One More Chance

“Oh yeah. Every recording session, every new artist meeting, and every set meeting.”

“Set meeting?”

“Where a random person off the street comes in and says, ‘Hey! Listen to my shit!’”

“Ah, the Taylor Swifts of the world.”

“Except not as good or as hot.”

“Got it,” I said.

“I don’t like judging people by their looks. Music is about talent. Am I wrong in that?”

“No. And that’s the thing about this opportunity. You can make it whatever you want. I know you’ve had some issues with your father’s work in the past. You get the chance to change all of that now.”

“I don’t want to tank his legacy, though. He worked hard for the standard he puts out. And that includes what the artists look like. But he’s turned away some really good talent over the years. People I’m thinking of trying to track down.”

“Then go with your gut. When you get the paperwork, let me look it over, make sure he doesn’t have looming responsibilities left.”

“You’d do that?” he asked.

“Hell yeah I would. Pro bono. We’ll set up a meeting and I’ll look it over, and if I see anything that sounds fishy, we’ll rewrite it and pass it off. If he’s going to pass the baton to you, he needs to cut ties altogether.”

“Thanks, Ty. I really appreciate it.”

“Anytime.”

“So, enough about me. That’s my shit and there it is. What have you been doing since I dropped off the face of the planet? And please tell me she has a name. Unless she doesn’t and you’re into that kinky shit.”

“Really? We go from serious to sex?”

“Is there any other way to do it?”

“No wonder you can’t keep a girl.”

“Hey, maybe I don’t want to keep one,” he said.

“I hope not, if that’s how you’re acting with them,” I said, grinning.

“So?

“So what?”

“Does she have a name?”

“Actually, I’ve been seeing Ana lately.”

Our beers were set in front of us and I promptly pushed mine in Brandon’s direction. I wasn’t sure how he was going to react, but I didn’t expect the silence. I ordered a water from the waiter and he disappeared, leaving my best friend of many, many years eyeing me with a dead stare.

“You gonna say something?” I asked.

“After all the boo-hooing you did over that woman your freshman year of college, you’re dating her?”

“I don’t think we’re dating. Not officially.”

“Have the two of you slept together?”

I kept my mouth shut.

“Then you’re together.”

“We’re not. I don’t think.”

“Think? Ana’s usually very straightforward. Everyone knew where she stood once she blossomed into her own in high school.”

“Right? So I’m not the only one who thought that. I can’t figure her out right now, and it’s killing me. I know she’s hiding something, but I’ve got no idea what.”

“Hiding something? Like a husband or a cat she isn’t supposed to have?”

“I don’t know. Maybe?”

“Well, if it’s a cat you’d be sneezing your ass off. So, it’s not a cat.”

“Ha, ha. Very funny.”

“I thought so. But it doesn’t surprise me. People change. For all you know, you’re not the only guy she’s seeing. Or sleeping with.”

“I didn’t say we were sleeping together.”

“You didn’t have to.”

The waiter sat my water down and we gave our orders. I sipped on the cold drink as Brandon ordered what I figured would be lunch and dinner for him. I eyed him carefully as he finished rattling off his order and then told the waiter to put half of it in a to-go container. He didn’t care which half.

“Long day at the office?”

“For the rest of my life,” Brandon said.

“You were saying?”

“It doesn’t surprise me on both fronts that you’re seeing Ana again, especially after we ran into her and Kristi at the bar—who’s looking mighty fine by the way.”

“Don’t you dare fuck things up with her best friend and ruin me.”

“Don’t worry. I don’t have the time to fuck things up right now. But that’s beside the point. Why in the world are you still pursuing this woman?”

“Because I still love her, Brandon.”

“That’s insane. It’s been eight years. People change. For all you know, she’s married and cheating. Or baiting you for some trap to get revenge over that stupid fight. Or she’s got four kids and a llama running around somewhere.”

“Four kids and a llama?”

“Kids like llamas.”

“Idiot. And to answer your question, I’m pursuing her because she’s an incredible woman.”

“She was a decent girl in high school. That’s about it. You don’t know her now. You don’t have a clue.”

“And you do?” I asked.

“No, and that’s my point. It’s been years since the two of you have even talked. How many times have you seen her in the past week?”

“Twice.”

“Does she seem like the same girl to you?”

“Yes and no.”

“See, the mere fact that you crept that no in there means there are things that are different. If you feel she’s hiding something, then you need to tread lightly,” he said.