Playing to Win

I hadn’t really talked about where I moved from or why with these guys, but I hadn’t tried to hide anything, either.

I shook my head. “Nope. No girlfriend.” At least, not anymore. “Not interested in the long distance thing.”

All this talk about Jordan and girlfriends had my fingers itching to play my guitar.

“Listen, I’m gonna go play my guitar. I’ll catch you guys later.” Reaching for my bag, I got ready to leave.

Adam snorted. “You sound as bad as me. Maybe you should join our band.”

I rolled my eyes, not taking him seriously. “Right.”

But Jarom sat up straight, his mouth dropped open. “That’s a great idea. You should totally join our band.”

I sat back, glancing at Adam and Bash to gauge their reaction. They didn’t seem at all wigged out by Jarom speaking up for the three of them.

“You guys barely know me.” I’d never been part of a band. I’d always imagined a solo career. Like my mom. “You don’t even know if I can sing.”

“Yes, I do, man. I heard you singing yesterday. The door to the practice room wasn’t closed all the way. You can definitely sing.” Jarom watched me with hopeful eyes.

Adam made a face. “He’s been talking about it ever since.”

“Look, I can sing, but even just hearing you sing one song, I can tell you’re better.” Jarom really wanted this, I could tell.

“So, how would it work?” I couldn’t believe I was actually considering it. I had no idea when I’d have time to practice or how I would explain it to my dad, but I wanted it.

Jarom nodded, the start of a smile curling his lips. “Right on, man.” He sat forward, bracing his elbows on the table. “We can work things out, but you’d be our lead, Bash on drums, Adam, guitar. I play piano, but don’t tell Ms. Jackson.”

Pulling my chin back, I stared at him. “You play piano?”

“Dude, shh. Seriously, don’t tell anyone. Ms. Jackson will make me accompany the choir if you do.” He glanced around dramatically. “With you and Adam on guitar and us singing.” He shrugged and kind of let the implication hang there.

“My dad’s not super supportive of my music.”

The three of them exchanged glances.

“Yeah, we get that. None of our parents are either.”

“And I have hockey.” I’d quit hockey today and spend every day practicing with these guys, even if they were terrible. My dad would have a fit and disown me.

Jarom nodded. “Maybe we can work something out with Ms. Jackson during advising or something. I’m not sure. But we’ll do what it takes to make it happen. We don’t have any gigs right now, but I think if we work we can audition for some local shows.”

Wow. Jarom had bigger dreams than I expected. I kind of thought they just messed around for fun, but from the expressions on all their faces, I’d underestimated them.

“Yeah. Okay. I’m in.” And I’d deal with my dad when the time came, which would hopefully be way, way in the future.

All three guys sagged with apparent relief.

“Awesome.” Jarom stood, his fist extended.

And just like that I’d joined a band.

CHAPTER FIVE

Jordan

I didn’t see much of Asher the rest of the first week of school and everything seemed to be falling into place as it should. No one parked in my parking spot. Asher sat with Jarom and his friends at lunch. Natalie and Kelly apologized and made up after squabbling at lunch. And after practice that first day, we seemed to form some unspoken agreement to skate on opposite ends of the rink for drills. During scrimmage, since we played the same position, we never scrimmaged on the same team and we never had to go against each other.

Instead, I battled Leo Jessup.

Play to win.

“Oomph.” My shoulder hit the wall. Leo’s huge body pinned me for a split second before he backed off, grinning.

Too bad Leo wanted to maim me before we could even play our first game.

“Idiot! We’re on the same team.” I’d been going home with sore shoulders from all the body checks into the wall. Leo outweighed me by at least fifty pounds and he seemed to get a kick out of smashing me. The first couple days, I thought he just played a physical game or maybe he wanted to make a point to the new girl, but now, I kind of thought it might be his own special brand of flirting.