Crash and Burn

13. Secret is Out

"What are you doing here?" I opened the door wide and saw Demi, not wearing the happiest look. "Well, hello to you too." She pushed past me and plopped down on the couch. "Seriously Demi. I thought you were swamped with rehearsals? You know I love you and having you around but I really can't deal with humans today." I walked back into the kitchen to close the door of the top shelf that proudly displayed the alcohol before Demi could see anything. "I was supposed to have rehearsals. Today was supposed to be so important because I had so many kinks to sort out in my set list but my guitarist backed out because he had some family thing, which means he'll be out for days and now I'm worried sick about the opening night, which by the way, you're invited to, and is happening on Monday, which is less than a week away. I'm not trying to be a hard boss and hold the fact that he has a family thing against him but I'm just worried and I feel under practiced." I stood there and stared at her, waiting for her to finish ranting. "I should go. You look like you need some therapeutic time alone and I don't want to impose. I just finished packing my shit and I didn't have anywhere to go and anything to do and I just came here I guess." She stood up and was about to walk out the door when I stopped her. "Stay for a movie or a drink at least. I'm honored that this is the place you thought of coming to. What can I get you?" She smiled and quirked an eyebrow. "You even need to ask?" I couldn't fight the smile that crept on my face and let out a chuckle. "I'll be right back with your favourite mug. It's in my room."

Demi and I were exchanging jokes and laughing on the couch, just like the way we would before I would start drinking, when we heard footsteps bounding down the stairs. "Can you fucking keep it down here?" I turned around and frowned at Mel. I stood up and shook my head at her. "If you want to keep up this attitude with me because you're mad, then go the fuck ahead. But don't you for a second think that you'll be getting away with being rude to our guest." She frowned and walked over to get a full look of the living room. "Oh shit. I'm sorry Demi. I thought that it was just Alex. I could only hear her loud and obnoxious laugh." She shot a glare in my direction and I rolled my eyes. "It's fine. I'm sure that laugh was mine anyway. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to get so loud." Demi shot a sheepish look in our direction, clearly embarrassed for getting comfortable in our home. I took her hand in mine and smiled at her kindly. "Please don't apologize for being comfortable here. We're practically family." I saw as Demi's posture practically deflate at the word 'family'. Mel rolled her eyes at me and not so subtly dug her elbow into my ribs. "I thought you had rehearsals?" Mel looked over at Demi and basically pretended that I wasn't there. "I did but my guitarist has some family thing for a couple of days so here I am." Demi shrugged and turned away. "I'm going to go to the bathroom." Mel waited until she walked out of sight and turned around with a glint in her eyes. It took me a while before I could figure out that glint, because an eye glint in the Johnson family is never a good thing. "No. Nope. No fucking way." I started shaking my head and turned Mel around to lead her back to the stairs. "Back to your room you fucking go." Mel resisted as best as she could, grabbing onto corners or the banister. I hoisted her over my shoulders and started walking up the stairs when we heard the bathroom door open and boy did Mel take her fucking chance. "ALEX CAN PLAY THE GUITAR." And that was how the secret came out.

I walked back down the stairs and into the living room where I forcefully threw Mel on the couch. "You couldn't fucking keep your mouth shut?" She shrugged and smirked. "Consider it payback." Demi had followed us into the living room and filmed Mel being thrown on the couch. "You can? Do you know how to play my songs?" Demi looked at me with her eyes full of hope and I glared Mel down, silently warning her not to say anything. "She covers your songs, Demi. Of course she can play your songs." I let out a low growl and turned to face Mel. "Demi, save me." Demi looked confused and I launched forward to trap Mel in an arm bar before Demi could even register what was going on. "Fuck! Alex! Get off of her." Demi came over and tackled me into a headlock, forcing me to let go of Mel. After managing to break free, Mel took off running to her bedroom and Demi had me in a death grip. "I've only been here over an hour which means that I have plenty of time to rehearse today and the few days after that. Please Alex." I turned around and looked into the hopeful and pleading deep brown eyes, which I was sure was going to be the death of me one day. "Fine." I huffed out and walked upstairs. "Where are you going?" Demi ran up the stairs after me. "I'm going to change and grab my guitar. I only play mine." Demi smiled wide at me for a second and then looked worried. "Wait, how do I know that you actually can play?" I rolled my eyes and looked at her. "Seriously?"She gave me a shrug and a challenging look. "I'm rehearsing for tour and I need it to be perfect. My manager is already looking for another guitarist to stand in for the rehearsals but it's going to take time. Now's your chance to audition like how any other person would." I narrowed my eyes at her, not believing the words that was coming out of her mouth for a second before actually realizing that she was being serious. "Follow me." I turned around and led her to the music room. I took the key out of my pocket to unlock the door when Mel burst out the room. "YES! Can I come watch? Pleaseeee?" I looked at Demi and back at Mel, shrugging my shoulders. Demi let out a light laugh and nodded. "Sure. I have to see how good your sister actually is first." Mel smirked at looked at me. "I know how good you are. No holding back. I know you and the tricks you have up your sleeve." I groaned and dropped my head against the still locked door, hearing Mel and Demi laugh behind me for apparently 'cracking my master plan'. This was going to be a long week.