Scorched Beats – By Arell Rivers #3
Once inside, I take notes about how the venue will work for UC. Given we’re going to be on multi-band staging, I’m aware of the limited changes the band will be able to make. I test out the sound and lighting equipment already installed and evaluate the staging, taking copious notes.
After a couple of hours, I’ve compiled an extensive list of items to be verified. I approach Renata, who took a seat a while ago. “This is a great place.” I sit next to her.
She looks around. “I can only imagine it filled with tons of screaming fans, excited to see their favorite bands.”
“Yeah, and those who can’t make it to LA can watch on television.” I nod toward the places where cameras will capture all the excitement.
“I hope it raises a lot of money. We need it.”
She sounds so despondent that I don’t think and put my arm around her shoulders. “Things will turn around. Hey, you already found a new place to live.”
“For the time being.” Her head swivels toward me. “Thanks.”
“UC’s happy to help.” For a brief moment, it feels as if I finally made a breakthrough with her.
Like my very being isn’t putting her on the defense, courtesy of Ryan.
My gaze bounces to her lips, then back into her mesmerizing brown eyes.
Damn. I want to spend more time with this woman. “Hey, I’m hungry.”
Moment broken. She pulls out of my quasi-embrace and stands. “I can drive you to your hotel. I’m sure they have a restaurant there.”
I scramble to my feet. Here goes nothing. “Maybe you’d like to join me?”
RENATA
His words ring throughout the amphitheater. The thought of having a nice meal in an actual restaurant with real silverware is appealing, to be sure. If this were anyone other than the twin brother of my college ex—who cheated on me—I might be tempted.
My stomach takes this opportunity to let out a growl that would make UC’s lead singer jealous. My hand covers my midsection, but Ashton speaks first. “I’ll take that as a yes.”
“No, Ashton, it’s fine. I’ll drop you off.”
“And leave a starving lady behind the wheel? What must you think of me?” He motions for me to walk ahead of him.
Instead of following his lead, though, I stand my ground. “I don’t want to push it between us.”
He stops, and all of the comparisons to his twin I’ve been doing while he’s been working flood my system. While he hasn’t grown taller than his nearly six-foot height, he has filled out. His shirt shows off a buffer body than what he sported in college—he’s now closer to Ryan’s athletic physique.
That’s where the similarities stop. While Ryan was all about himself, Ashton has spent most of the drive over asking about me.
While Ryan never lifted a finger to benefit others, Ashton’s literally here working to make sure others get the best concert possible.
While Ryan never met a mirror he didn’t like, Ashton seems oblivious to how he looks.
Still.
“Renata, I’m enjoying learning about what you’ve been up to since college. Don’t think of this as anything more than old friends getting reacquainted.”
Then he says stuff like that. “Well, I guess I do need to eat.”
“And it’s on UC, so feel free to choose the filet mignon!” He laughs, and he no longer looks like my ex. His face transforms with good humor, a quality Ryan never exhibited. His brother always was looking for the next score, never happy with where he was. Ashton appears to be more settled.
Together, we leave the Hollywood Bowl and return to my car.
I press the button to unlock the doors, running my fingers over my only possession to survive the wildfires.
He gives me the name of his hotel, which I plug into the GPS.
It’s a major chain, so I’m sure they’ll have at least one restaurant on premise.
After a short drive, I park and pop the trunk, allowing Ashton to grab his luggage.
We pass not one, but two different restaurants in the lobby before he checks-in.
I’m about to suggest the burger bar—because the other is high-end and I’m not about to take advantage, no matter his earlier quip—when he points to the more luxurious place.
“I’m gonna drop my stuff off in my room.
Why don’t you get us a table in there, and I’ll meet you. ”
I need to be honest with him. “It’s too expensive.”
He waves his hand. “Believe me, if UC were here, they’d be going out to Spago or The Ivy, or someplace along those lines. This hotel steakhouse won’t even be a blip on their radar.” Before I can respond, he leaves for the elevators.
Guess I was overruled. Inhaling deeply, I square my shoulders and walk to the host stand. My mouth waters at the smell of steak. “Hi. I’d like a table for two, please.” The host nods, picks up a couple of menus, and leads me to a table off to the side.
My fingertips run over the linen napkin, before I place it onto my lap. I’ve never been one to frequent such fancy places, but I sure do see their allure. The server comes to the table and pours two glasses of water.
As I’m waiting my phone rings. “Hayden, hey. I finished showing Ashton the Hollywood Bowl.”
“Good. I’ve been worried about you with him, though. How are you doing?”
“It’s definitely weird being around him. Of course, he looks like Ryan, but he’s really different from him.”
“I’m glad. I couldn’t imagine a guy who acted like your ex being able to hang out with UC for one night, let alone a full tour.”
“He’s very different. For one, Ashton actually laughs.”
A giggle comes through the phone. “Well, that’s a plus. He’s highly recommended. Everyone loves him.”
“He seems to be easy-going. He spent a few hours at the venue, double-checking all sorts of stuff. At the end, he was pleased, so I’m sure there won’t be any issues for the concert.”
“Exactly what I wanted to hear.” I hear her typing. “Where are you now?”
The million-dollar question. “Actually, I took him to his hotel?—”
“And are on your way back home,” she supplies an ending to my sentence. Incorrectly.
“Not quite. Ashton was hungry and asked me to join him for dinner, since he doesn’t know anyone in LA. So, I’m waiting for him to drop his stuff in his room and meet me here.”
“Being where?”
“At the steakhouse in the hotel.” A thought hits me. “If this is too expensive, let me know. We can go to the burger joint across the way, no problem.”
“Goodness, no. UC can surely spring for two dinners. I’m sure Luke, their manager, gave Ashton the business credit card and didn’t set any limits. Totally fine.”
My relief is short-lived, however, when Hayden asks, “Anything you want to tell me?”
Her interested tone leaves no doubt where she’s going with this line of questioning. I fluff the napkin on my lap. “What? No. No way. You know my history with his twin, for heaven’s sake.”
“I haven’t been on tour with UC yet, so I can’t give you any first-hand knowledge of Ashton, but everyone raves about him. You deserve some happiness.”
I’m spared the need to reply to my bestie because the man of the hour slips into his seat across from me. “Keep your thoughts to yourself, Hayden. Ashton just arrived, so I have to go.”
Ashton waves at my phone. “Hi, Hayden!”
“Give him my best!” She pauses. “And you have mine, too.” With a giggle, she hangs up.
I tap my cell phone on the table while he gets himself situated and opens the menu. “This place is nice. I’m going with the ribeye.”
I tease. “Didn’t you say filet mignon before?”
“Changed my mind.” He smiles. “How about you?”
“I’ll do the filet. Someone has to.” I close the menu.
Our server comes by and we give him our orders. When we get our drinks, Ashton picks up his IPA and I lift my margarita. He says, “To a successful concert.”
“Definitely.” Our glasses clink. “So, I remember you were always part of the theatre in college. Do you miss it?” Before he responds, the beer travels down Ashton’s throat. I try not to stare.
“Not at all. I was on the crew, never onstage. What I’m doing now is a natural extension.”
Behind the scenes. Another difference between him and his twin brother. “Makes sense. So, you like working on the band’s sound engineering?”
Our salads are dropped off, and he takes a large bite. “It’s the best. I work with the most advanced equipment, and what I do really affects the gig. If the sound’s off, the band’s music won’t be right and the fans will be pissed. Can’t have that.”
“I imagine not. Do you have a big team?”
He shakes his head. “Nah. It’s only my boss and me.”
I chew my salad and wash it down with my drink. “Quite the responsibility for only two people. Better hope no one gets sick.”
“True.” He finishes his salad. “Have to say, UC keeps me on my toes. A different city almost every night. Even on this trip, I’m out here today, and then won’t be back until the concert.”
Something about the way he describes his life on the road sounds appealing. Especially since my Airbnb will run out at the end of the month. “That doesn’t sound all bad. If you hate a place, you don’t have to deal with it for too long.”
“Hashtag truth.”
He laughs again, and once more I’m struck by how dissimilar he is from Ryan. “I never realized how different you were from your brother.”
“Despite the fact that we shared the same womb, we couldn’t be more divergent. I was shocked he decided to attend the same college as me. That’s probably the only decision we agreed on since we were babies.”
The server swaps our salad plates for the steaks. Steam comes off them, and the aroma of beef and butter caresses my nose. After I swallow a bite of the delicious filet mignon, I say, “Ryan never said too much about you, other than you were ten minutes younger—and were on the AV squad.”