Page 28 of Dark Verse

“Ray! Hi,” Octavia says brightly. She immediately turns to the man, “Raven, this is our drummer, Cash.”

Ah. Yes.

“Hello,” I say with a nod, reaching out to shake his hand. “It’s good to finally put a face to the name I saw on the contract.”

He returns the gesture, his grip firm and dry.

“Great to meet you. I apologize I wasn’t able to make it to the audition,” Cash says. “I’ve been slowly recovering from a bout of pneumonia.”

“Oh, that sounds serious.”

“It was. I was hospitalized for a few days. But the docs say I’m recovering well and I’m feeling well enough to be here today.”

“That’s good to hear, and I’m glad to meet you now. I’m looking forward to hearing you play live.”

“I’ve been itching to play since I got sick. I hope I don’t disappoint.”

I nod along as he speaks. His expression is bright and open. I’m pleased that Cash seems excited by working here.

“Where’s Knox?” I ask no one in particular.

“He’s coming in separately,” Octavia offers. “We packed the whole van, which really only leaves room for three people.”

Finding a nearby clock, I spot the time 8:40 AM. Okay, so he’s not technically late, but I can’t help but wonder why the rest of the Nightshades are here, and he’s still out in the wind.

“Well, I guess that gives me a chance to get to know you a little better, Cash.”

“What would you like to know?”

“Really, there is only one thing I want to know when I meet someone new.”

“What do I do for a living when we’re not playing?” he inquires.

I grin.

“No. I’ve lived just enough life to know that is, with few exceptions, usually the most boring thing about a person.”

Cash’s smile pulls across his face.

“Guilty. I was glad to quit that job when we officially moved out here.”

“See. So, I only have one question. What are you passionate about?”

His expression turns contemplative immediately.

“That’s a great question.” After a moment of thought, he says, “I’d have to say art.”

That’s a first, even for someone who works with musicians as their day job.

“Tell me more,” I encourage him.

“Music is how I practice art these days, but I’ve tried many different outlets. Drawing and painting. Sculpture, photography, and a small art installation in college. I even did a few musicals in high school, once as an orchestra member and once as a cast member.”

“Cash is the true artist in the group,” Zeke says.

Cash shakes his head. “Nah, I’m just bad with words. All those pathways were just ways to get my voice out there in some small way.”

Okay, I like this guy.