrist fits perfectly, but my eyes drift to the Cartier on the table. Whether I switch one for the other doesn’t really matter. What’s important is Jessica.
She’ll most likely be wearing a flowy dress, her hair a lovely, tousled mess. But that’s not even the best part. The best part is seeing her sit across the table, a huge smile on her face, her eyes sparkling at my every word. And then, when she takes the first bite of her meal, the look of pure bliss that drapes over her face.
A chuckle escapes my lips. If I had to guess, delicious food and great wine are the keys to her happiness.
She’s stunning, she has always been—even when we had been at each other’s throats. How things have changed, huh? Maybe this is what Greg meant when he said I didn’t know what I was missing.
I walk down to the living room, past my drumsticks lying on the table. There’s a bouquet of pink and white roses on the table, too. The plan is to make us official. I’ll show up with gifts, roses, and sweet treats every day until I ask. I smile to myself.
Feeling a sense of completeness, I gather my things and make my way to the door. Just as I reach the doorway, a buzz stops me in my tracks. My phone, tucked into the corner of the couch, is ringing insistently, demanding my attention.
I walk over to check the caller ID—it’s an unknown caller. I answer the call anyway, switching to speakerphone.
“Hello?”
“Uh… uhm, Mr. Shepherd?”
“Speaking,” I hesitate. “And who is this?”
The voice asks again, “Am I speaking with Brian Shepherd from EBB?”
I’m getting irritated. Who in the world would be so confident to call me and not provide his name? I grit my teeth. “Look, if this is some prank. I—”
“It’s not a prank. My apologies, Mr. Shepherd. My name is Tim Halstead, I’m a recruiter for Radio City.”
I pause. Maybe I heard him incorrectly. “What did you just say?”
“My name is Tim—”
“I heard that part. Did you just say, Radio City?”
“Yes, Mr. Shepherd. Radio City.”
My anger vanishes immediately. Radio City is one of the biggest labels in New York. They’re known to have baked only the biggest stars in the past decade. But why on earth would they be calling me…out here…in this small town?
“Well, how can I help you?”
He chuckles. “I can tell from how you sound you haven’t picked your phone up this morning.”
My brows furrow. “What does that have to do with anything?”
“My bro. You and your team are on your way to being superstars!”
I sigh. It’s too early to be this confused. “What are you talking about exactly?”
He scoffs, certainly overjoyed with something. If only he would get on with it and tell me what’s going on.
“Videos of your show from a few weeks ago are blowing up the internet, my bro. And the little act you did with your missus there, that was an epic comeback snippet after your last amazing debut. We wanna sign you guys, my bro.”
Goldmine.
“Wait…seriously?” I take a mental step back. If this turns out to be some prank, I’ll be sure to find whoever is behind this and—
“Are you there, Mr. Shepherd?”
“Yeah, yeah. I’m here.”
This is it…everything. If this is true, it means relief, release, and moving forward. I could finally make peace with my guilt and sorrow.
I could fulfill my promise to Sonya. I could find a way to support Moe. And I could be with Jessica.
Laughing, Tim adds, “Well, yeah, my bro. You guys are stars, and stars are the only things Radio City is after. We sent an invitation to you and your band. It contains our pre-contract terms. But trust me, everything is negotiable.”
With this, I’m sure he won’t be the only one calling. But it isn’t just my luck. It’s the band’s as well. I can’t afford—
“Oh, and we’ll take care of relocation arrangements for you and your friends here in New York, fully paid. We’re here to support you guys with everything, bro. Let’s grow together.”
I pause. New York? Relocation? Then, suddenly, it hits me. How was I so slow? My jaw clenches.
“I’ll need some time to review it first, Mr. Halstead.”
“Of course, Mr. Shepherd. I’ll say take your time, but you know how showbiz is. You gotta strike while the iron is hot.”
“Thanks for the heads up. I’ll look through your mail and get back to you.”
I glance at the bouquet in my hand and the laptop in a corner of my room. The clock on the wall dings, reminding me that If I don’t leave now, I’ll be late for my date with Jessica.
Stepping outside, I shut the door behind me. Barely a minute later, I’m standing outside Jessica’s door clutching the bouquet with a soft smile. But before I can even knock twice, the door swings open.
Jessica steps out, looking more radiant than ever. Every single time I lay eyes on her, she looks even more beautiful than the last. The smile on her face is nothing short of magical.
She’s adorned in a yellow knee-length dress with a gold necklace. Simple, yet utterly breathtaking.
“Brian,” she coos, reaching for the bouquet. “You didn’t have to.”
“Didn’t have to?” I smirk. “You deserve a whole lot more.”
“That’s so sweet.”
I lean closer, gently placing a kiss to her lips. Her arms wrap around my shoulders as she melts into my warm embrace.
I nod toward the door. “Lily?”
“Gina’s with her in her room. She”s fine.” She lets go, nonetheless.
“Great. Ready for lunch?”
“Let me just drop these inside,” she says, holding the bouquet to her nose.
I wait by the door until she comes back outside with a swing in her step. I drive over to Tony’s Café with one hand on the steering wheel and the other entwined with Jessica’s.
“What if someone took our spot?” Jessica asks.
My stomach tingles with comfort every time she refers to us as an item. I lean over and kiss her on the cheek.
“What was that for?” she asks.
“For being you, Jess,” I say.
She looks away, blushing. “Sometimes, you make me forget that I’m a writer.”
“Really? How?”
“Well, you’re the one with the lines all the time,” she giggles.
It’s hard to keep my eyes on the road when she’s near me. I find myself constantly being distracted by her sun-kissed skin and mesmerizing blue eyes.
“What were you saying about Tony’s?” I ask.
“Oh, that. I was asking what will happen if someone takes our seat at Tony’s.”
“That’s not gonna happen. I always reserve it for the next Friday right after our date.”
“And if we don’t come next week?”
“Simple. I struck a deal with Tony. He gets to keep fifty percent.”
We soon arrive at Tony’s, the large neon sign in front welcoming us. I find a spot close to the entrance to park and open the door for Jessica. Once she’s out, she clings to my arm as we make our way inside.
Tony is still dealing with customers when we get inside. He nods at me from behind the counter before stroking his long dark hair.
There’s no one in our seat when we get there. Once we’re settled, Jessica drops her elbows on the table and leans in. “Ever wonder why Tony insists on staying behind the counter? He has waiters around here, you know.”
“Why do any of us do anything we do?”
“Because we have to.”
“Passion, Jess.” I shrug. “It’s the same reason I keep drumming even after—”
The rest of the words choke in my throat. I haven’t told her yet, but she has helped me heal. I no longer drum as an escape from the noise in my head. I now drum for my love of the craft.
“After what, Brian?”
I reach over and take her hands in mine. “After you helped me heal, Jess.”
“What do you mean?”
“You helped me heal, Jess. I ran away from the big city to hide from my problems. Little did I know, the universe has a way of placing what we need right in our paths.”
“You don’t know how happy that makes me,” she says. “I’m glad you showed up to South Brook.”
The words drip from her lips like they’re coated with honey.
Out of the blue, a waiter coughs, interrupting our intimate moment.
I frown. I can tell that Jessica is frustrated as well. She places her order hastily, trying her best to sound polite. While Jessica places her order, the call from Radio City comes to mind. I have to tell her.
As soon as the waiter leaves, we both start talking simultaneously.
“So, yesterday—”
“You won’t believe—”
I chuckle. “You go first.”
“Okay. So, I was working on this character for my next book, only to realize I was merely describing you to my readers.”
“Let’s back up a bit,” I chuckle. “This was a good guy character, right?”
“I dunno,” she laughs. “Are you a good guy character?”
“You bet I am.”
She sounds so happy. My heart flickers just hearing her laugh.
“What about you?” She asks. “What did you want to say?”
“I was uhm…” I sigh. There’s no need to ruin the moment. “I was about to say something about that waiter with perfect timing.”
We both laugh again. The conversation continues like fine wine, but I make no mention of the record deal. I know I have to tell her.
It just doesn’t have to be today.
***
The band is gathered in my living room.
“Radio City?” Greg’s eyes are larger than life.
“Yes.” My tone is stiff, but no one notices. I don’t blame them.
“Do you know what this is, guys?” Greg continues, his attention shifting to the rest of the band gathered around our coffee table, their eyes gleaming with mutual excitement.
“This is the big break we’ve been hoping for. This is years of hard work finally paying off. This is what we deserve.” He bursts into heartfelt chuckle, the tears in his eyes undeniable.
And soon, everyone else is crying.
My feet tap frantically under the table, and my lower lip slips between my teeth instinctively as I avert my gaze from them.
“So when would we be leaving?”
“In about a week.” My eyes remain tethered to Sonya’s picture on the wall across from me as I answer Georgie.
“That means we have to pack up again already…I should head home soon then,” Phil adds, although it sounds more like an introspection.
“I’m sure you must be glad you never got to finish unpacking.” Greg slaps my shoulder fondly.
Glad? I don’t even know what to feel. But while I still have yet to decide, confusion has taken the floor. My teeth, tired of working on my lips, chew into my cheek, as I try my best to remain calm.
“What’s wrong?”
Everything, Greg…every flipping thing.
My eyes close, and I shake my head. “It’s nothing.”
He scoots closer to whisper into my ear. “Is this about…Jess?”
My head snaps to him, my face almost slamming into his.
He nods his head. “I’m sure she’ll understand. Just talk to her.”
Perhaps he’s right. If I’ve learned anything about Jessica during my time here, it’s that she is reasonable. I just need the chance to explain, and we can work things out together.
“Oh my gosh, it’s all over the news!”
The entire band turns to the source of information. Sabrina looks up and shows us her phone.
I view the headline, my hopes of speaking with Jessica fizzling out.
Greg turns to me, now sharing my sullen look.
“Hey man, we need this. Remember that.”
Those simple words are all it takes to convince me I can’t afford to think about myself and what I want for a second, not when I have the dreams and aspirations of the people whom I’ve come to know as my family in my hands.
I’m leaving South Brook in a week, and nothing will change that. The sooner I make peace with that, the better.