by K E Osborn
“Aren’t you a soft, squishy little teddy bear?” I say in a baby voice and he chuckles and punches my arm.
“Shut up dick, if you saw her face when she left, you would’ve checked on her too.”
“Why do I feel there’s more to the story?” I ask and he shakes his head and frowns. “Oh man, did she reject you after the kiss?”
“No, no, nothing like that. The kiss was incredible, but then things went downhill,” he says piquing my interest.
“What do you mean?”
“Well, I was kind of on top of Annie making out when Colt walked in,” he says hesitantly and I open my eyes wide and laugh a big belly laugh.
Aston rolls his eyes as I clutch at my stomach and try to breathe, but it’s hard through all the laughter.
“Stop laughing, it’s not funny.”
I simmer my laugh down to a chuckle and move my hand to his shoulder for comfort.
“Far out, I bet that ended in a ball of flames. Why don’t you have a black eye?”
“Do you think he would really hit me?”
“No, he wouldn’t hit you, mate. He wouldn’t want to ruin his friendship with your parents, but fuck I bet he wanted to,” I say and he hangs his head low. “So what did Annie do?” I ask and he rubs the back of his neck.
“I’m not entirely sure, but I heard lots of yelling and I’m pretty sure she was crying. I didn’t want to leave, but Colt is scary when he’s angry. I just don’t want Annie to get scared and call this off again, you know? I finally got somewhere with her, after all these years of waiting for her to want me back, and then Colt has to walk in. It was so annoying,” he says and I nod knowing exactly what he’s talking about.
“You know Hux walked in on me making out with someone once. He was calmer than Colt though. I guess he’s my dad and not Indi’s so he wouldn’t have been so upset about it. But I certainly understand the embarrassment of it all. Sucks that he walked in, mate. I’m sorry that happened. But it is very entertaining though,” I tease. He rolls his eyes and punches my arm again, but this time the punch has a kick.
“Ouch, fuck kid, you hit almost as hard as me.”
“Yeah, well, that’s what working out will do.”
I nod and wrap my arm around his shoulders and start walking toward the manor front door.
“I guess I don’t need to do the whole ‘if you hurt my cousin, I’ll kill you’ thing, do I?”
“I’d never hurt her, Caleb. I love her too much to do that.”
I pull him closer because hearing that not only makes me happy that Annie has someone like Aston but makes me remember the love I felt for Indi, the love I still feel. I don’t think an all-consuming love like that ever leaves you. And I’m pretty sure that’s what Aston feels for Annie. We make it to the front door and Aston leans out ringing the doorbell. I take my arm from around his shoulders and nudge into his side.
“So you really love her then?”
“With everything I have.”
I shake my head and smile as Colt opens the door. I stare at Colt and his face stiffens when he sees Aston. Aston’s body tenses as soon as he notices Colt glaring at him. I inwardly chuckle and pat Aston on the back. He swallows hard as Colt continues to pinion him with his eyes. This is hilarious watching these two standoff in an awkward silence.
“So last night you walked in on Aston and Annie, hey Colt?” I say and then chuckle as I watch Aston glare at me. Colt stiffens and scrunches his face like he’s trying to rid himself of the image.
This is so funny!
“Under no uncertain terms are you allowed to have any contact with Annie today or be alone with her. I will castrate you if I find you anywhere near her and then ensure that you never see Annie again. Do I make myself clear?”
I look across at Aston and he looks petrified. Poor Aston. I just hope Colt isn’t going to be the one keeping Annie and Aston apart because he knows as well as I do that they belong together.
Aston swallows hard and nods emphatically. “Yes, sir.”
I shake my head.
Can’t Colt see the poor kid is petrified?
Colt smirks and slaps Aston on the arm. Aston flinches evidently thinking it was going to be more. “Good lad, now get inside, we have work to do.” Aston nods and rushes past him while I look at Colt and smirk.
“Could go a little lighter on him, Colt,” I whisper and Colt give me the once over with his eyes.
“Fuck no, if you saw what I saw you wouldn’t want that little bastard near your cousin, Caleb. Keep them apart for me will you?”
I laugh. “I’ll try, mate. I’ll try,” I say and walk inside the house and straight down to the music room with Colt following behind me. We catch up to Aston and we all walk in together. Annie looks over at Aston and smiles brightly, but Aston looks down and away from her.
Nice going Colt!
Aston completely ignores Annie, obviously shit-scared and Annie couldn’t look more hurt if she tried.
This is crap!
Chad arrived soon after and Colt announced that we are rehearsing all day and then going to our first live gig tonight with two other bands. I’m happy and can’t wait to finally perform on a real stage, in front of a real audience. Not just my family and friends, but a real paying audience! I feel like I could burst out of my skin and there’s one person I really want to tell. I want to share everything to do with my music journey with her because she’s the reason I fell in love with music in the first place. Indi should be there tonight and I decide after trying to wean myself away that I can’t keep this news from her. I need to call her and see if I can entice her to come tonight. But in my heart I know that won’t happen. She won’t answer my call, she never does. But I have to at least say I tried.
I walk out of the music room and down the hall. I know the first person I should be calling is Dad to tell him the great news, but he can wait. My phone call to Indi will only be me listening to the phone ringing and then me hanging up anyway. I pull my phone out of my pocket and swipe it to get Indi’s number. I press dial and I’m so excited that I don’t even feel the nervous tension I normally do when I call her. I just wish she would answer the phone. It rings and rings and even though I’m massively excited, a wash of despair flows over me. I pull the phone away from my ear and go to end the call when I hear her angelic voice. I look at the phone and notice she’s actually answered, so I place the phone back to my ear.
“Indi?” I ask and there’s a short pause.
“Hi Caleb,” she says.
Relief washes over me so intensely that I feel like I want to burst into tears.
She answered!
She actually fucking answered!
“Hey, I didn’t think you’d answer. I’ve been thinking about you since the other night,” I say trying to calm my nerves so she doesn’t know how utterly flustered I am right now.
“I’ve been thinking about you too—”
“Really?”
“Yeah. It’s kind of a shock to run into a blast from the past after six years of not seeing each other.”
“Tell me about it…I miss you,” I say and I hear her exhale.
“Caleb—”
“Sorry, it just slipped out,” I quickly say before she can tell me to stop.
“It’s okay. You haven’t called for a couple of days and I was starting to feel like you weren’t going to call anymore.”
“You wanted me to call you?”
“I didn’t, but then when you stopped I felt like I’d left you all over again.”
“Is that why you answered?”
“Yeah, a moment of weakness, I suppose,” she says and I frown. So she’s regretting talking to me now?
“I ah…had some good news today. That’s why I rang actually,” I say quietly trying not to let her hear the pain in my voice from her last comment.
“Oh, yeah?”
“Dad’s agent, Rob, has signed my band Staked. We’re performing for an audience tonight for the first time—”<
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“Oh my God, Caleb, that’s amazing!” she shouts sounding really excited.
“It really is, and I’m so happy that I had to let you know because you’re the reason this is all happening Indi—”
“What do you mean?”
I smile and lean against the wall. “You’re the one who helped me find my love in performing. I performed to you and you said I was good enough to make it, and now that’s all happening. My dreams are coming true because you believed in me, Indi.”
“Caleb, this was your dream because you wanted it to be, not because of me. I just let you see the potential you have.”
“No Indi, this is all because of you. That’s also why I rang. I…um…was wondering if you’re not working, would you like to come to the show? You said you always wanted to see me on stage and I can sing to you like I always promised I would.”
I’m met by deathly silence. I wait for a moment as my heart races so hard I think it might shatter if she says no.
“Indi?” I ask and I hear her exhale.
“Okay,” she says so faintly I’m not really sure if she actually said it or not.
“Wait, did you say, okay?” I ask standing up from the wall and starting to pace down the hallway.
She giggles and I close my eyes basking in the harmonious glow of the sound of her laughter.
“Yes Caleb, I’ll come to your show,” she reiterates. I throw my fist in the air in celebration.
“Okay great,” I say trying to sound cool about it which is actually hiding how thoroughly elated and excited I really am. Could today get any better? I get to perform on stage and see Indi on the same day. It doesn’t get any better than this.
“What time is it?” she asks and I swallow hard.
This is actually happening!
“We’ll be on last, but the first band starts at seven,” I say and wait for her to answer. “Indi, are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine, this is just weird, you know?”
“Good weird?”
“Umm…like going down memory lane weird.”
“The good memory lane or the bad one?”
“The good one, Caleb. I miss hearing you sing. It’ll be nice seeing you performing your heart out to an actual audience.”
“It’s going to be so good, Indi,” I say and she giggles again setting my heart into a flutter. She really does have the best giggle I’ve ever heard.
“I know, you’ll be amazing like you always were. Where is it?”
“At the concert hall in London. You know the one we always used to sit out the front of when Mum took us into the city?”
“Yeah, I know the one. We really did have some great times you and me.”
“Yeah, we did. Hopefully we can make some new memories,” I say and she goes quiet again. “Sorry I didn’t mean anything by that, just wanted you to know I’d like you to be around a bit more, as a friend, of course,” I lie.
“We’ll see. I have to go, but I’ll see you tonight, okay?”
I lean up on my toes in excitement. “Okay great, and Indi?”
“Yeah?”
“Thanks for answering.”
“Thanks for thinking of me and inviting me to this fabulous concert tonight, Caleb. I really am honoured.”
I scoff. “Indi, like I said you’re the reason this is even happening to me at all. So I’m the one who should be honoured,” I say and…she’s quiet again. “Indi?”
“Yeah?”
“Thanks, for always making me feel better.”
“Glad, to help. I really have to go, but again thanks for calling and I’ll see you tonight.”
“Okay, see you then, I’ll come looking for you.”
“Okay, no worries, I’ll be near the back. I don’t really like crowds these days.”
“Right, I’ll see you in a few hours.”
“Bye Caleb,” she says and I hesitate, I don’t want to hang up but I can’t keep her on the phone forever.
“Bye, sweet Indi,” I say and then wait for her to hang up.
My heart jumps into my throat at hearing him call me sweet Indi. It takes me a moment but eventually I end the call and then lean back against the lounge suite and just breathe. I close my eyes and try to calm my erratic beating heart. I know he still feels the same as me. I can tell by how excited he was when I answered the call. Going tonight is a bad idea, but to be honest I was having such a hard time not thinking about him, that when he didn’t call for a couple of days I started to panic. So when I noticed his number come up I couldn’t help myself, I picked up and then had no idea what to say. The conversation didn’t go at all how I thought it would. I thought he’d be begging me to be with him, but in the end he said he wanted me in his life as his friend.
Friends, I can do!
I haven’t had a serious relationship ever and I don’t think I can start one now. Sure, there’s been guys and I’ve had my fun, but whenever it gets too serious, I freeze and have to end it. Plus, it doesn’t feel right with anyone, so relationships I tend to steer clear of.
I lied and said I had to go, but I didn’t need to. I’m sat here on my lounge suite in my pyjamas and doing nothing. The reason I said I had to go is because I felt myself remembering. Remembering my parents and I never want to remember that. That’s the only thing about Caleb, he has so many great memories attached to him, but also the worst moments of my life involve him. My parents, him getting it on with Maddie after he said he loved me, and me living out of a car until I found a place to stay. I hated those moments of my life and Caleb played a pivotal part in all of them. I can’t let him take over me. I have to remember that together we could be the annihilation of us both. I can’t risk that. I will go and see Caleb tonight, but in my bones I feel like this could be a bad idea.
We’re at the venue for tonight’s gig and I couldn’t be more excited if I tried. Indi is coming and I’m performing in front of ten thousand people. Ten thousand! For my first live performance, ten thousand is a massive turnout. I messaged Indi and told her I probably wouldn’t be able to see her before I go on stage, but I will definitely find her after. She seemed okay with that.
We’re getting ready for the sound check and race over to Annie feeling the best I have in years.
“Holy shit Annie, can you believe this?” I say to her excitedly. Pure adrenalin is coursing through my veins and I can’t seem to contain my enthusiasm.
“Nope, it seems so surreal, hey?” she says looking around the vast expanse of the stage area.
“You can say that again. I’ve been waiting for this day my whole life, Annie. I’m so glad you’re a part of this with me. I love you, cuz,” I say honestly and wrap her in my arms tightly. She hugs me back and then I realise she has her guitar strapped on and it’s majorly uncomfortable in between us. I pull back and hold her at arm’s length and smile at her.
“You’re in a great mood,” Annie says and she’s right, I’m in a fucking fantastic mood!
“Today is a good day, Annie, and tonight is going to be awesome. I can’t wait!”
“Okay guys, let’s get this sound check underway,” Rob says and the parents all walk off the stage and around to the front where the mosh pit will be.
We all take our places on the stage where we always stand. And thank God everyone seems to be in as good a mood as I am. We perform the sound check and everything is perfect, then head off stage so the first band playing tonight Peripheral, can go on first. I head back to our green room and pull out my phone to text Indi. The crowd is already in here so I’m hoping she is too.
Me: Hey Indi, I’m out the back in the green room. Are you here yet?
I hit send and hope to God she hasn’t changed her mind. I sit nervously waiting for a reply text and I can’t stop my leg from bobbing up and down in nervous tension.
My phone vibrates in my hand and I smile wide. It’s a text from Indi.
Indi: I’m here, this place is packed, Caleb. Are you nervous?
I bite my botto
m lip and nod even though she can’t see me.
Me: Yeah a little, but more excited I think. I can’t wait to get out there and sing. I feel like I’m about to burst!
I hit send and lean back in the chair relaxing a little knowing she’s here. I wish I could go out to her, but Dad doesn’t want me getting mobbed or worse losing track of time and being late for our performance.
Indi: I can imagine :) I’m right at the back, so you probably won’t be able to see me from the stage. But I’m here and I’m excited to watch you perform. I know you’ve waited a long time for this and I’m happy I can share this moment with you.
I smile so wide that I’m sure I look like the Joker, but I don’t care. Indi is here and in a while I’ll be on stage singing to her. I hit reply.
Me: I wish I could come out and see you. I have to stay here until it’s our turn, but you’ll stay after the show so we can talk, right?
I hit send and my knee starts to bounce up and down again waiting for her reply.
Indi: I’ll be here, now stop texting me so I can watch Peripheral. Man, these guys look so grungy, they’re in need of a good shampoo!
I laugh out loud and shake my head. There’s the Indi I know and love, always with a bit of quirk behind her. I hit reply.
Me: Yes they do need a hair wash. Thank God mine’s so awesome and clean ;)
I hit send and smile as Chad walks in and looks at me raising an eyebrow.
“You look happy.”
“We’re about to play to ten thousand people, Chad, I’m ecstatic!”
“Yeah me too, this is going to be epic! Poor Ella is freaking out though, she’s so worried that she’s going to forget how to play the guitar on stage. But she’s great, she’ll remember once she gets in the zone,” he says and for the first time I notice his smile when he talks about Ella. I think maybe there’s something happening there.
“She’ll be fine. We all will as long as Annie doesn’t go off on one of her tangents,” I say and Chad chuckles.