Free Rock 'n' Roll is Undead (Veronica Mason by Rose Pressey Page B

me coffee?”
    “All right, all right, all right, the real reason is because I’m nosy and wanted to see who you chose as a new bass player. I figured Frank would drag in some real losers like he has in the past. Everything he does is like watching a train wreck. Good thing Buzz came along.” She winked at him. “But I still want to hear the song.”
    “The guys are ready to leave,” I said.
    Frank and Craig stood by the front door. It looked as if Pierce had cornered them before they’d left. I wondered whether they were talking dead bodies or music. Double yuck. I hoped music.
    I looked to our newest member. “Besides,” I said, “Buzz doesn’t know the song yet. Give the guy a chance, Kitty.”
    I brushed an invisible piece of lint off my skirt, attempting to appear nonchalant.
    “If they’re up to it, so am I.” Buzz gestured toward Frank and Craig. “Just start playing, I’ll fall in.” He exposed his dimples again.
    “C’mon. Just the one song?” She clasped her hands together in a prayer gesture.
    “It’s not up to me. Ask them.”
    Kitty yelled to Frank and Craig and motioned for them to come back over. Not sure how Kitty would get Frank to listen to anything she said, but she had a way with words…even with vampires. Her pack—not to mention her parents—didn’t like her hanging around vampires, but Kitty never did what anyone told her to do, anyway. Her dad hated her dating Danny. The one and only time her parents had him over for dinner, her dad fed him garlic, poured him a glass of holy water and wore a crucifix. He knew those things didn't work, but it was more symbolic. I think Danny took the hint.
    While Kitty convinced Frank and Craig to play the one song, I studied Pierce as he talked on his cell phone. The conversation wasn’t discernible because of the distance, but he was moving his arms and hands a lot.
    “You ready?” I asked when the guys neared.
    “As ready as I'll ever be,” Buzz said.
    Frank snorted. With a warning glare, I reminded him of what we’d discussed earlier. Not that he’d ever listened to me, but I digress. I climbed on stage and adjusted the microphone while the guys got in place behind me.
    “You know they don’t clean those microphones, right?” Frank smirked. “No telling how much spit is on that thing.”
    “Thanks for reminding me. I’ll try not to lick it while I’m singing.”
    I waited for Frank to strum the first chords. I sang and the other instruments started. The words came out smoothly, although my throat hurt a tad. I hoped I wasn’t coming down with something. I was proud of the song. I’d written the lyrics after a night of pizza chased with cookie dough. You can’t get much more inspired than that. The song came out a lot better than my stomach did that night.
    Buzz looked down at his upright bass as he pounded out the music. He was good. And he seemed into the music. The crowd was going to love him. Right now, our only audience was Kitty and Danny. Pierce had obviously left while I wasn’t watching. Some fan, he didn’t even stick around to hear the music. I was glad he didn’t hang around to listen, though. I’d definitely have to talk with Buzz about him.
    Kitty smiled while swaying along with the song. Her man didn’t seem as enthused. He picked at his nails again, chewing on a few fingers while staring at the floor.
    “That was fantastic,” I said to Buzz when we finished the song. “It didn’t even really sound like us.”
    “Yeah, we actually sounded good.” Craig stood from behind the drums.
    Kitty clapped and whistled.
    “Let’s get out of here.” Frank motioned to Craig, then jumped off the stage.
    “Where are you going?” I called after him. “Don’t walk away from me while I’m still talking to you.”
    “What do you want me to do if I don’t walk? Run? I have an appointment. I'll be back at one. Enjoy lunch,” he said in a sarcastic tone.
    Craig followed behind Frank like a lost puppy. Frank was