Chapter 24 #2
“It was final two months ago when I moved back to the States.” His eyes look unfocused, like his mind is somewhere else, until he blinks and frowns. The frown looks all wrong on him, because he’s always smiling. “So, yeah, the wound’s still fresh.”
“Moved back to the States?” I ask. “Where did you live?”
“Germany. Emily is German. I joined the Army when I was nineteen, and I met her when I was stationed there. She came back to the States with me when I left, and we got married. She was miserable in Texas, so we moved to Berlin.”
“Did you like it there?”
He wiggles the tab on the top of his beer can free and starts fidgeting with it. “Yeah, I really did. I loved the city. I loved my job. I loved my wife.” He takes another swig from the can. “Until I found out she was fucking some guy she worked with.”
“I’m sorry, man,” Ever says.
I circle back to his comment about only being back in the States for two months when it’s quiet for several seconds. “I know Thicker Than Water hasn’t been together long, but has it really only been two months?”
They both nod, and then Jesse slouches back into the cushion.
“Yeah, I moved back to the States with literally just the shirt on my back when the divorce was final. Ben said I could crash at his place for a while until I figured out what I was gonna do. He told me about the tour and said I should come out on the road with him as his opener.”
I turn and look at Ever. “How’d you get conned into it?”
Ever shrugs. “When your brother calls and says he needs you, you go.”
“What if he still needs you? And what if you need him? This doesn’t have to end,” I offer.
“What do you mean?” Jesse asks. “The tour’s cancelled.”
I shift so I can talk to them both. “The tour’s over, but it doesn’t have to be the end for you guys. There’s something special happening, you can’t feel it?”
They look at each other, and Ever doesn’t give anything away, but Jesse runs a hand through his hair and sighs. “I mean, yeah, it’s been incredible.”
“People are flocking to your shows because there’s something about you two that’s irresistible. You’re talented, and you’re charismatic, and,” I look at Jesse, “you’re approachable.”
Ever nudges me with his leg. “And I’m not?”
I smile and shake my head. “Not even a little bit.”
Laughter erupts from Jesse. “Jesus, you two were made for each other. I fucking love it.”
Ever shakes his head, but he’s smiling too because he knows I’m right.
My hand is on his thigh, and I squeeze it. “Jesse’s a golden retriever, and you’re a wolf. It’s your resting face.” I point at my own face. “I get it, because same. They’re intrigued equally by both of you, but they’re afraid you might bite if they get too close.”
“I might,” he whispers and kisses my temple.
A little shiver of pleasure runs through me because there’s proof of that under my shirt.
“My point is, people flocked to your shows and numbers keep growing because you just have it. Lean into it. See where it goes.”
Jesse looks so hopeful that something in my chest clenches, because it’s hope on the cusp of desperation.
“You think we could do it, Ev? Play some more shows? Maybe write some songs and record them? I mean, you can play all the instruments. We wouldn’t need to hire anyone to play on EPs.
I have no idea how any of this works, but we can figure it out. ”
“You play other instruments?” I ask, genuinely intrigued.
He nods. “Drums, piano, bass.”
“He’s been playing since he was young. He can pick up an instrument and just instinctively knows how to play it with little or no instruction. And he’s good. He’s a fucking freak,” Jesse adds, as he reaches for a cupcake and starts peeling the paper wrapper off.
I look at Ever, stunned. Just when I thought he couldn’t get any sexier. I tilt my head and narrow my eyes. “Can you sing?”
Eyes locked with mine, he tips his head toward his brother. “We’ll leave that to him.”
That wasn’t an answer, which makes me more curious.
We’re all quiet for a few seconds while I chew on everything I’ve heard.
“This tour’s over, but you established relationships with every bar.
They loved you guys. You know they’d jump at the chance to have you back.
It’s like printing money; they’re guaranteed a profitable night and bragging rights.
I have phone numbers for all the managers, and I can help you set up a new tour and schedule it, if you want. ”
“You’d do that for us?” Jesse asks.
“Of course. I don’t think you understand how much I want you guys to succeed. You were born to do this.” I mean every word.
Jesse stands, steadies himself, “Man, that hit hard,” and then proceeds toward the bathroom. “You’re the best, Soph. I gotta piss. Be right back.”
When we hear the door click closed, Ever asks, “Would you come with us? I can’t do this without you.” Not we, I. It’s a plea.
I rotate completely so I’m facing him and fold my legs like a pretzel. A big hand comes to rest on each of my knees resting on his spread thighs.
Normally, this is where I would start to worry about bills and money and responsibilities, but instead, I repeat what he told me yesterday, “I’ve got you.”
“This might get crazy. The music industry is mental,” he says quietly.
Taking his face in my hands, I search his worried eyes and repeat, “I’ve got you.” My thumbs stroking his cheeks, I give him a quick kiss. “Besides, I’ve lived with Lola Wren for thirty years, I’ve seen some shit.”
“Who’s Lola?” Jesse asks as he returns to the room and the conversation.
“My sister. I think you’d get along.”
He laughs. “What does that say about me?”
“I’ve seen some shit,” I repeat.
My answer makes him laugh harder.
Ever points at the cupcake box. “Can you pass me one of those, Jess?”
Jesse brings it to us since we’re tangled up. I take the chocolate, and Ever takes the red velvet.
As I’m licking the icing, I think out loud. “What about this? If we get on the road early in the morning, we can be at my house by evening. You guys can stay with us for a while. It’ll give you a chance to sleep in real beds, get some rest, and decide what you wanna do.”
Ever looks at Jesse, and I know he’ll do whatever his brother needs him to.
They stare at each other for several seconds, as if a silent conversation is going on, or maybe it’s a game of chicken.
“I’ve got nothing else going on.” It sounds lighthearted, but knowing what I know now about Jesse’s personal life, I know it’s anything but.
Ever looks at him and then me. “You’re in, no matter what?”
What I’m about to say deserves a gigantic check mark on the board, but I’ve never been so sure about anything in my life. “No matter what.”
Like he can read my mind, Ever says, “Let’s go to Denver.”