Going Back

Chapter Nine - Coffee and Pancakes

Evan nodded like he understood, but I could see deep set concern in his eyes. He didn't question though he just looked down at his lap and then smiled.

"Then we work on all of this after work. I can get DJ's daughter Kat to book some studio time for me. She'll help us, hell I bet she'll even want to sign you. But we'll cross that bridge when we get to it. Ace, are you sure you want to do this." Evan spoke as though he was thinking out loud. I swallowed hard and shrugged.

"No." I mumbled, unable to lie to his face. "But we need me to."

Evan looked down at his hands and fumbled for a while. I could hear his heavy breathing deepen as he leaned further into the dark leather of the sofa.

"There is one issue." He said after a long silent period. "If I'm giving you a ride home after work but you're not getting back till late, Scarlett is going to assume we're dating."

I ignored the curious flip flop in my stomach and shrugged.

"I'd prefer they think we're dating than know the truth Evan."

Evan looked at me, with wide eyes and a slightly furrowed brow. He sat forward and let his elbows rest on the tops of his knees.

"Ace, we'd have to hold hands and stuff in front of them. We'll have to lie to them, all of them."

I knew what he was getting at. If Scarlett and Xavier knew, then his dad's would know, Amber and jackson too... the entire frayed patchwork would know. We'd have to keep up the charade, and they could never know the truth.

"We'll already be lying to them Evan. At least this lie will make them happy for a while." I smiled, although I had to force it past the fear in my throat. I, who'd never had a boyfriend suddenly had to pretend I knew how to function with one.

Evan smiled and nodded, oblivious to my inexperience. "Okay then. We're doing this."

I nodded as he placed his empty beer bottle down on the coffee table. He leaned back again and shook his head.

"Can I ask just one thing." he murmured.

"Yes." I replied unsure if I could answer anymore questions. Tonight had been a mental and emotional battlefield. My nerves were beyond shot.

"What do you want to get out of this?"

I smiled, and looked Evan in the eye. The answer was easy, in fact it was the only easy answer.

"Aside from saving Booked Out from the clutches of that egotistical pig and his snobby girlfriend? Nothing." I replied.

Evan frowned and bit his lip. "So you don't want to pursue a career in music at all?"

Once upon a time, maybe that question would have had a different answer, but things were different now. Being on stage reminded me of a dark time. A time I didn't want to remember.

"No."

"So when this is all over, when the winner has won, you'll just vanish?"

"I won't. Ela will." I whispered. "It happens all the time. Musicians retire."

"Usually after years, not weeks or months." Evan exclaimed.

"Are you going to keep trying to talk me out of helping? Because It certainly seems like you are."

"I just want to make sure you know what you're signing up for. I want to make sure you're okay with it all." his voice was genuine, and for that I was grateful. I gingerly placed my hand on top of his and tilted my head to the side.