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She pats an area on my bed and waits with an arched brow.
I rush to clear the space so she can sit. Under her stare, I feel like a child called to the principal’s office to explain a prank gone wrong. But my situation is no joke.
“You’re lucky that I like you and think you’re a perfect fit for my Kiwi. Laila agrees with me, which is why she’s working on Kenya while I’ve come to help you. And don’t think for one second that being part of my favorite band has anything to do with why I’m here.”
“I don’t,” I say, eager to grab onto the slim hope that Onyx can find the in I need.
“Have you called her?”
“No, but not for lack of trying. Khadijah confiscated my phone. She worries that without proper supervision I’ll do more harm than good if I reach out to Kenya too soon.”
“And I’m not giving it back until she agrees to forgive you, either,” Khadijah yells from behind the door.
“Good, that’s one less problem I’ll have to fix. Now tell me how much do you know about my daughter and son-in-law’s deaths?”
I share the bits of information Kenya gave me.
Onyx listens without interrupting me. “I’m surprised she’s told you that much. Even with all that information, Laila and I never understood that she shouldered the blame from such a young age. Cameron, I know you’re in a bad place right now. So is Kenya. She has to reprogram a lot of misconceptions she has about what really happened the night her parents died. Are you willing to wait?”
“Yes,” I reply without hesitation. “If a future with her is the result, I’ll wait as long as it takes.”
“Good answer. Now go clean yourself up. You’re a rock star, start dressing like one.”
Onyx takes me to a diner where she tells me more about her daughter and son-in-law’s accident. If only I had known, I would have tried harder to come clean with Kenya.
“Alright, Laila and I came up with a plan that won’t cause Kenya to run in the opposite direction and will leave your hands clean of trying to manipulate her. Laila’s Silver-Haired Baddies are going to abduct yo—”
“What?” I shout, attracting the attention of nearby diners.
“It sounds a little extreme, but stay with me. Things will work out, you’ll see. While you’re with the motorcycle club, Mayor Salas’ fangirls will take Kenya. Those ladies know how to use sugar to convince Kenya to follow them anywhere. She’ll find you tied and gagged—”
“Onyx, you can’t expect me to seriously consider this plan of attack.”
“Why not? When she sees you in distress, all the feelings she’s been trying to repress will pour forth, and she’ll forgive you on the spot.”
I stand and drop a few bills on the table. “I can’t believe I fell for your tricks. You obviously want to hammer home the final nail in my coffin. I’m sorry, but I’m not going along with this.”
Onyx settles back into her chair and stares up at me with a daring smile. “Then what are you going to do?”
* * *
I stareat the nondescript building across the street from Khadijah’s apartment. My feet led me here after leaving Onyx. The utilitarian sign lists a recording studio as one of the many businesses inside.
I enter, my only intention is to clear my head. I need a winning strategy to get Kenya back.
“Hi, can I help you?” A kid with a neon mohawk and a face full of piercings asks me.
I survey the reception area. There are photos of a range of artists, from small indie performers to bands already on the path to stardom.
“How much do you charge for a studio?”
“Our prices vary based on what you’re looking for. Here’s a rate sheet that lists all our in-house talent from producers to various musicians, and instrument rentals if you don’t have your own.”
After a quick calculation, I decide to rent a room, a piano, and a guitar for every day until Liquid Obsession has to return to Escondido Bay for our final performance.
When I get home, my flagging energy almost gets the better of me. I fight through the fatigue to clean my room and cook a thank-you meal for Khadijah. I pack a bag and leave her a note before returning to the studio.
With the trust I’ve broken, I don’t have a lot going for me right now. But I am good at music. I’ve written love songs, songs about heartache, and songs about living through the shit life throws at people. Yet, there is one song I’ve avoided writing until now.
