7. Take care of him, okay? #3
“I hate to be that guy, and I understand that this whole thing has been delayed by the van issue and everything, but I need to know if you’re not in because I have to find someone who is,” Ford said, his tone firm but not aggressive.
He was a businessman thinking business things. Colby understood it.
Buff model-perfect Kenner, rough, grungy Trevor, and sweet hippie Colby.
Yeah. Definitely a weird mix, but Colby knew what Ford was doing bringing them together.
There was something for everyone. Every girl.
It was manufactured and contrived, and Colby wasn’t convinced it would work, but he could make some money trying.
He nodded. “I’m in. Worth a shot, right?”
Kenner got up from the stool he was sitting on and clasped Colby’s hand, pulling him in for a bro-hug. “Let’s do this.”
“Cool beans,” Trevor said, which was ridiculous and made Colby smile. He clapped Colby on his shoulder and turned to Ford. “So, make us famous already, buddy.”
Ford huffed out a laugh. “Keep practicing. I need four songs ready by Thursday. If they’re polished enough, I will slide you into a spot at Range next week. New Talent Night.”
He started to walk away, and all three of them opened their mouths to speak, but before they could, he called back, “A hundred each. Cash. Relax. I haven’t forgotten what I promised.
Now rehearse. This place is free whenever you want it.
You don’t even have to ask. I’ll text you the code for the door. ”
Colby, Kenner, and Trevor spent the next two and a half hours rehearsing.
They were both quick to learn Colby’s songs, which he’d never performed with a drummer or a bassist, so Trevor and Kenner had to create that rhythm and did an excellent job.
Most importantly, they were open to Colby’s suggestions and guidance.
Kenner recorded the session so they could all listen to it later and figure out what still needed work.
By the end of the night, Colby walked out of there feeling good about the new formation.
Although they still needed a name, Trevor’s suggestion of the Damp Folds was a definite no.
Kenner had suggested Tidal Wave, and Colby thought maybe just Tidal was better.
They were going to decide at the next rehearsal, which was in two nights.
Today felt like a win. Not only did this band thing feel like a good fit, but the insurance had agreed to provide him with a rental car for two weeks.
It was a shitty Ford compact car, but it was new and ran, and its small size made it easy to park on the crowded streets of West Hollywood.
They’d even had the car company drop it off at Trader Joe’s half an hour before his shift ended so he didn’t have to go get it.
And most importantly, it was fully paid for by his insurance.
Now he just had to figure out if he could crash at Briar’s for a couple days because his home, the van, had to be brought to a body shop to assess the damage.
If it was a write-off, which Colby was sure it was, then he’d have to start shopping for a replacement.
And he wouldn’t be getting the van back, so he’d have to find somewhere new to live or sleep in the back of the rental.
But that was a tomorrow problem. Today was still a win.
As he drove home, he thought about Hunter because he’d also had a great day.
He was excited to share his news with Hunter the way Hunter had tracked him down at Trader Joe’s to tell him his news.
He wondered if Hunter would hug him the way Colby had done.
It was spontaneous, but also probably a bit much.
Colby was a touchy-feely person, but he was aware that some people, mostly straight dudes, didn’t appreciate it.
He’d felt Hunter stiffen, but then he’d also felt him relax.
Hopefully that meant he wasn’t too weirded out by Colby’s lack of restraint.
God, Hunter had looked so happy when Colby had congratulated him.
Like a kid who just found out he’d spelled a word right in front of the school at a spelling bee.
Colby could relate to that because he craved praise too, and Hunter had looked the way Colby felt on the inside when Briar or anyone else told him he was good at what he loved.
It did make him wonder why Hunter wasn’t getting that elsewhere, though.
He said his parents didn’t approve of his career choice, but they supported him anyway.
Colby assumed that was enough, but his face after Colby’s congratulations proved it wasn’t.
He turned slowly onto North Hayworth from Sunset and found a spot he could squeeze the car into.
It was three buildings up from Hunter’s, but that was fine.
Not too far a walk, and in West Hollywood you couldn’t afford to be picky.
He pulled the expired pass from the glove compartment and hung it on the rearview, sending up a silent prayer to the parking gods to give him yet another break.
He got out, locked it, and walked down the quiet tree-lined street.
As he approached Hunter’s building, he could see the lights on in Hunter’s kitchen window as he passed.
The curtains were drawn, and although they were gauzy, Colby couldn’t see any shadows of people or anything…
Not that he was looking because that would be weird.
Hunter had planned on celebrating with his girlfriend, so they were probably in the bedroom.
That’s where Colby would finish a celebration with Hunter… if he were dating Hunter.
He turned into the driveway, and his entire body flushed as that thought passed through his brain.
Because fuck. He wasn’t supposed to think that way.
Hunter was straight and with Leandra. He’d never talked about any kind of relationship except ones with women. He wasn’t… whatever the fuck Colby was.
He passed the front door and walked down the driveway, humming one of his original songs as he walked.
The van was in the last spot, but as he got closer, he realized someone was double-parked in front of his van.
The trunk on the very old G-Wagon was opened, and inside were suitcases, bags, and boxes.
He stopped walking a couple stalls away.
At first, he thought maybe someone was moving in and just needed to get the car off the road while they unpacked it…
But then he recognized the SUV. Because he read the license plate.
It was Leandra’s. He’d watched her leave once as he was walking to Trader Joe’s. Her vanity plate was Y0gaGrL.
Colby was too confused to move. Leandra appeared with two overstuffed bags in her arms. She saw Colby and frowned. “I’ll be out of here in a second.”
Slowly, Colby walked closer. “Everything okay?”
“Does it look okay?” she snapped and started shoving the bags into the back, piling them on top of other stuff. Something tumbled from a bag, and Colby rushed forward and scooped up a hair straightener before it hit the pavement. She snatched it from him without looking at him. “Thanks.”
“Are you going on a trip?” Colby asked, his voice getting weirdly high on the last word for some reason.
“I’m moving out.” Leandra sighed and finally looked at him.
Her eyes were a little red and her cheeks a little blotchy, so Colby thought she may have been crying.
But weirdly, her hair was perfectly blown out, and she was wearing a clingy dress and heels, like she was coming from or going to an event or something. “I broke up with Hunter.”