Brooklyn & Beale, page 20
“Shit,” Chloe whispered when his voice grew louder. While his words were still garbled, it was clear he wasn’t happy. When she heard what she thought was her name being yelled angrily by Jess, she yanked back the curtain and rolled out of her bunk. She didn’t want to hear them fighting, much less if it somehow involved her.
“So Jess is leaving?” Inky asked as soon as Chloe sat down next to her in the upstairs lounge.
Chloe grimaced. “It would seem so.”
“Good,” Inky said, her expression unapologetic. Chloe blinked in surprise.
“You don’t like her?”
Inky shrugged. “I like her just fine. What I don’t like is the effect she has on the group. We all have our issues, but her being here has added an extra layer of tension that’s made the last couple of weeks downright miserable. Why do you think Drew and Lincoln have spent time riding on the bus with the other band? They don’t want to be here. And don’t get me started on how it’s changed the onstage chemistry between you and Reid. It’s like someone dumped a gigantic bucket of ice water on you two.”
Chloe stared at Inky with her mouth open. She wanted to argue that Inky was wrong, but it would be a lie. Everything had changed since Jess arrived. Reid hadn’t bothered to open the notebook she’d given him. Not once had he mentioned mixing up the set list like he’d done in the months before. Every second not rehearsing or performing, Reid had spent isolated with Jess.
Except for last night, Chloe thought with a smile.
“Exactly,” Inky said, taking Chloe’s silence for agreement.
Instead of arguing, she shrugged. “How much longer before we get to Rome?”
Inky laughed and bumped her shoulder. “That’s the spirit. Now come on, let’s play Mario Kart.”
For the next few hours, Chloe, Inky, and eventually, Greer and Tom hung out in the upstairs lounge area playing video games. Although no one commented, the steady increase in the volume of the television confirmed that everyone was aware of the ongoing argument happening downstairs. When Tom casually mentioned they would be making a detour to the airport once they arrived in Rome, the air seemed to lighten.
Reid tucked Jess’s hair behind her ear and cradled her jaw. “I know you’re upset, but being angry at me isn’t going to change the situation.”
Jess’s eyes filled with tears. “I know,” she choked. “I’m so sorry. I’m having a bit of a meltdown. I shouldn’t have freaked out on you. God, everyone probably thinks I’m a bitch.”
Reid pulled her into a hug. “No one thinks that.”
“I bossed Tom around like he was a dog, and I was so rude to Chloe. I should have apologized.” Jess blinked away her tears and looked up at Reid. “Tell her I’m sorry. Tell all of them I’m sorry.”
“I will. Don’t worry about that. Just get home safe and take care of that horse. I’ll see you in a month.”
“I will.”
“Text me when you get home so I know you made it safely. Or call me, whatever. I just want to make sure you’re okay.”
“I’m sorry I picked a fight with you. I don’t know why I did it. I’m just so jealous of the time they have with you. I want that time. I want you. I’ve missed you so much for so long. I hate that the last day we’ll have together for more than a month was spent fighting. I don’t want that to be how we remember the last few weeks.”
Reid shook his head and pressed his lips to hers. “This is what I’ll remember. You and me right now. None of that other stuff matters.”
“I love you.”
“You too,” he whispered. Giving her a final hug, he released her and grabbed her bag from the floor. “I’ll talk to you soon.” When she smiled, waved good-bye, and then disappeared into the crowd, Reid’s shoulders sagged with guilt. He hated himself in that moment. Because underneath the guilt and the shame, he felt nothing but relief and excitement. Relief that she was gone, and excitement that things could go back to the way they were. That he could go back to being with Chloe as much as he wanted.
With a final glance, Reid headed back to the bus. As soon as he stepped on board, he could feel the shift. He could also smell it, and it was rotten. With his brows pulled together in confusion and disgust, he edged closer to the table where everyone had gathered, laughing as Greer held a shot glass in the air.
“When this backfires, remember that you only have yourself to blame,” Greer warned before downing the drink.
“What’s going on?” Reid asked, wasting no time slipping into the open space next to Chloe.
“You don’t smell it?” she asked, her face twisted with distaste.
Reid grimaced. “I don’t know what it is, but it smells like shit.”
“Exactly. Greer broke the rules. He shit on the bus. This,” Chloe explained, waving her hand toward the collection of liquor bottles on the table, “is his punishment.”
Reid’s eyes widened. “What the fuck did you guys make him drink?”
“All of it,” Inky said, her voice deadpan.
“All of it?” Reid repeated, his stomach rolling just from the thought.
Chloe giggled. “Yup. If he shits on here again before we get to the hotel, it’s going to smell like death to us, but that hot sauce we added will make his experience so much worse.”
“This is your fault,” Greer said, his face twisted in a scowl.
“My fault?” Reid asked, his eyes wide.
“Yes. You took too long in the airport. We should already be at the hotel. I think you should shoulder some of the blame.” Greer grabbed the shot glass and the closest bottle to him and filled it to the top. “I won’t do to you what these assholes did to me and mix ten different things. Consider this me going easy on you.”
Reid looked around the group, noticing their wide smiles and relaxed demeanors. They were happy and having fun. He hadn’t realized how much he’d missed all of them. Shaking his head, he moved next to Greer.
“No way, man.” Reid smirked when Greer’s expression morphed to indignation. Not giving Greer a chance to speak, Reid grabbed the shot as well as the bottle of hot sauce. Using his thumb to spin the cap off the bottle, he lifted it toward Greer in cheers. “I did take too long. I won’t let you suffer alone.” With a deep breath, he downed the shot then chased it with a shot of hot sauce. Gasps of surprise and cheers erupted from the group as Reid choked on the fire sliding down his throat. With watery eyes, he slammed the empty glass on the table and coughed. “Fuck, that was awful.”
Greer laughed and slapped him on the back. “Welcome back, bro,” he whispered before handing him a bottle of water.
Reid coughed. “Thanks,” he croaked before narrowing his eyes, his expression clouded with mischief. “I think now would be a good time for one of those team-building exercises we always hear people talking about.”
Greer matched his expression as a look of understanding crossed his face. “Now you’re talking.”
Reid looked around the group, his smirk growing as he saw Chloe’s and Inky’s eyes widen. “What do you say, ladies? Let’s team build and shit.”
“I could use a nice big dose of team-building,” Tom said, grabbing a bottle of vodka off the table and taking a long pull. “Who’s in?”
To Reid’s surprise, as the bus weaved through the streets of Rome at one in the afternoon, the band passed around bottles of vodka and tequila, taking shots, laughing, and getting shit-faced. It was exactly what they needed and everything that had been missing since they had arrived in Paris.
When they took the stage later that night, even though they were buzzed, sluggish, and worn out, they put on one of their best show of the tour. Chloe and Reid fell in sync, their chemistry resurfacing with fervor, the sheer force of it rolling over the crowd like an aphrodisiac. They played an hour longer than any previous show. No one wanted to leave. No one wanted the night to end, but none more so than Reid.
After Rome, the weeks rolled by. Reid’s nightmares and stress had slowly begun to lessen, but the absence of his words and his cravings for things he shouldn’t have, both living and not, pricked at his resolve with relentless tenacity. He tried to focus on the positive. Like the fact Chloe had made arrangements to rent Josie’s newly vacated house. She was really moving to LA, but for some reason it just wasn’t enough.
When they arrived in Devon, England on his birthday, the last thing he wanted to do was celebrate. In three days, they would head back to the States. In three days, he would wake up and Chloe wouldn’t be there. The pit of his stomach twisted and his chest tightened. She wasn’t even gone, and he missed her already. Just the thought of being away from her, even though she was sitting right next to him, hurt more than Jess being on the other side of the world. It was the first time Reid truly began to realize just how far he’d fallen.
Reid pulled his hat down low to shadow his face as he weaved his way through the mob of people. The venue was small, but everyone seemed too engrossed in the band on stage to pay him any notice. With Tom and Drew flanking his sides, they made their way to a table in the back of the room. Once they’d settled in their seats, Reid scanned the room.
“Why are we here again?”
“To hang out. Relax with the gang,” Tom answered.
Reid’s mouth twisted into a frown. “It seems like we’re missing a few people.” Jealousy and guilt knotted his stomach. He hated how much it bothered him that Chloe and Greer were off somewhere together. Alone. He didn’t have a right to be jealous, but he was.
“Aww, did you miss me?”
Reid looked up in surprise, his eyes moving between Greer and Inky as they crowded around the table.
“What are you doing here?”
“Relaxing with the gang,” Greer drawled, his expression deadpan.
Reid ignored his sarcasm and tilted his head to see behind Greer. “Where’s Chloe?”
Greer shrugged and passed Reid a beer. “She’s around. Apparently a band she toured with a few years ago is in town. I left them when the conversation turned to girl shit.”
“I didn’t know that,” Reid mumbled, taking a pull from his beer. He wouldn’t admit it, but it stung that Chloe didn’t mention having friends in town.
“You’ll see why,” Tom said, leaning in close to Reid so that no one else heard. Reid’s brow furrowed, but before he could ask any questions, the lights dimmed and cheers erupted.
A petite girl with short pink hair walked onto the stage, a guitar strapped over her shoulder. “How’s everybody doing tonight?”
The crowd responded with cheers, whistles, and beer salutes as two more girls joined her on stage. Reid studied the faces of the bass guitarist and drummer as they took their places. “What’s the name of this band?”
“The Pessimistics.”
Reid’s heart beat a little faster as the pieces started to come together. “Is that the same band Chloe toured with a few years ago?”
“That’s the one,” Inky said. “I love these girls. It’s a shame they haven’t made it big.”
Reid turned his attention to the stage, his eyes focused on the side curtain as the lead singer addressed the crowd again. “We’re so happy to be back in Devon. It’s been too long.” She adjusted the mic and shifted her stance as the drummer started playing. When she began to sing, Reid’s anticipation turned to confusion. He scanned the room again, attempting to remain discreet as he searched for Chloe.
A half hour into the show, Reid’s unease peaked. Chloe was still a no-show, and he couldn’t help but wonder if something was wrong. He picked at the label on his beer bottle and cut his eyes to Tom. He’d assumed from Tom’s comment earlier that Chloe was going to play with the band, but now he wasn’t so sure. Just as he was about to ask, the music stopped midsong.
“I’m sorry, guys.” The lead singer sighed and dropped her eyes to the floor. “This just doesn’t feel right. You see, the last time we played this song here, I didn’t sing it.” Murmurs started to rise. “Do any of you remember?” She lifted her chin and flashed a mischievous smile. “Y’all remember. I know you do. What would you think if I had her come sing it again?” The crowd’s murmurs transformed into a dull roar as the high-pitched sound of an electric violin flooded the room.
When Chloe stepped out of the shadows, Reid stopped breathing. The only thing familiar about her appearance was her knee-high combat boots. Her short, pleated skirt, suspenders, and crop top, exposing ink Reid only saw in his dreams, were all new. Her normally wavy hair was completely straight, the ends almost reaching the top of her skirt.
“Jesus,” he gasped, pulling in a lungful of air.
“So fucked,” Inky mumbled just loud enough for Reid to hear. He didn’t bother looking at her. Nothing in the world could have forced his eyes away from Chloe. He was mesmerized.
Chloe flashed a bright smile and moved next to the lead singer. The two grinned at one another before Chloe spoke. “Three years ago, my good friend, Lizzy, nearly passed out on this very stage. But unlike most people, she didn’t quit. She’s too stubborn for that. Instead, she told me to take over for a song and pushed me in front of the mic.”
“Best idea I’ve ever had,” Lizzy added. “When I found out Chloe was in town for the Somersault Festival, playing alongside an artist named Reid Ryder . . .” Lizzy smirked as the screams turned manic. “I had to ask her to play with us again. So how about it? You guys ready?”
Over the screams, Chloe began to sing. Reid sat stone-still as her voice filled the room. It was the first time he’d heard her sing, but he knew it would not be the last. Goose bumps crawled over his body. Her voice saturated his skin. It sank into his bones and wrapped him in warmth. He felt weightless, a drugless high.
When their eyes locked, something inside Reid shifted. His vision blurred, but for the first time in years, everything was perfectly clear. She’d done it again. She’d taken a sledgehammer to his wall. Just like she promised. Only, this time, he wasn’t just adding layers to someone else’s music. A wave of emotions rolled over him as melodies and lyrics flooded his mind. He wanted to climb across the table and pull her from the stage. He wanted to wrap his arms around her and feel her breath across his skin. He wanted to breathe her in, inhale her exhales, pull her very essence inside his chest. The image caused his breaths to quicken and his heartbeat to pound in his ears. He grabbed his beer and drank until the bottle was empty.
“Holy shit.” Inky looked around the table in awe. “I had no idea Chloe could sing. Why the hell isn’t she in a recording studio blowing up?”
“Because she’s in Brooklyn and not LA,” Tom answered, his expression a little dazed. Reid knew the look on his face; he’d seen a similar look from a guy years ago in a bar in Memphis.
“Not for long,” Reid whispered to himself. Tom and the others still didn’t know he’d convinced Chloe to move to LA. While most of the group would just be happy, he knew some would question his motives.
For the remainder of the song, Reid focused only on Chloe. He was captivated by her stage presence. The experience of watching her from the crowd was completely different than playing next to her. It was a whole new perspective of her as an artist. The crowd didn’t love her just because she was attractive, and it wasn’t just about her killer talent—it was the whole package. She was a living, breathing addiction. When the song ended, the applause from their table could be heard over everything else.
“Thank you,” Chloe gasped into the mic, her face split in a wide smile. “I have one more song before I turn things back over to Lizzy if that’s okay?” The crowd cheered her on, their approval clear. Reid’s breath stilled when Chloe looked in his direction and cleared her throat. “This song is by one of the greatest bands to ever play. I’m dedicating it to a very special friend of mine, who turned a year older today, as a reminder that sometimes you’ve just gotta let others help you carry the weight.”
“Chloe,” Reid whispered, his voice constricted with emotion as she began to play the opening chord of “The Weight” by The Band.
“Holy shit! She didn’t tell me she was going to do this,” Tom said, distracting Reid from his inner turmoil.
“You knew about this?”
“Of course I did. She came to me when her friend Lizzy called. She wanted to play with them, but she needed to make sure doing so wouldn’t violate her contract. I told her it was fine. She suggested we all come see the show but asked us not tell you until we got here. I see why now. Are you still going to pretend there’s nothing going on between you two?”
“There’s not,” Reid hissed, his eyes darting around the table. “We’ve had this conversation.”
Tom exhaled and passed Reid a fresh beer. “You can lie to me however long you choose, but eventually you’re going to have to be honest with yourself. If you don’t, this entire thing is going to blow up in your face.”
Stubborn and petulant, Reid ignored Tom and turned his attention back to the stage. He smiled and sang along with the others. When the song ended, he shot to his feet and let out a piercing whistle. He didn’t care if people recognized him. He wanted Chloe to realize how much what she’d done meant to him.
Chloe dashed off the stage, disappearing through the side curtain and into the shadows. “Holy shit,” she exhaled. Wiping sweat from her forehead, she pulled in a shaky breath. Her heart pounded like a hammer and her body vibrated with adrenaline as she dashed toward the dressing room to pack away her violin. She wanted to catch the rest of the show, and if she was being honest, she wanted to see Reid. Once her violin was put away, she wasted no time getting back out front. Pushing her way through the throng of people, she squeezed in at the bar to order a beer.
“Guinness?”
The bartender nodded and popped off the top before sliding it across to her. “It’s on the house. That was one hell of a performance.”
Chloe smiled and raised her bottle. “Thanks.”
