by Daisy Allen
She just shrugs and pulls me down on top of her, her lips against my jaw. “What if?”
“I knew it... you are a witch,” I say, tickling her sides.
The sound of her giggles stays with me the whole way through the concert and into my dreams.
Chapter Twenty-seven
Anca
A week after the concert in Nice, we’re in Normandy for an outdoor concert at their Spring festival and the night finishes up with fireworks lighting up the coastal sky. Reds and greens and pure, bright whites, reflected in our upturned faces to the chorus of oohs and ahhs, voices already husky from the screams and yells of a fun night out.
The band then disperses into the night as we each span the city looking for our own fun.
Mine, of course, lies in the circle of Marius’s arms. We walk in silence along the beach, reveling in the strange juxtaposed sounds of the water lapping against the shore and the laughter from the crowds trawling the streets after our concert on the esplanade.
“Hey.” He stops out of nowhere and pulls me to face him.
“Hey, right back,” I reply, looking up into his soft, earnest eyes.
He looks tired but content. Mirroring me, I suppose. It’s been a long few days, draining both physically and emotionally.
“How you feeling?” He asks me, like he does all the time. I know it’s not a throwaway question though. He’s taking his time to care about me, learn about me.
“Good. I mean, I’m glad about Jez. What it means long term, I’m not really sure. But it seems like he might be ready to give us a chance.”
He nods and starts to walk back up the beach.
“How are YOU feeling?” I shoot the question back at him. It’s become clear to me that he’s not as comfortable answering questions as he is asking them. And that my best bet is to just keep asking, and by sheer law of numbers, he will reply to one now and again.
“If I tell you, I-…”
“Will have to kill me?”
He smiles, and I rise up on my tip toes and lay a kiss on his cheek.
“No, I might have to kill myself… but no, not you. Never.”
“Hmmm, now you have to tell.”
We walk in silence for a few minutes until we reach a bench on the side of the road under a lamp. He sits down and pulls me into his lap, nuzzling his face against my neck.
“How did you feel during the concert today?”
“Good, I mean, I still don’t think I can do it without the meditation and breathing exercises. But… it’s getting better. I, um, I’m starting to believe the good now, and not just the bad. But, well, that stuff doesn’t just go away.”
He nods slowly, taking in every word.
“It IS true though, you know. The reaction from the crowd… and what I… we’ve been telling you for the last month. You’re incredible.”
“I know you believe it.”
“I want YOU to believe it”
“I will. Just give me time. You know the old adage about it being easier to believe the bad about yourself than the good.’
“I know. Trust me… I know.”
“So, um, what do you think is next in line for you, after all this?”
“I… honestly don’t know, Marius. I know I can’t keep playing with you guys forever…” I shrug.
“Well, you COULD.”
“No, firstly, I am just filling in for Cadence… and secondly, even that is just a guest job. The Rock Chamber Boys works as a unit of four, and it should stay that way.” He knows I’m right. “But, I hope you’ll still let me join in now and again.”
“Would you? If I-… we, asked?”
“Try and keep me away.” I wink at him.
“So – okay, if not the fifth member of our band, then what? Maybe you should try auditioning for the London Symphony Orchestra. I heard they might have a harpist opening.”
Even as he says the words, I know it’s not what I want.
“Maybe?”
“So that’s a no.” It hasn’t taken him long to read me at all.
“It’s never been my dream to be just another harpist in an orchestra, Marius. It’s the end goal for many, but not me. Even before the stuff with the, er, before, performing was never what I really wanted to do with my life.”
“What DO you want to do?”
And for the first time ever, it occurs to me.
“I’ve been thinking about it a lot lately. You know, with Jez’s money, I don’t really have to worry about money. So what could I do, if I could do anything in the whole world?”
“It sounds like you might know.”
“I think I do. I… I want to teach, Marius. I want to share the knowledge, the passion. I’ve had good teachers, and lord knows I’ve had bad ones. It makes such a difference. I wonder how many more brilliant musicians there could be out there if someone had just led them on the right path.”
He smiles at me as if he already knew. “Any school would be lucky to have you.”
I shake my head, even as the thoughts formulate in my head. “I don’t want to just be any old teacher in any old school. I think it’s time… to go back to my roots.”
“Romania?”
“Yeah. I mean, Jez and I don’t spend half as much time as we should there. You know, barely once a year for a week or two visiting our grandparents. We owe them more than that. They made all this possible for us, you know. Working when they should’ve been retired, giving us every opportunity possible. Maybe it’s time to give back. Not just to them, but their whole community, it’s not like they’re swimming in money. Not where we’re from anyway.”
He doesn’t say anything, just squeezes me tighter.
“It’s too bad you haven’t had much chance to talk to Cadence. She’ll probably want to steal you away hearing you talk like this.”
“You don’t think it’s silly?”
“I think you’re silly for asking that.”
“No, really, your opinion matters to me.”
“Well, it shouldn’t. But let me tell you this – I think it sounds like it’s a perfect direction for you to take. You’ll be freakin’ awesome at it. ‘Miss Anca’s School Of Music Freaks.’” He traces out the words in the air.
“Don’t tease!”
He smiles and drops a kiss on my nose, “I’m not baby. I really do think you’ll be great at it.”
“What about you, Marius?”
“What about me?”
“What is your dream?”
“I’m living it babe. I really am.” He gives me a little squeeze. “Even parts I didn’t know I was dreaming about.”
“And what if I go to Romania?” The prospect of one day leaving his side is making me feel sick already.
“Will you be happy? Doing what you want to do?”
I have to nod. I know I would be.
“Then what more am I supposed to ask for? You know planes fly to Romania, right?” I poke my tongue out at him. “Wait, do they have vegetarian food in Romania?”
I roll my eyes. “Sure, my grandma makes great food.”
“Cool.”
“Just pick the meat out.” I finish with a grin.
“Witch.”
Chapter Twenty-eight
Marius
“Hey, Hails,” I say, as I hold the door open for her as we all enter the bar after the next night’s concert.
“Yeah?”
“When are we gonna get a day off already?”
“Oh, that’s easy. Let me check the diary… er, here it is. Never. That’s when.” She grins and winks at Anca who giggles.
“The hell. I’m tired, dude. Look at my fingers, they’re being worn down into little stumps!”
“Hmmm, you sure it’s because of your performing, because the thin walls between our beds on the tour bus tell me otherwise.” Sebastian says, face scrunched up into a ball.
“You’re just jealous. Cos your ball and finger stumperer is not here,” I throw back at him.
“Excuse me, wh
at did you call me?” Says a female voice we didn’t expect.
“CADENCE!” We all yell, turning around to see her standing there, a bottle of tequila in each hand.
“What the hell?” Sebastian growls and runs up to his fiancée, pulling her into his arms and giving her a kiss that threatens to never end.
Brad makes a shrill dog whistle as I run up to her, pulling her out of Sebastian’s hold and give her a big hug. I hadn’t realized how much I’d missed having her around until I saw her standing there.
“Hey, babe! Let me take a look atcha!” She says, pinching my cheeks before giving me a big hug. “You look good,” she whispers into my ear. “I can’t wait to hear all about what’s going on, but not here.” She pulls away and ruffles my hair before turning back to her scowling husband.
“Why didn’t you tell us you were coming?” Seb grumbles.
“What would I do that for? What if I found some other hotter musician on my way and didn’t end up getting here. Then you’d be waiting for me for nothin’”
“Oh, in that case, then I have nothing to worry about.”
“Oh no?” Cadence winks at us.
“No, how are you going to find a hotter musician than me?” Sebastian preens.
“Well, I dunno… Jez looks like he’s been working out…” She winks at him.
“I have! Thanks for noticing…I think I have a 7th ab now,” Jez says as he pats his stomach.
“And Marius has those gorgeous eyes and biceps from playing the viola,” Cadence continues to muse.
“Thanks! I grew them myself,” I say, flexing my arms and fluttering my eyelashes. Anca tries to muffle a laugh, burying her face in my shoulder.
“Wait. What?!” Sebastian exclaims. “I’m way hotter than any of them! And I have a French accent…”
“Yeah, and probably a French man’s hygiene habit too!” I yell out, enjoying the banter.
“Harumph. And here I thought you came to visit because you missed me,” Seb whines and wanders over to the bar shooting his fiancée a hurt look.
We all dissolve into a pit of giggles for moment before Cadence sighs and shrugs. “Better go comfort the big hot musical baby. Don’t have fun without me!” She runs over and jumps on Sebastian’s lap and it’s not long before they’re attached at the mouth again.
“I love her!” Anca loud whispers into my ear.
“Yeah, she’s great. In fact, it was in a bar just like this, that she convinced me to come over and talk to you,” I say, pulling her against me, burying my face in her hair and taking a deep breath. I can never get enough of her scent.
She wriggles and runs her fingers up and down my back making me sigh. “Oh, so we have her to thank then?”
“I guess.”
“Don’t tell Jez. He’ll put frogs in her bed.”
“She’s used to it – she’s engaged to Seb!”
“First round’s on… DAD!” Hailey comes over, a tray full of shots in her arms. Our collective yell of appreciation fills the bar.
***
“So, hey, I hear you’ve become quite the heartbreaker,” Cadence says as she comes over to sit on the stool next to me later. The seat is empty after Emily and Anca left for a girls group trip to the bathroom.
“And where did you hear that?”
“A little French birdie told me.”
“And what did the nosy French birdie tell you exactly?”
“That I should probably come visit and see you one last time, before Jez kills you.”
“Fuck.”
“Seriously, what’s going on with you two?”
“I thought we were in the middle of an awkward cease fire.”
“Not you and Jez, idiot. You and her.”
I don’t say anything, just pick at the label on my beer.
“Honey, I flew five thousand hours to get here because my darling fiancée thought you needed a cuddle. Talk to me. What’s going on with you two?”
“What isn’t?”
“That bad, huh?”
“No, that good.” I turn to her and shrug.
Her face softens. “Aw, Maz.”
“No. No ‘Aw, Maz’. She’s Jez’s sister, Cadey,” I sigh.
“Yeah. And you’re his friend.”
“Bros before hos?”
“No. What I meant is, in the end, the happiness of the people he loves most will be what’s most important to him. Trust me.” She gives me a slow nod, and for just a moment, I want to believe her that this will all end well.
I lean over and give her hand a squeeze, “I’m glad to see you.”
“You too, and while your face is still pretty too,” she laughs and pinches my cheek again.
I’m about to lean in and give her another hug when we hear a loud shout from the other end of the bar. I can just make out Emily and Anca standing there surrounded by a growing group of men.
“Shit.” I jump to my feet.
“Whoa, wait. Let’s just see what’s happening.”
“I don’t need to see what’s happening, those guys are harassing them.” I take a step forward, before a leather clad arm thumps against my chest.
“Stop. She can take care of this herself.”
I push the air away and look up at its owner. “Jez, are we not seeing the same thing? Your little sister is being molested by a bunch of guys in a bar, and you don’t want to do anything?” He just looks at me and shakes his head.
Over the noise in the bar, I can hear her voice, it’s raised, and I can’t quite make out the words she’s saying. The blood in my veins boil and I take another step forward. Jez grabs my arms and pulls me back, hard
“Don’t do it. man. Take a breath first. Trust me, she’s not going to appreciate you intervening if she can take care of the situation herself.”
“Fuck you, Jez. Look!” I point over to the growing crowd of men tightening around her. “You’re okay with that? If you are then FUCK. YOU. Don’t sulk just because she said she doesn’t need you anymore.” I shake my head at his pettiness.
“Maz… you shouldn’t talk like that,” Cadence warns me, but I ignore her as I tear my arm out of his hold.
“It’s okay, Cadence. We both know he doesn’t care how I feel anymore. So,let him go, It’s not the first mistake he’s made.” I hear Jez say as I push through to where Anca’s standing.
There’s shouting and laughter and my chest tightens with worry. I elbow one of the men as I force my way into the middle of the circle, where Anca is standing. Emily’s been pushed out of the circle. They’re all pressing closer around her, beers in hand, eyes roving all over her body.
“Hey, babe!” she says to me as I come up next to her.
I spin around, taking in the scene. “What the hell’s going on?
“What do you mean?”
“I’m just… what are you doing?”
“I’m telling these guys my story of meeting Vanessa Mae at my college-…” I don’t let her finish and grab her wrist, pulling her towards a gap in the crowd. “Whoa, where are you taking me?”
“Yeah, buddy, where are you taking her? She hasn’t finished yet.” One of the men says, blocking me from stepping forward.
“She’s done entertaining you for tonight.” I spit in his face.
“Marius!” She shouts at me and tries to pull her hand out of mine.
“Hey… is this guy bothering you?” One of the other meatheads comes up and tries to push in between us.
I can’t believe what’s going on. Who the fuck do these guys think they are? “You’ve got to be kidding me, right? I’m saving her from you guys.”
“Oh my god,” I hear her say, her hand coming up to her forehead.
“Saving her from us? It looks like you’re the one she’s trying to get away from.”
“No, I’m her…”
“Her… her what?” meathead number 1 interrupts me.
“Her bodyguard?” meathead number 2 jumps in.
“Her boy toy? Her momma?” The crowd star
ts to get into it.
Anca steps in between us and grabs my hand. “Guys, it’s fine… let’s go Marius.”
“Or maybe she’s your momma? Go home little boy…” meathead 1 sneers.
I move out from behind Anca and push myself against him. “That’s it…just shut the fuck up.”
“You’re gonna make me? Mommy’s boy?”
“Marius! Stop it!” I hear her yell somewhere in the back of my head.
“Just stay out of this Anca. I’ve got this.” I jam my finger into meathead’s chest. “You’re going to fucking regret you ever came here tonight and messing with my girl.”
He snickers and pushes his face close to mine. “Why? Because you’re going to hit me with your itty bitty bow? Yeah, I know who you are. Can’t even play a proper instrument. Go take your groupie and fuck off home.”
“She’s not my groupie.”
“In that case, maybe she won’t mind coming home with a real man then.” He reaches for Anca, and before I know what I’m doing, I swing and my fist makes contact with his jaw. The pain through my hand is blinding, but it doesn’t distract me from watching him recover and pull his own arm back, ready to swing at me.
His arm comes around in an arc, almost in slow motion, and I feel my body duck out of the way. The momentum of his swing helps me as I run forward, ramming my shoulder against him, taking him down to the ground.
“Oh my god, Marius!” Someone yells out. But it barely registers.
His knee comes up and slams against my chest, and for a second all I can see is stars.
I can feel myself dragged to my feet, hands grabbing under my arms, pulling me up.
“Get off me!” I struggle out of the hold. I spin around and lunge back at him, forcing him to take a few steps back.
“Fuck you, asshole,” he slurs.
I whip my hand back to slap the smugness of his face and feel it make contact.
There’s a scream.
“Anca!” Cadence yells and I spin around to see Anca stumbling back, her hand holding her cheek.
Oh my god. What happened?
“Anca!” I yell, but before I can take a step towards her, a fist slams into my cheek and knocks me to the ground.