11. Mari
Leo was stone silent and still as I drove us to his mom’s house. He wouldn’t tell me his big idea, saying he’d rather I saw it first. It was agreed that the practice wasn’t going to happen today, after all, despite my best efforts. Cath got a ride to work at Pizza Hut early, ever eager to pick up some extra cash. She’d been hard to read as she walked away, and I wasn’t sure if she was relieved or disappointed with the turn of events.
I tugged the pencil free and let my hair loose. I had so much residual tension in my body from this day, I felt like I could snap. There was so much to do, and nothing felt like it was going right.
I tried not to feel defeated as the rain outside matched my mood: stormy and melodramatic. Some days, it felt like the world conspired against me. I wanted Cath to have everything she could possibly need to set her up for success, but if her and Leo’s first interactions were any indication of what was to come, the months until her audition in late February were going to be an uphill battle.
Leo seemed to be faring no better to my right. He hadn’t even made a snarky comment when I had to move stacks of paper, sheet music, and several travel mugs from the passenger seat. I’d managed to shove the bra into my gym bag of extra performance clothes I kept in the car just in case before he saw. He spotted my copy of the signed NDA at the top of the stack, and he frowned.
“I emailed it in. It’s just my copy.” I didn’t want him to think I didn’t take his privacy seriously.
“No. I know.” His thumb tapped repeatedly against his knee.
“Are you okay?”
“Just wondering why you’re so sure I can help Cath,” he said.
He glanced at me with such vulnerability I was hit with a wave of compassion. I gripped the steering wheel tighter. Janice had suggested the idea, Devlin had the same, and Cath was totally on board, even if she was hard to read through her teenage angst. It would be incredibly shortsighted if I let my own biases get in the way.
“Why not you? Green Valley isn’t overrun with proficient drummers,” I said simply.
“And what if I don’t help?”
“She’s good enough to get in. I just want her to have perspective.”
“What does that mean?” he asked.
“She’s so focused on being perfect. I can’t explain it, but my gut says you will help.” Cath was so focused on technical perfection that I wasn’t sure she even enjoyed playing anymore. Hopefully, Leo would keep her in touch with the joy of drumming as only another drummer could.
I didn’t want him to feel pressure and risk him scurrying back into hiding. Whatever he wanted to show me was related to Cath. I thought Leo was a shallow, easy-to-read guy, but the man had depth, and I wished I could hear his thoughts.
Leo was silent until we pulled up to his driveway. Rain crashed in unrelenting waves against the windshield. “You can just park in front of the garage. We might have to move your car before my mom gets back.”
I nodded and did as directed. I shot a glare at Pin Dick’s house as I put the car into park. I couldn’t even let myself think about that interaction because of how angry it made me. But guys like him only ever wanted a reaction, and he wouldn’t get that from me. A towering pine shared the property line next to the driveway and caused a pause in the relentless splatter of rain. Only the occasional drop plopped loudly onto the windshield now.
“Should we make a run for it?” I asked.
He hadn’t yet unbuckled, still seeming distracted and bothered.
“Is he always like that?” Leo asked.
I assumed he meant the principal. “Pretty much.”
“How do you handle it? How does he get away with it?”
“Guys like that manage to always come up on top.” I glared at his house, an average ranch style that looked perfectly normal from the outside, with no sign that an absolute jerk lived inside. “I believe the only thing I can do is prosper despite them. When Cath plays Carnegie Hall or whatever makes her happy, I will be more than happy to rub that in his face. So maybe I am a little spiteful.”
He looked at me closely, swallowing as his gaze roamed over my features. Did my eye makeup smear? Or was that look something else...
“I hate bullies,” he said.
“Me too.”
He nodded once. “Okay. Let’s go in. We can run to the side door and into the kitchen.”
He counted to three, and we sprinted to the side of the house. We were breathless and laughing by the time we slid to a stop to close the door behind us. Leo shook his curls out like a dog, and I held up my hands to block the spray.
When he looked up, his gaze moved behind me. His eyes widened in happy surprise. “Oh, hey, Janice.”
Leo’s mom blinked in surprise from where she’d been filling a cup of water at the sink.
“Hi, Mari. Leo,” she said and covered her shock with a friendly smile. “I thought you were gonna call when you wanted to get picked up?” She wore a silk robe, which she tugged closed, hiding a flushed chest.
“Change of plans. You weren’t kidding. That new principal is a real piece of work.”
“I’ve heard.” Janice frowned. “I’m glad I never had to work with him. Though his predecessor wasn’t any better.”
“Weren’t you going out?” Leo asked.
I looked at Leo as the tension in the room grew. Did he not see her flushed cheeks? Or the way she kept glancing to the stairs that led to the second floor?
He tilted his head. “Why are you wearing a robe?”
Captain Oblivious.
“I love a rainstorm bath,” I said quickly. “Nothing better than hearing the rain fall as you soak.”
Janice nodded gratefully at me. “Yes, dear. I suddenly didn’t feel well and thought I’d come home and take a bath.”
“Oh no,” he said, genuinely buying the excuse. “Can I make you anything? Soup? Tea?”
“No. No. I’m fine.” He pressed the backs of his fingers to her forehead as she protested. “Oh, stop I’m fine.”
“You do seem warm.” Leo spoke in an attempt at stern. “You go take it easy. We won’t be long.”
“Leo just wanted to show me...” I trailed off because I didn’t know.
“Beatrice and the kids,” Leo provided.
Janice’s eyebrows shot up. I was more confused than ever. Did he have a secret family? A pet cat that had kittens?
“You’ll be going to the basement, then?” Janice asked.
And . . . my confusion grew.
“Yes, but we will be quiet. Don’t you worry.”
“Wha—” I lifted a finger as though to ask a question but nothing came out.
“Oh, pishposh.” She waved him away. “Take your time.”
“We will,” I said. Even if I had no idea what was going on, I could help Janice by getting Leo downstairs quickly. “Enjoy your bath.”
I sent her a final smile before I followed Leo to a door off the kitchen and she made her way to the stairs going up.
Leo flicked a light switch that illuminated a set of old wooden stairs heading into the basement. “Watch your step. These are steep and have no handrail.”
I followed him closely as we descended, my eyes adjusting to the mostly dark area as I pondered what had just transpired upstairs. Janice had been single as long as I had known her, or at least incredibly private.
“Do you think your mom will ever date again?” I asked gently.
“Janice?” He laughed. “No. No. I don’t think so. Janice was never a big believer in relationships.”
I rolled my eyes behind his back. Men were so oblivious sometimes.
“Though I definitely think she’s hooking up with someone now,” he added.
The surprise of his comment caused me to misjudge the last step. He turned in time to catch me before I face-planted. I was in his arms, and the height of the step put me at eye level with him for once. His dark eyes moved over my face. We were so close and that heat was back. He smelled good, even wet from the rain. Masculine and fresh and a hint of sweaty.
I found my footing, and he gently set me back on the ground. “Thanks,” I said. “I wasn’t sure if you had any thoughts on all that.” I pointed at the first floor.
“She wasn’t exactly subtle up there, was she?” he asked.
I sucked in my lips. “You may want to start knocking before you come home,” I said. He wasn’t as clueless as I’d thought. Leo continued to defy my expectations of him.
He huffed a laugh but also squished his face up in a wince. “She clearly isn’t ready to talk about whoever is upstairs, and quite frankly, I’m not sure I want to hear it. I don’t know if that makes me immature, but there it is.” He tugged at his damp curls, which had begun to fluff out. “As long as she’s happy.” He sighed. “I guess there can be complications with having your mom as your best friend.”
I couldn’t help the little tug on my heart. That was so damn sweet. And only a tiny bit weird. “I’m sure she’ll tell you when she’s ready.”
“Mama’s boy struggles,” he teased himself and then added, “Good album name.”
I snorted. I loved commitment to a bit.
He nodded, holding my gaze for another second. “Well, anyway.” He gestured to a massive black shadow in the corner and said, “There’s Beatrice and the kids.”
“Is she a grill?”
He chuckled. “Not quite.” He went over to the dark shape, flicking another light on the way.
The metallic sizzle of cymbals filled the room as he whipped off a dusty sheet.
I gasped. “Wow, they’re beautiful.”
Tiny dust motes danced in the stream of light provided by the overhead lights directed onto the drum kit. I half expected a harp to start playing heavenly notes.
“This makes much more sense than the ideas my brain was coming up with. Wait! Are these for Cath to borrow?” I asked as I grabbed his arm excitedly.
He rubbed the back of his neck. “I thought . . . since they’re just sitting there . . . Cath could use them.”
I shook his arm. I couldn’t contain the joy bubbling out of me. Leo half grinned as his top half wobbled back and forth. Cath was going to be so happy. Playing on a kit like this would only help her skills.
“The only thing is,” he said, “I don’t want them at the school. Not to be a dick, but I really only want her to play them. And it wouldn’t be fair to the other kids. That’s why I wanted to check with you before I suggested it.” He swallowed with difficulty, waiting for my reaction.
“Leo. This is incredible.” I held his gaze and poured my sincerity into it. “Thank you. Are you sure? This set has to be worth...” I literally had no idea. “These look very fancy.”
There was no doubt in my mind this set cost more than my used Toyota.
“Uh, yeah. I’m not worried about Cath using them. She’ll respect them.”
She absolutely would. Another bubbling of joy fizzled through me. I wanted to wrap my arms around Leo. Not only did he have this amazing set, but...
“So that means you’re going to help?” I asked with stars twinkling in my eyes.
He shrugged and looked at the ground. “I’ll do my best. I figure, we probably can’t practice here. Because of various complications of a student and non-faculty,” he said. “I’ll ask Devlin if we could use his place, but it’s a bit of a drive.”
I balled my fists to keep from attacking him with a hug.
“That’s a good idea. Though lessons with you aren’t on school time, so it’s no different than if she were getting private lessons from anybody in town. But I agree, better safe than sorry.” I appreciated that he was aware that his quasi-celebrity didn’t automatically mean the school board would approve. “I’ll ask Ben Huntsford too.”
He gave a look like he wasn’t sure who that was.
“He owns Big Ben’s Dulcimer shop. He lets out a room for practice.”
“Oh, right.” He looked at his feet. He really didn’t seem to love the idea of involving any other people in this arrangement. Ben was okay, but I would have to make sure he didn’t make a scene like he had when Sienna Diaz turned up at the Front Porch with Jethro Winston.
“The biggest issue will be moving them. It would be best to have one spot and keep them locked up,” I added.
He tugged at his curls. “I’ll be honest, anywhere would be better than the high school. I would prefer to never step foot in that place again.”
I frowned at him. I doubted this was about signatures or being recognized. Or at least not in the way I had imagined he’d been worried. This was something else. He looked like he was about to crawl out of his skin when we were at the school, and talking about it now put a crease in his brow.
Leo was shy, and that was a startling realization to have about the former rock star. I reviewed all our interactions through this new lens, finding it made a lot more sense than my preconceived notions. He wouldn’t be the only one having a conversation with Devlin.
“Don’t worry. I’ll figure something out,” I said, adding it to my mental to-do list. “I really appreciate this, Leo. I cannot tell you how much this means to me. What it will mean to Cath.”
Leo looked at the concrete floor. “We better pack these up.”
I nodded hesitantly. I wanted to ask why they were set up to play if the dust cover was on them. He stepped forward.
“Will you play for me?” I asked before I meant to or realized what I was saying.
His shoulders went to his ears. “Nah.”
When he didn’t elaborate, I cleared my throat. “Sorry?—”
“You can try them if you want.” His hands were back in his pockets.
“Really? I’m not very good. Think Meg from The White Stripes but even worse.”
He chuckled. “Now I have to hear you.”
The lights in the basement flickered as the storm outside whistled through the HVAC system and shook the pipes.
“Wild storm,” I said, suddenly nervous.
He nodded but reached for some sticks on the snare and handed them to me. I stepped forward with reverence. I didn’t want to sit down and try to play. I really couldn’t do much more than hold the most basic beat, but I didn’t feel ready to end this moment. The sounds of pouring rain added to the moody atmosphere of the basement.
I didn’t get behind the kit, instead choosing to whack the ride cymbal in front of me. It stung my palm and hurt my arm more than I expected. It rattled throughout the basement just as lightning flashed outside the ground-level window.
“Whoa. I am Zeus!”
He chuckled, and I realized he had moved right behind me. “You don’t need to hold on so tight,” he said.
“Why is everyone always?—”
“To the stick,” he clarified as he reached around to loosen my grip. “You have to let the sound waves travel freely.”
He moved ever closer, not touching anywhere but where he loosened my fingers from their death grip. Yet the whole back of my body warmed as though he’d pressed himself against me. A flash of heat spread up my back, knowing he was close enough to hold me if I moved back an inch. I imagined him pressing himself against me and into the wall. His hands trailing up my arm to take the stick away and toss it to the floor. His other hand roaming up my sweater and?—
Jesus, save me, what was happening?
I wasn’t interested in a relationship; the idea felt exhausting, but my body was on a totally different page. It was reading an erotic novel. Especially as his long fingers deftly wrapped around the stick, toying with it. He mimicked the motion he wanted me to perform, loosely playing with it.
“Like this,” he instructed quietly. “Listen to the difference in the sound now.” His smooth, deep voice trembled the hairs on my neck.
I did as I was told, and the air vibrated differently this time.
“Yep. Right. Good job.”
Those words pulsed a shocking wave of desire through me. Obviously, the attraction had been there since I first looked him up. And sure, maybe I’d been in awe of him before he even came back to Green Valley. It wasn’t every day that a GVHS alum made it in the real world. And the more time I spent with him, the more I respected him, but this was not about me and Leo. This was about Cath and her future.
“When you hold on too tight, your arm absorbs the impact.” He hadn’t stepped away. Were his breaths coming faster, or was it my imagination? Any second now, I would move from this position.
Lightning might as well have struck us for how charged the air felt.
What if I leaned into him, letting his rich tones vibrate through me as an example of sound waves? I wanted something of his to move into me. I needed to see his reaction. To be alone in this state of tightly coiled tension would be unbearable.
I turned my head to find his face inches from mine as he watched me hesitantly. His pupils dilated, and his mouth parted. My heart jumped up my throat. His eyes moved to my lips and, holy crashing thunder, was that the storm or my heart racing? The way he looked at me differed from the lascivious gazes I’d known since puberty. He looked at me like I was precious and confusing, like he was as surprised to find us in this position as I was.
If he lowered his lips to mine, would I stop him?
A flash of lightning came instantaneously with a house-shaking clap of thunder. I jumped so hard that I dropped the stick and gasped. He instinctively wrapped himself around me to protect me from some imaginary danger.
“It’s okay,” he whispered, holding me tight. “Just the storm.”
It was unexpectedly lovely to be held and protected.
Upstairs came another crash of something dropping, followed by Janice’s shout. We shared a look of fear.
Leo didn’t hesitate. He sprinted up the stairs before I’d even exhaled. I still felt the weight of him as I followed, unsure if I was grateful for the interruption.