“Sinful Distraction. Sinful Distraction,” Elle continues to say this over and over while she walks around the room. We all watch her, turning on our stools, waiting for the light bulb moment. “I like it.” She nods. “No, I love it. It’s perfect.”
“Looks like we have a band name,” I say, trying to be helpful. “We’ll need a killer logo.”
“You’re right. I’ll get the team on it.”
“We have a team?” I question.
“Of course. Ben’s great with graphics. He has your website all set up, he’s just waiting for the name. This is perfect. I need to go make some phone calls. You practice. The Roxy is going to eat you alive if you’re not perfect. Sinful Distraction, I love it,” she says as she walks out of the studio.
Not a second later, the intercom comes on. “You guys ready?” Tyler asks. He doesn’t wait for a response. We get up and take our spots. We have to nail one more song for our demo, which Elle wants to have ready for our gig.
My dad, along with my uncles and my bandmates are setting up for tonight’s gig. 4225 West is helping Sinful Distraction. I call it more like babysitting or trying to have their hand in our cookie jar. I know they mean well, but I’m subjected to more of my dad and Ajay talking shop than I care to listen to.
“How are things?” Liam asks.
“Fine, I guess.”
“Still okay with your decision?”
I shrug. I’m not sure that I am. I miss my life, the one I was trying to have. Yes, it was boring, but it was perfect for me. “You didn’t mention how stressful and busy I’d be. I can’t remember the last time I ate.”
“I remember those days. It’s imp
ortant that you take care of yourself. A healthy body is a healthy mind. You don’t want to cloud it with drugs.”
“I’m not going to turn to drugs,” I tell my uncle. He and my father have always tried to keep a clean image, but I know there was a time when they faltered early in their career. Liam doesn’t talk about it, but he’s always been on us while growing up, about how messed up we can become once we start. I’m high on life as far as I’m concerned.
Keane comes over with JD in tow. “Keane, this is Liam Page.”
“It’s so nice to meet you,” he says, shaking Liam’s hand.
“You too. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“You have?”
Liam nods. “Elle’s my niece. My band has sort of been guiding her along the way. I hear you have a daughter.”
“I do, she’s in the back room.”
“Great, my daughter, she’s a bit older, but she’ll be here in a few minutes with her mom, will keep her company.”
“Aunt Josie’s coming?” I ask.
“And my missus and Eden,” JD adds.
“The whole family, huh?”
Liam and JD laugh. “Do you honestly think any of them would miss your big debut with a band?” Liam asks.
“No,” I say, shaking my head. “I know they wouldn’t, I just hoped they would.”
“Would what?” my dad asks as he joins us. Ajay is standing next to him. I try to ignore the bitterness I’m feeling. Having my dad here is great for the band, and Ajay’s good. He’s really good. I need to get over this. Maybe he and I need to go out and have some beers, shoot some pool and just be bros or something. Anything I can do to not want to rip his head off.
“Liam was just telling Keane that Betty Paige will be here later, so she can sit with his daughter and I was saying how surprised I am that everyone’s coming.”
My dad’s hand rests on my shoulder. Somehow, this feels reassuring, as if I needed him to acknowledge me. Truth is, I did. “Your mom wouldn’t miss this for the world, son.”
A ball size knot forms in my throat. I don’t know why his words affect me so much, but they do, and I needed to hear them.