Swallow

Chapter 1.12:

The next day, I was sitting on my bed playing my guitar when I heard JD shrieking my name as loud as he could from the living room.

"Upstairs," I yelled back.

I heard JD clomp up the stairs like he was running. I wonder what got him all worked up today.

He was out of breath when he stood in the doorway.

"Pack your shit up." He said between gasps.

Wait. What? Was he throwing me out? I didn't even do anything. I know I thought about Riley and stared at her a bit, but I didn't touch her even though I really wanted to. Was he really going to throw me out for just thinking about her? Aiden probably told him I was talking about her. That fucking little weasel was going to get his ass beat today.

"Ezra, get your gear together. Levi just called me. The band at Bannon's backed out tonight. We have a gig." JD clarified.

"That's last minute," I said, pretending like I knew nothing about it. There was no way I was ever going to be as excited about it as JD. The last show we played there wasn't great and it pissed me off for a full week before I was able to let it go. The only reason I even agreed to do this was for the money.

"We take what we can get." JD shrugged. "Get your stuff and get it loaded up. Mark and Aiden will meet us at Bannon's later. They are still at work. I have to run to my mom's house to pick up a check that was sent there instead of here and I will head over to meet you there."

JD left the room before I could stop him and say anything else. He was in a hurry and I didn't blame him. We would be pushing getting there and set up in time. The guys liked to let loose and drink a bit before going on stage. I never got nervous for a show, but JD and Aiden always lost their minds. It always took a shot or two to calm them down.

It took me a few extra seconds to pull my head out of my ass and register that JD said he was going to his mom's house. There might be a chance that Riley was going to be there. I knew it was stupid to assume she would be, but if there was any chance I could see her, I would take it.

"JD, hold up. I'll drive." I threw my twelve-string acoustic on the bed and hopped up to follow him.

A few minutes later, I was pulling up to a nice classic house tucked away in the back of a cul-de-sac. I didn't know what kind it was because I wasn't into that shit, but I knew It was nothing like the house I grew up in. The outside looked fresh, new, and inviting. I knew JD grew up in perfection in the suburbs, but I never realized how different it was from my upbringing.

JD and I walked up to the door and he opened it to let us in.

"Mom, where's my mail?" JD yelled as soon as he walked in the door.

"In the kitchen." She called back.

He went straight to the kitchen, where I heard shuffling around.

JD led me through the house. I looked around a bit, trying to find any evidence that Riley was home. I didn't see anything that looked like a girl's bag or shoes in the hallway. To be honest, this didn't look like the type of house where things would just be lying around.

The house was immaculate and spotless. It barely looked like anyone lived in it.

We walked past a little table in the hallway and on it was a picture of the tiniest little girl with the biggest, beautiful green eyes. She was barely old enough to walk, but there she was, standing up proudly. Behind her was a chubby boy hugging her. JD was a big kid and looked like a giant next to her. Both of them had huge smiles on their faces.