The song that changed my heart

Vincent Meets The Band

 The familiar neighborhood came into view. Rody smiled as Vincent pulled up behind Jame's car. "See you in a bit." Vincent said as Rody grabbed his guitar. "I'll call you if I need a ride." Rody said as he gave Vincent a smile before opening the door. As he stepped out he noticed Dolly walking towards them. "Hey Dolly." Rody said as he got out. He was a little confused why Dolly had even walked up. Even with her happy appearance. "Hi Rody, how... What's with the turtle neck?" Dolly asked, noticing his unusual choice for fashion ware. Rody immediately began to internally panic. Especially since it was Vincent's, and he was using it to cover up the hickies. "Oh I didn't have any clean clothes, and I slept over at Vincent's so he lent me some of his." Rody explained. Dolly seemed rather confused, but didn't inquire any further questions. Just leaving it off with an "I see." Rody could hear the suspicion lacing her voice. Making Rody feel he was going to break into a nervous sweat. "Well, do you think Vincent would be alright staying and watching us perform?" Rody raised an eyebrow as he opened the door. "Hey Dolly wants to know if you want to watch us perform?" Rody asked. Vincent seemed just as confused as he did. He turned off the car before getting out. "Hello Dolly." Vincent said as he exited the vehicle. His tone was best described as neutral. "Hello Vincent, how has your evening been?" Dolly asked with a polite smile. "It's been good. May I inquire why you would want me to watch y'all perform? Not that I mind, but I am rather confused as to why." Vincent asked as Rody physically paused. Vincent sounded much more mature in his words. Why does he not talk like that around him? Then again Vincent could drop some fancy word that Rody wouldn't know the definition of and just be confused. "Well we're getting closer to our concert and we think having some extra ears for constructive criticism, and also to get Andy a feel for performing in front of people." Rody nodded. Andy never had it easy performing in front of crowds. He pulled through during concerts but that still didn't stop him from having a few nervous slips. Vincent shrugged as he joined the two walking up to the driveway. Going slightly slow to make it easier for Dolly to keep at the pace. "How have you been Rody since the incident?" Dolly asked as Rody physically tensed up. Doing his best to not pause midwalk. "Oh I'm sorry, I didn't know that would make you uncomfortable." Dolly said quickly as Rody relaxed a bit. "No it's fine, I've been doing better." Rody said quickly. Dolly was the type to put one's feelings first, to an extent. As they approached Rody could see other members of the band. Then his eyes laid on Richard. He tensed up just a bit. Though from the corner of his eyes he could see Vincent's expression become more serious. "Hey Rody. Oh Vincent what a surprise. Anyways how's things been since those customers?" Richard said it was way too relaxed in Rody's opinion. "Been doing better." Rody replied quickly. "Wait what happened?" Andy asked. "Well..." "Richard." Richard shut his mouth. Rody looked over at Dolly. Her face, while less threatening in appearance than Vincent's, still looked terrifying. "We talked about this." She said Richard seemed rather terrified. Rody would be lying if he said he didn't feel a little intimidated. Richard looked away as Vincent walked over to a chair that had been placed next to Richard as Rody just walked over to his stool next to James. "Are you trying a new style?" Matthew asked as he walked over to his piano. Rody shrugged then he saw James squinting at his neck. "What?" Rody asked as James just shrugged. "Nothing." He whispered as Richard helped Dolly onto her stool. "Alright are we ready?" Dolly asked as a series of yeah's, and yes's went through the group as Leo quickly put his earplugs in.

During their performance Rody kept his eye on Vincent. Watching to see his reaction. He pulled what he felt was his best performance as Vincent seemed dazzled by them. Giving little claps, and a few smiles. It made Rody want to burst with joy. He didn't even seem to knit picks when Andy had some small slip ups, but then again they were barely noticeable. When the final song ended both Richard and Vincent clapped and stood up. Though Richard was definitely a bit more enthusiastic. Even giving a few whistles. Andy breathed a sigh of relief. "You did a good job Andy." James said as he placed his violin in ti's case. Andy gave a smile. "Thanks man." Andy replied as he pulled his trumpet apart. "Hey y'all want a drink? We got lemonade!" Mathew shouted. The whole group agreed as they walked inside the house. After Richard helped Dolly off the stool and onto her crutches. Andy was the last to enter as he was dumping his spit valve into the grass. "So Rody is Vincent your chauffeur now?" James asked jokingly as he sat at the table. "Practically." Vincent replied quickly as James chuckled. "I'm James by the way. You're Vincent right?" James said as he held his hand out for a shake. Vincent took it, giving a firm shake. "You would be correct. It's a pleasure to meet you." Vincent replied as Mathew grabbed a lemonade pitcher out. "That better not have vodka in it." Andy said as he dragged a chair in with Leo following in toe with another chair. "It doesn't, Leo made it you can ask him." Mathew said as he grabbed glasses for everybody. "Can confirm. No vodka." Leo said as he took a seat. "So Vincent, how did you and Rody meet?" Leo asked. "We meet at an..." "Work, we met at work." Rody said quickly. Everyone was caught off guard. He gave a quick glance at Vincent to see him look at Richard. The two of them giving a guilt, but knowing look. "Okay then." Mathew said as he started passing out lemonade. Rody took a sip almost immediately. "So Rody, are you going to explain why you have a hickey?" Rody nearly choked on his lemonade. Having to fight the urge to spit it out. Rapidly coughing before eventually catching his breath. "You good?" James asked as Rody nodded quickly. "Yeah, uhm come again?" Rody said as he looked at Mathew. "Why do you have a hickey? Like I can see it poking out from behind your hair." Mathew said as now all eyes were on him. "Holy shit he does!" Andy exclaimed. "The better question isn't why he has one but who gave it to him?" Richard asked as he leaned over to get a better look. "Are you back with Manon?" Leo asked. "No, no Manon's got a new boyfriend. So who the hell is the new girl?" Richard asked as Rody began to feel sweat dripping down his head. "Vincent do you have any idea on whi gave Rody the hickey?" Richard asked. Vincent just shrugged. "Not a clue." Rody knew he was covering for his ass but it wouldn't last long. "So when are we going to meet the lucky gal?" Mathew asked "Guys, come on, Rody's clearly uncomfortable. Also it could just be a bruise from something else." Rody felt relieved by James. He outside of Dolly was kind of the voice of reason. "Yeah it's a bruise." A lie nobody believed but it seemed to shut everyone up. "So Richard, you seem to know Vincent. How'd y'all meet?" Andy asked as he took a sip of lemonade. "Oh he went to the same university as me, though we didn't really become friends until he joined the orchestra." Richard explained. "That explains why he looks familiar." Mathew mumbled to himself. "So what do you play?" James asked. "The cello." Vincent replied. "Wait really?!" Mathew exclaimed. "Are you surprised by it?" Dolly asked as Mathew picked his jaw up from the floor. "Yeah! Like the cello is a big instrument, and take a look at him. The dude looks like a twig." Rody could see Vincent's eye twitch. "Rody, are you about ready to leave?" Vincent asked as he turned over to him. Rody was a little confused. But at the same time he was kind of ready to leave to prevent any further questions about their relationship. He picked up his lemonade glass and quickly chugged it. "Now I am." Rody replied as he and Vincent stood up. "Well bye, and also sorry if I offe..." "None Taken." Vincent interrupted Matthew as Rody grabbed his case. "Rody, stay right there." Rody did as he was told as Vincent bent down. Before Rody could respond he was in Vincent's arms bridal style. His honest first reaction was to make sure he could stabley keep the guitar safe. Looking back at his friends, several of them had their jaws slacked open. Even Dolly and Richard seemed surprised. Though he could mostly assume it was because of Vincent actually picking him up. "Good evening." Vincent said and with that he was walking out the door. Rody, still in shock he could only wave as they were leaving. Eventually emerging into the night air as almost everybody except Dolly rushed to the door to see Vincent carrying Rody to his car. "Holy crap that man's strong!" Mathew shouted as the couple arrived at Vincent's car. Vincent placed him down before unlocking and opening the door for him. Rody just walked in and scooted over as Vincent sat down in front of the steering wheel. As soon as Vincent shut the door. Rody turned back at him. "What the fuck was that?!" Rody muttered mostly to himself. "Next time you're around them you can pick me up and carry me to the car." Vincent said as he turned on the car. Rody was still a little in shock after it, so he just shrugged it off as Vincent pulled out onto the street.