Maybe Someday

Food should be here in a little while. Im going to get the clothes out of the dryer, Tori says. She opens the front door, and I perk up on the couch when I hear the familiar sound of the guitar from outside. She closes the door behind her, and as much as I want to ignore it, I rush to my room and quietly slide out onto the patio, books in hand. If I sink far enough into my chair, he might not notice Im out here.

But hes looking straight at my balcony when I step outside. He doesnt acknowledge me with a smile or even a nod of his head when I take my seat. He just continues playing, and it makes me curious to see if hes just going to pretend our conversation last week never happened. I sort of hope so, because Id like to pretend it never happened.

He plays the familiar songs, and it doesnt take me long to let go of my embarrassment over the fact that he thought my lyrics were stupid. I tried to warn him.

I finish up my homework while hes still playing, close my books and lean back, and close my eyes. Its quiet for a minute, and then he begins playing the song I sent him lyrics for. In the middle of the song, the guitar pauses for several seconds, but I refuse to open my eyes. He continues playing just as my phone vibrates with an incoming text..

Ridge: Youre not singing.

I glance at him, and hes staring at me with a grin. He looks back down at his guitar and watches his hands as he finishes the song. Then he picks up his phone and sends another text.

Ridge: Do you want to know what I thought of the lyrics?

Me: No, Im pretty positive I know what you thought. Its been a week since I sent them to you. No worries. I told you they were stupid.

Ridge: Yeah, sorry about the silence. I had to leave town for a few days. Family emergency.

I dont know if hes telling the truth, but the fact that he claims hes been out of town eases my fear that he hasnt been out on his balcony because of me.

Me: Everything okay?

Ridge: Yep.

Me: Good.

Ridge: Im only going to say this once, Sydney. Are you ready?

Me: Oh, God. No. Im turning off my phone.

Ridge: I know where you live.

Me: Fine.

Ridge: Youre incredible. Those lyrics. I cant even describe to you how perfect they are for the song. How in the hell does that come out of you? And why cant you see that you need to LET it come out of you? Dont hold it in. Youre doing the world a huge disservice with your modesty. I know I agreed not to ask you for more, but that was because I really didnt expect to get what I got from you. I need more. Give me, give me, give me.

I let out a huge breath. Until this moment, I didnt realize exactly how much his opinion mattered. I cant look up at him yet. I continue to stare at my phone for much longer than it takes me to read the text. I dont even text him back, because Im still relishing the compliment. If he said he loved it, I would have accepted his opinion with relief, and I would have moved on. But the words he just texted were like stairs stacked one on top of the other, and each compliment was like me running up each step until I reached the top of the damn world.

Holy crap. I think this one text just gave me enough confidence to send him another song. I never would have predicted this. I never imagined I would be excited.

Foods here, Tori says. You want to eat out here?

I tear my gaze away from the phone and look at her. Uh. Yeah. Sure.

Tori brings the food out to the patio. Ive never really looked at that guy before, but damn, she says, staring hard at Ridge while he plays his guitar. Hes really hot, and I dont even like blonds.

His hair isnt blond. Its brown.

No, thats blond, she says. But its dark blond, so thats okay, I guess. Almost brown, maybe. I like the messy shag, and that body makes up for the fact that his hair isnt black. Tori takes a drink and leans back in her chair, still staring at him. Maybe Im being too picky. What do I care what color his hair is? Itll be dark when I have my hands in it, anyway.

I shake my head. Hes really talented, I say. I still havent responded to his text, but he doesnt seem to be waiting around. Hes watching his hands as he plays, not paying a bit of attention to us.

I wonder if hes single, Tori says. Id like to see what other talents he has.

I have no idea if hes single, but the way Tori is thinking about him makes my stomach turn. Tori is incredibly cute, and I know she could find out if he had other talents if she really wanted to. She tends to get whomever she wants in the guy department. Ive never really minded until now.

You dont want to be involved with a musician, I say, as if I have any experience that would qualify me to give her advice. Besides, Im pretty sure Ridge does have a girlfriend. I saw a girl on his patio with him a few weeks ago. Thats technically not a lie. I did see one once.

Tori glances at me. You know his name? How do you know his name?

I shrug as if its no big deal. Because, honestly, it is no big deal. He needed help with lyrics last week, so I texted him some.

She sits up in her chair. You know his phone number?

I suddenly become defensive, not liking the accusatory tone in her voice. Calm down, Tori. I dont even know him. All I did was text him a few lyrics.

She laughs. Im not judging, Syd, she says, holding up her hands in defense. I dont care how much you love Hunter, if you have an opening with thatshe flicks her hand in Ridges directionId be livid if you didnt take advantage of it.

I roll my eyes. You know Id never do that to Hunter.

She sighs and leans back in her chair. Yeah. I know.

Were both looking at Ridge when he finishes the song. He picks up his phone and types something, then picks up his guitar just as my phone vibrates and he begins to play another song.

Tori reaches for my phone, but I grab it first and hold it out of her reach. Thats from him, isnt it? she says. I read the text.

Ridge: When Barbie goes away, I want more.

I cringe, because theres no way Im letting Tori read this text. For one thing, he insulted her. Also, the second part of his text would have an entirely different meaning if she read it. I hit delete and press the power button down to lock my phone in case she snatches it away from me.

Youre flirting, she says teasingly. She picks up her empty plate and stands up. Have fun with your sexting.

Ugh. I hate that she thinks Id ever do that to Hunter. Ill worry about setting her straight later, though. In the meantime, I take out my notebook and find the page with the lyrics I wrote to the song hes currently playing. I transfer them to a text, hit send, and hurry back inside.

That was so good, I say as I place my plate in the sink. Thats probably my favorite Italian restaurant in all of Austin. I walk to the couch and fall down next to Tori, trying to appear casual about the fact that she thinks Im cheating on Hunter. The more defensive I get about it, the less likely shell be to believe me when I try to deny it.

Oh, my God, that reminds me, she says. The funniest thing happened a couple of weeks ago at this Italian restaurant. I was eating lunch with . . . my mom, and we were out on the patio. Our waiter was telling us about dessert, when all of a sudden, this cop car comes screeching around the corner, sirens blaring . . .

Im holding my breath, scared to hear the rest of her story.

What the hell? Hunter said he was with a coworker. The odds of them both being at the same restaurant, without being there together, is way more than coincidental

But why would they lie about being together?

My heart is folding in on itself. I think Im gonna be sick.

How could they . . .

Syd? Are you okay? Tori is looking at me with genuine concern. You look like youre about to be sick.

I put my hand over my mouth, because Im afraid she might be right. I cant answer her right away. I cant even work up the strength to look at her. I try to still my hand, but I can feel it trembling against my mouth.

Why would they be together and not tell me? Theyre never together without me. Theyd have no reason to be together unless they were planning something.

Planning something.

Oh.

Wait a second.

I press my palm against my forehead and shake my head back and forth. I feel as if Im in the midst of the stupidest moment in all of my nearly twenty-two years of existence. Of course they were together. Of course theyre hiding something. Its my birthday next Saturday.

Not only do I feel incredibly stupid for having believed they would do something like that to me, but I feel unforgivably guilty.

You okay? Tori says with genuine concern.

I nod. Yeah. I decide not to mention the fact that I know she was with Hunter. I would feel even worse if I ruined their surprise. I think the Italian food is just making me a little nauseated. Ill be right back. I stand and walk to my bedroom, then sit on the edge of my bed in order to regain my bearings. Im filled with a mixture of doubt and guilt. Doubt, because I know neither of them would do what I briefly thought they had done. Guilt, because for a brief moment, I actually believed they were capable of it.

Ridge

I was hoping the first set of lyrics wasnt a fluke, but after seeing the second set she sent me and adding them to the music, I text Brennan. I cant not tell him about her any longer.

Me: Im about to send you two songs. I dont even need you to tell me what you think of them, because I know youll love them. So lets move past that, because I need you to solve a dilemma for me.

Brennan: Oh, shit. I was just kidding about the Maggie thing. You didnt really dump her for inspiration did you?

Me: Im being serious. I found a girl who Im positive was brought to this earth specifically for us.

Brennan: Sorry, man. Im not into that shit. I mean, maybe if you werent my brother, but still.

Me: Stop with the horseshit, Brennan. Her lyrics. Theyre perfect. And they come so effortlessly to her. I think we need her. I havent been able to write songs like these since . . . well, ever. Her lyrics are perfect, and you need to take a look at them, because I sort of need you to love them and agree to buy them from her.

Brennan: What the hell, Ridge? We cant hire someone to write lyrics for us. Shell want a percentage of the royalties, and between the two of us and the guys in the band, it wont be worth it.

Me: Im going to ignore that until you check the e-mail I just sent you.

I put my phone down and pace the room, giving him time to take a look at what I just sent him. My heart is pounding, and Im sweating, even though its not at all hot in this room. I just cant take him telling me no, because Im scared that if we cant use her, Ill be facing another six months of a concrete wall.