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Hank was dying.
He’d apparently battled cancer for years, ignoring it at first and then seeking treatment until it was pointless to keep going. He’d lost the love of his life years ago and he’d held on for Fletcher, or so he said.
Now, everything that had once been in Hank’s name was being transferred to Fletcher—the house that he’d fully paid off years ago and Big Waves Music. Oh, he also introduced Fletcher to his lawyer, hoping that the two of them would hit it off and get married. Unfortunately for Hank, Fletcher and Erin settled for being great friends, because the chemistry and sparks Hank hoped for? Non-existent.
If he was being honest, there was only one woman in the world he’d had sparks with instantly. And she was long gone from his life.
Music was the only consistent thing, which was why taking over the music store felt right. What he didn’t account for was how it wouldn’t be as exciting as when Hank was running the place. All the old musicians had passed on and those that came into the store were usually there to get directions to somewhere else. He had kept only one of Hank’s original staff members—because the others were pretty useless and knew nothing about anything—and some days he felt like he was struggling to keep them busy.
So he decided to give music lessons.
Which was a joke since Fletcher was a self-taught drummer and had picked up the other instruments from watching his friends rehearse and perform every night. But if he offered music lessons, then maybe it would bring in more people. Or at least that’s what Erin said. Even if they didn’t purchase instruments—the store wasn’t bankrupt, just empty—there would be something for Fletcher and Benson to do on a daily basis.
Soon after Halloween, Benson presented a poster advertising the music lessons which he plastered everywhere. In the week following there was an influx of messages and phone calls enquiring who was taking the lessons and how much they cost. Despite having been with an internationally acclaimed and award-winning band, most people didn’t know the name Fletcher Kelley. He’d never been one to flaunt his fame either, so it took some wrangling before they updated the poster with mention of The Rescuers, using words like ‘award-winning’ and ‘legendary’, and suddenly everyone was interested.
His first session was with two teenagers who, according to Benson, had sent in messages on Instagram that looked like ‘excited keyboard smashing’. He understood about two things in that whole conversation. Even with all of the assurances that he’d do great and it would be a total breeze, Fletcher’s anxiety was telling him otherwise. Which was so convenient, since he hadn’t had a panic attack or the urge to curl in on himself in years.
Fletcher
Why did I let you convince me this was a good idea?
My sweat has sweat.
Erin
….
That is disgusting and information I didn’t need.
Grunting at his phone, Fletcher took off the green and yellow plaid shirt he was wearing and fanned himself. Like that would chase away the worry. He’d never interacted with kids outside of meet and greets when touring with The Rescuers. He’d never taught someone else how to play an instrument. Regardless of what people thought when they looked at him, he was a permanently stressed walrus.
Fletcher
I’m sure there was a better and less stressful way for me to get more people through those doors.
Erin
You shot down all my other ideas.
Fletcher
They were pretty terrible, E.
Erin
Inviting people to host themed parties is a great way to bring them in.
Fletcher
Then I have to clean up after they leave.
Erin
You can’t have everything, buddy.
Fletcher rolled his eyes and replied with the middle finger emoji before tucking his phone away. Erin had been a godsend the last few years after Hank died. As his lawyer, Erin knew how Hank ran the business, all of his partnerships and friendships. So she helped him connect with those people and keep Hank’s spirit alive in Sirena Beach the best he could. Even though she lived in San Diego, she drove to see him pretty often so they could go through the books and make sure everything was on the up and up. They might not have been a romantic match, like Hank wanted, but they forged a bond neither of them expected.
Erin
