Free Amplified by Tara Kelly Page B

Like he didn’t buy it.”
    “Usually hotels have those little—”
    “I know, but mine’s electric. I’m attached.”
    Veta’s smile faded, her eyes narrowing at me. She knew. I squeezed my hands into fists and prepared for her to call me out.
    “Sean’s always been a skeptic,” she said. “Or a judgmental prick, depending on who you ask.”
    I let a smile slip despite myself.
    “But this thing with his ex and Teddy…” She paused as if wondering how much to tell me. “Teddy was his best friend. And Amy was one of mine. We grew up together.” She looked out the window, still drumming her fingers against the table. “First loves can fuck you up.”
    “I wouldn’t know.”
    “There’s a shocker.”
    I tried not to read too much into her words, but they still stung. Like the time Dad told me being average looking was a blessing. It would be easier to succeed without boys chasing me.
    “Sean knows he has to get over it,” Veta continued. “He hasn’t liked anyone who’s tried out. And we need a new guitarist, like, yesterday. But it’s a small scene and a lot of people are pissed at us right now.”
    “What do you mean?”
    She scrunched her nose. “Let’s just say Teddy is a well-liked guy around here. He always gives a lively performance—crowd surfing in a raft, wearing nothing but a Speedo and tiara. You name it, he’s probably done it.” She laughed. “Don’t look so freaked, babe. We don’t expect you to do that stuff. But I won’t lie—you’d have some big shoes to fill.”
    “Okay…”
    “Anyway, certain people—mostly Teddy’s friends—don’t think it’s fair that he got booted over some chick. But Sean couldn’t work with him and, quite frankly, neither could I.”
    “Makes sense.”
    “Which brings me to this,” she said. “Bryn brought up the fact that you’re a higher risk for dramarama.”
    “Why—because I’m a girl? Give me a break.”
    Veta leaned forward, the hint of a smirk on her lips. “Jailbait girl living with three guys. Two of them over eighteen. Get the picture, Goldilocks?”
    A blush crept up my neck. “Well, it’s not like I would, I mean, Sean’s cute, but—”
    “You think my brother’s cute?” Her playful tone made me cringe. Why did Sean’s name have to come flying out of my mouth?
    “Um, sure.” I folded my napkin into minuscule squares. “But he’s not my type at all. That’s what I was trying to say…”
    “Good—as long as the attraction stays superficial.”
    “There’s no attraction!” I exhaled a laugh. “God.”
    Her eyes did that squinty thing again. I crumpled the napkin in my palm.
    “You aren’t his type either. Or anyone’s in the band. I pointed that out to them.”
    A sinking feeling settled inside, which annoyed me. I didn’t want to be one of those girls who needed validation to feel worthy.
    “Get that look off your face. That’s good news.”
    “I don’t have a look .”
    “I know this is awkward,” she said. “But we gotta deal with any potential elephants in the room now. We don’t have time to make the wrong decision.”
    People exaggerated on their résumés all the time. This wasn’t any different. I had the skills and, most certainly, the motivation. They’d never have to know.
    Unless I lost it onstage.
    “Okay, here’s the good news,” she continued. “We’ve narrowed it down to you and Dave. Hope you don’t have any plans tonight.”
    “Why?”
    “Because you two are going to battle it out after work. Winner gets to move in tonight.”
    My throat tightened. “Battle…how?”
    “We’re giving you guys boxing gloves and locking you in the studio.”
    “Uh…”
    “A guitar face-off, doofus. We’re going to have Zoe tape it and everything. I can’t wait.”
    “T-tape it?”
    She grabbed the last fourth of my burrito. “Uh-hmm. So we can review it and see who brought it the most. It’s hard to watch you while we’re playing.”
    My palms went clammy. “Great.