by Shona Husk
“I got that.” She smiled. “They seem to think you work too much.”
“Yeah. That’s because most of them have nine to fives and don’t understand what it takes.” It was hard work and odd hours. And sometimes sitting around looking as though he was doing nothing but playing the same few chords repeatedly. It was also tho best job when it was all going well and everything was gelling. He glanced at her. Did she want more of his time already?
“I think you should take that holiday. The rest of the year will be busy, won’t it?”
He wanted to say no. But once they’d recorded there’d be video clips and promo for the next single, then tours. It had been almost a year since their last album and by the time this one came out, a year and a half would’ve passed. The first one had taken a while to get up to a simmer, snagging the support act gig had helped. The ARIA nominations meant that people were expecting something bigger this time. He felt the pressure closing in acutely.
He nodded. How much time was he going to be at home next year? “But I want to spend the time I’m here with you.”
“I want that too, but I have commitments that I can’t drop either.”
“Are you trying to break up with me again?”
“No.” She laughed. “That happens after we have sex.”
“Phew. At least we get to have sex first.” He kissed her, hoping that she was kidding about the breaking up part.
She cupped his face. “Seriously. What is the holiday? A week?”
“Five days.”
“That’s nothing. I’ll be here and so will your music. From the sounds of it, Mike needs time anyway.”
He rested his forehead against hers. It wasn’t just the time or the need for momentum. “If I keep spending my savings I’m going to be living at home for another year.”
Last year he’d promised himself that he’d move out, but then he’d hardly been here.
“I’ve already resigned myself to that. I have a job interview next week. If I get it, it’s a part-time job share so not enough money.”
Someone called, “Get a room,” but he wasn’t sure if it was aimed at him or someone else. “I’m sure you’ll get it. Are you going back to uni?”
“Yes. I’ve applied to study externally.”
“It’s all happening for you.”
“I’m not going to wait around anymore. I have to get out there and make the most of it. Losing my job might have been a good thing.”
“I think your car breaking down was better.” He kissed her again. Slower. Her tongue met his as she pressed her body to his. Despite the troubles they’d had, that they both kept coming back for more had to mean something.
“Promise me one thing,” she whispered against his lips.
Uh-oh. “What?” He tried not to sound concerned.
“No dodgy Bali tattoos.”
He laughed. That was already on his hell-no list. “I can make that promise easily.”
The call went out for them to play something. He tried to plead it was impossible without Mike, but that was a lie and they all knew it. “Do you mind?”
“No.” She smiled. “It’s what you do.” She let him go so he could get out the acoustic gear.
Some of the tension he’d been carrying faded. She was fitting in…and she appeared to be coming around.
It had become an informal tradition that they play something at the party. Their friends had sat through enough bad covers and bad originals at the start. It wasn’t fair to stop now they were half decent.
“Nothing from the new album.” He gave Dan and Gemma a look. They didn’t want that hitting social media before they’d recorded, and there was no guarantee that someone wouldn’t whip out their phone.
“Start with a cover?” Dan suggested.
They did a quick debate about which song while some smart ass yelled out, “This year.” Then they launched into the song. Given that they’d covered the album at the Basement it was an easy choice. It had also been a charting single ten years ago and people sung along. One song done and the nerves diminished. Their first paying gig had been a wedding for one of his parents’ friends, then a fiftieth birthday party that had involved a lot of old Aussie covers. They’d always slipped in a couple of songs they’d written but only after everyone had been drinking.
Another quick debate followed about what else to play. One single and a band favourite that hadn’t made the cut on to their first album—but that had never stopped them from playing it live. Because people recorded concerts on their phones it was online. This time in the studio it might be nice to record it properly and make it a bonus track.
He glanced around slowly, looking for Olivia. Hopefully she wasn’t standing alone. He shouldn’t have worried. Olivia was with his sister, and they were talking. He tried not to think about what K was saying.
They finished off the last song. Did they have time for one more? “What time is it?”
“You have ten minutes.” A guy called out.
Dan’s fingers hadn’t been so nimble. He was too pissed to play properly, but then most people here were probably too tipsy to notice. He glanced at Olivia again. There was one song no one had heard.
He should play it.
What if it was crap?
It wasn’t crap. But it was personal.
“One more?” Gem raised both eyebrows.
“I’ve got this one,” he said quietly. Immediately the nerves were back. Choking him. He picked up his beer and took a drink. In a louder voice he said, “This is something I’ve been working on. It won’t be on the next album so don’t get all excited.”
A couple of people laughed.
He should play something old. But he wanted to play this. He wanted Olivia to know that whatever happened, they had now and he was happy with that. With her he had stopped looking at the future and what might happen.
“It’s called We Are Right Now and it’s a little rough.” There he was, making excuses before he’d started. “Tell me what you think later. After I’ve had a few more beers so I won’t remember.”
There were a few laughs then it all went too quiet. He was sure he could hear actual crickets. He glanced at Olivia, then decided he couldn’t look at her so he looked down at his guitar as if his fingers needed help to find the chords after fifteen years of playing.
He felt like he was sitting under hot stage lights. Sweat formed. Get on with it. He closed his eyes. Then he started to play. It was the melody he’d thought of when he’d seen her in the café. So quiet and peaceful. When he was out on the water thinking of her. There was no way anyone would miss that the song was about her.
But it was bigger than that too. It was about living in the moment.
She was right. He should take the holiday.
He would enjoy the wedding as he’d be with her. Who knew what next year would bring?
Not the right man, the one you wanted,
But I could be what you need right now.
He might have been stung about the breakup when he wrote the chorus…but it was all true. She could’ve been married to someone else, living a different life, and instead they were together. He finished the song—more like half a song as it was less than two minutes—but it was never going on an album so it didn’t matter how long it was.
Ed opened his eyes and looked up. His sister was hugging Olivia who was brushing what he hoped weren’t tears off her cheeks.
“That was awesome and you’ve been sitting on it.” Gemma punched him in the arm.
“Thanks. It’s not quite what we are doing.” It was too much of a ballad.
“Two words. Bonus content.”
He wasn’t sure about that. It was too personal, but then wasn’t Seppuku personal for Dan? Where did he draw the line? Did there need to be one?
“I’m going to pack up.” He didn’t want to leave equipment lying around. He grabbed Dan’s bass. Dan had already melted away into the shadows. Gemma followed.
“Two minutes.”
/>
Was it that close? He wanted to be kissing Olivia at midnight.
He put the two guitars in the garage and turned, but it wasn’t Gemma holding her guitar standing behind him. It was Olivia. He wanted to know what she thought of the song but didn’t know how to ask. He locked the door so they wouldn’t be disturbed. She watched him, then her gaze skimmed over the converted garage.
The space was cluttered. It wasn’t ideal, but it was good enough for getting together to write and rehearse. His parent’s old brown sofa was against one wall. A couple of power boards snaked along the floor. There were amps and guitars, keyboard, drum machine and drum kit—although it was a spare now. This was a house deposit or a new car right here. The garage had been insulated so it didn’t get too hot, and rugs had been thrown down to dampen noise.
It wasn’t particularly romantic, but they were alone and there was a lock. Right now that was all he cared about.
She looked at him as if not sure what to say.
Outside someone yelled, “Sixty seconds.”
“You don’t want to be out there for the countdown?”
He didn’t care where they were. “I want to be with you.”
Olivia took a step closer. Hearing him sing had been amazing, and she’d known that it was about her and him and how nothing quite clicked at the right time and yet here they were. “I got that…that’s what the song was about.”
“Yeah.” He shoved his hands into his pockets as he watched her. He actually looked uncertain.
Her lips curved. “I liked it.”
No one had ever made such a big deal about wanting to be with her, it had always been kind of assumed. This had to be tended and coaxed along. But she liked that her relationship was within her control instead of just happening.
He smiled. “I wasn’t sure you would.”
“I’ve listened to some of your music.” She looked away. “I bought a couple of songs.”
“You didn’t have to do that.”
She swallowed, now wasn’t the time to be holding back. “I wanted to hear your voice.” That wasn’t hard to say. She slid her hands over his shoulders and her lips brushed his. “But I do need to know how much of this is going to end up in the music.”
“I don’t know.” His hands touched her hips then pulled her closer. “I got frustrated with the way you kept pulling away.”
Outside the countdown started. The last few seconds of the old year were vanishing. They would have a fresh start. Next year would be different. No more hiding and running.
“I’m not pulling away now.” She was where she wanted to be. It didn’t matter that there was no guarantee about where they might end up. All they had to do was make the most of what they had.
“Neither am I.”
She let herself drown in the kiss and the warmth of his touch. As the New Year started she knew she was where she should be. For the first time in three years she was no longer waiting for something to happen.
Chapter 15
It was hot in the sun and Ed hated wearing suits at the best of times. Sitting on fold up chairs on the lawn of a winery was not his idea of a good time either. The wine was inside and the white wine would be chilled. Now he was thirsty. Next to him sat Olivia’s very jetlagged younger brother Rhys. They had been unofficially paired up for the day. That gave him someone to talk to while Olivia did the bridesmaid thing. She looked beautiful. The dress was sunset orange and revealed enough of her shoulders that he wanted to kiss the exposed skin before sliding it off her altogether.
Not that he’d get that chance today. Today was a day of being on his very best behaviour as her family pretended not to size him up and compare him to her ex. He didn’t know much about Miles, and he didn’t feel that he needed to. The guy had been stupid enough to get behind the wheel and drive, risking the lives of his fiancée and unborn child.
He glanced at the little blond boy who was the ring bearer. They hadn’t been introduced yet. That would happen today. That was a little more nerve-racking than being at the wedding—which had started late.
He’d expected that. What he hadn’t expected was to recognise the bride. She was the busy rep from the radio station. He doubted that she’d recognise him, as she’d barely had time for him and Gemma. They weren’t big enough stars.
The service ended. Rhys stood up. “I have to appear in some family photos. Are you getting some with Oli?”
Ed raised his eyebrows at the nickname. “I don’t think so…I’m not really…” he was the spare dick at the wedding, why had he agreed to this?
“You’re here. She’s here and Jules’s rich husband is paying. You’re drinking the top shelf with me ‘cause I need a partner in crime and Shaun’s buddies are too sensible. Today you’re family.” Rhys slung his arm around Ed’s shoulder. “You were brave enough to attend, you get the perks and Olivia told me to make sure you had a good time.”
Olivia had told him much the same thing. Rhys had been in Europe for the last year and didn’t know anyone except family, and he wouldn’t want to hang out with his aunts and uncles or Shaun’s fancy friends. Having already met a few, he understood exactly what Olivia had meant.
“You’re angling for free tickets.” Rhys had already worked it out. As they’d waited for Julie he’d turned in his seat and said that he’d seen Selling the Sun play last summer. It must have been one of the album launch gigs.
“I’m offended and grateful.” Rhys grinned.
The photos took another hour and he did manage to have a couple taken with Olivia. It felt kind of strange. Like he couldn’t breathe properly when he put his arms around her. They were all dressed up for someone else’s wedding but for a moment it was like he’d stepped through a mirror and into an alternate life, or was glimpsing a possible future.
He hadn’t wanted to let her go. He’d also realised that she had no underwear on. Nothing. She’d whispered something about refusing to be a sausage when his hand had slid over her butt. The dress was ankle-length so nothing was going to accidentally show…but it was a thought he hadn’t been able to shake.
It wasn’t until after the meal and the dancing started that he was actually able to be with her. He walked up to the table and asked her to dance. This time there were no handcuffs involved and he wasn’t concerned that she’d bolt—although she looked ready to leave the bridal party table.
“Aren’t you going to introduce me, Olivia?” The sister smiled, but Ed saw through it. He’d met people like her before, all smiles and daggers.
Olivia drew in a breath, as if trying to draw up strength. It wasn’t the first time he’d seen her struggle with her sister today. Being an observer and listening to Rhys talk had given him an insight into the family.
“Julie, this is Ed, my date.”
Nah…he wasn’t going to let Julie off that easily. She’d been making Olivia’s life hell and obviously hadn’t let up for the wedding, probably because he was here. He put out his hand and plastered on his best suck-ass smile. “Ed Vincent. We met at the radio station a couple of weeks ago.”
Where was the photographer when you needed him?
Julie’s face went from smug to realisation in a couple of seconds. Now she knew who he was. He may not be that famous…but right then it was enough.
Julie looked at Olivia. “You’re dating a rock star?”
Those words had never sounded sweeter.
Olivia smiled at him. “Yeah, I am.”
Thanks for reading Out of Place. I hope you enjoyed it.
If you’d like to know more about me, my books, or to connect with me online, you can visit my webpage shonahusk.com, join my newsletter http://mad.ly/signups/119074/join, follow me on twitter @ShonaHusk, or like my Facebook page www.facebook.com/shonahusk.
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Reviews can help readers find books, and I am grateful for all honest reviews. Thank you for taking the time to let others know what you
’ve read, and what you thought.
You’ve just read a book in my Face the Music series. The other books in this series are Out of Rhythm (more info over the page), Out of Time and Out of Chances (coming later in 2015).
If you liked this book, here are my other books Secret Confessions—Sydney Housewives: Meagan.
This book was published by Escape Publishing. If you’d like to sample some more great books from my fellow Escape Artists, please turn the page.
BESTSELLING TITLES BY ESCAPE PUBLISHING…
Out of Rhythm
Shona Husk
‘With fun, authentic characters, sexual tension that leaves you on tenterhooks, and wonderful world building, Shona Husk is an awesomely talented Australian writer and it’s fantastic to read rock star romances set here at home.’
Kylie Scott, author of the Stage Dive series.
They might be one of the hottest up-and-coming bands in Australia, but the members of Selling the Sun have a lot to learn about life, love, sex and each other.
Coming off a successful Australian tour and prestigious industry award nominations, Gemma Field’s life should be perfect. Instead her parents want her to get a real job, the second album isn’t coming together, and her best friend, Kirsten wants nothing to do with her.
Falling for her best friend was never going to make life easy. After an almost accidental drunken kiss almost six months ago, they aren’t even talking. Gemma can’t even talk about it with anyone – not her family, not her bandmates, not even the one person she used to share everything with. Instead she lives in a space of indecision and pain, and it’s affecting all aspects of her life, including the band.
Kirsten Vincent missed Gemma like crazy, but did she miss her as a friend or as something more? She’s confused and Gemma is hurt, and the consequences of a bad decision will affect more than their personal lives. Will another kiss, a sober kiss, a kiss with intent, do more damage, or could it be the start of something more?
Face the Music Book One
Unstitched
Jacquie Underdown