Dancing With Keenan

Chapter Nine - Aftermath

Three hours later, my hair was plastered to face with sweat and my throat was sore. My fingers were once again raw and bloody and I had added about a dozen more pages to my sheaf of music.

I rushed to get my violin packed up and my fingers cleaned up, not wanting to be left alone with Keenan again. There was too much water under the bridge, and I didn't think I could handle him pressing me for the truth again.

Mariah and I stepped into the late afternoon sunshine at the same time, making small talk amongst ourselves.

"It's gonna be hard to find a replacement," she stated.

"Why?"

"They're gonna have to be better than you, or the few fans we have are gonna be pissed."

"They've only heard me once."

She shrugged a shoulder. "So? They loved you. You're the perfect singer for Nightfall, and they know that. Honestly, I'm not sure if there is a better choice for the band."

I scoffed. "Oh, there is. The band needs someone without the kind of history Keenan and I have."

"Or maybe that chemistry is exactly what Nightfall needs."

"I doubt it, Rye. This kind of crap will tear a band apart."

"I don't think so."

My phone started ringing. I answered the call with a curt, "Hello?"

"Who's the pain in the ass guitarist?"

"Well hello to you too, Meghan. I'm doing alright, thanks for asking."

"Shut up and answer my question."

"Which do you want me to do? Shut up or answer the question? I can't do both, sis."

My younger sister groaned and I could imagine her making a strangling motion with her free hand. I'd always loved riling her up. Her temper was as bad as mine and she was just as snarky. Dad always teased us that Meghan was the perfect follow-up to me -- she could put me in my place with her own sarcasm.

"Just answer the friggin' question, Lilah."

"Why does it matter?" I waved at Mariah. "I'll see you later, Rye."

"Who's Rye?" Meghan demanded.

"Part of the band I'm in."

"Oh, well, who's the pain in the ass?"

"It doesn't matter, Meghan. It's only temporary."

She sighed down the phone. "Lilah, why're you bein' so defensive about this?"

"I'm not."

"I only know one pain in the ass guitarist down there, and if you're mixed up with him again, you're an idiot."

I didn't respond. I pushed the button to unlock my car and settled myself into the driver's seat. I hadn't meant to spend any longer than necessary in Keenan's yard, but I had gotten distracted by both my conversation with Mariah and then Meghan's phone call.

"Delilah?" Meghan pressed, her voice lowering to a colder tone that told me she already knew about Keenan.

"What, Meghan?"

"What in the Sam Hill were you thinkin', gettin' mixed up with him again?"

"I never said I was."

She scoffed as I cranked the car and started to pull down the path. Her voice came through the speakers when the Bluetooth connected. "I know, Lilah. I called Phoebe this afternoon."