Behind The Beat

IV - The Invitation

The next morning, Rozalie sat cross-legged on her hotel bed, staring at the business card Mike had given her. The band's offer lingered in her mind like a quiet hum she couldn't ignore. She traced the raised letters with her thumb, feeling the weight of possibilities pulling her in different directions.

You're really good, Rose.

Mike's words replayed in her mind, his tone genuine. Her heartbeat quickened as she remembered the way Val had looked at her in the studio, her eyes gleaming with something between admiration and encouragement. A part of her wanted to see that look again, to see if she could somehow be the person Val believed she was.

But as quickly as the excitement rose, doubt settled back in. She was an outsider, barely experienced, and the thought of actually playing alongside them felt absurd. She wasn't a professional; she didn't know the ins and outs of life in a band.

Her phone buzzed suddenly, breaking her train of thought. A message from Val.

"Come to rehearsal today? No expectations. Just come and hang out."

Rozalie let out a slow breath, reading the message again. It was a simple invitation, but it held a quiet challenge, an unspoken promise of something more. Before she could talk herself out of it, she typed a quick reply.

"Sure. I'll be there."

As soon as she hit send, her nerves flared up again. She set her phone aside, smoothing her hands over her jeans as she tried to ground herself. This was just a rehearsal. Just another chance to watch them play, she told herself, even though deep down, she knew it might become something more.

After pacing the room a few times, she grabbed her jacket and her bag, giving herself one last look in the mirror. One step at a time, she thought, echoing Val's words from the night before. She didn't have to make any decisions yet—she just had to show up.

With a deep breath, she closed the door behind her and made her way to the rehearsal studio.

The rehearsal studio was alive with sound and movement when Rozalie arrived. She could hear the muffled thump of a bass drum and the warm-up strumming of guitars through the thick walls as she walked down the hallway. The energy was infectious, drawing her forward even as her nerves made her steps feel tentative.

Inside, the band was scattered around, setting up their instruments and laughing about something one of the crew had said. She lingered near the door, feeling a bit like an intruder, until Val spotted her and waved her over, her face lighting up with a welcoming grin.

— You made it! — Val's voice cut through the noise, warm and bright.

Rozalie looked up to see Val moving toward her, a grin breaking across her face. Val's presence felt magnetic, her energy somehow cutting through the din of the studio, and as she approached, Rozalie felt her heart lift. Val's hand brushed lightly against her shoulder, a touch that was brief but grounding, the warmth of it lingering.

— Glad you could join us — Val murmured, her hand lingering just a moment longer, her thumb gently tracing a reassuring circle against Rozalie's shoulder. Their eyes met, and for an instant, everything around them faded into a muted hum. Val's gaze was steady and inviting, carrying a quiet message of welcome that felt far more personal than anything Rozalie could have expected.

Rozalie managed a smile, feeling her nerves soften under Val's touch.

— Wouldn't miss it — she replied, her voice softer than she'd intended. She could feel her cheeks warm under Val's approving gaze, but she didn't look away, letting herself feel the calm Val seemed to radiate.