Page 39 of Princess and Country

Carter and Dahlia exchanged a gaze. They never needed words to understand each other. It’d always been that way for as long as I could remember. They could read each other with ease. Once they came to some sort of mutual agreement, they both stared at me. I shrugged. My opinion didn’t matter. It wouldn’t change anything. But I loved the idea of giving this guy a chance to prove himself. They had nothing to lose. Stud looked like a dirty hippie, but maybe he was that good. Who knew?

Carter moved to sit beside Dahlia on the second chair facing me.

“Thirty minutes. Top. Show us what you’ve got.”

“You want me to play the guitar, the drums, or the keyboard?”

“Whatever, man. Impress us.”

“I’ll get my stuff and be right back.”

Stud hurried away.

Carter turned to Dahlia. “Are we making a mistake?”

“I don’t know,” she said. “But he’s overconfident, so he must know his stuff. I don’t know—”

Carter looked at me. “What do you think, bro?”

“What have you got to lose? I agree with Dah. He’s either good or a cocky fool. Let’s hope it’s the first one.” I lowered my voice. “Here he comes.”

Stud came back with a keyboard under his arms, a guitar strapped to his back, and a large grin plastered to his face.

He settled and offered us another one of his sly grins. “Are you ready to be amazed?” Yeah, he better be incredible, or Carter would kick his ass. “Pick any song. Don’t tell me which one, I’ll join in.”

Stud delivered. Carter had to snap his mouth shut a few times as Stud played with them. How could one man be that talented? He wasn’t a guitar prodigy like Carter but more like a musical genius. Someone who could adapt to any song as if he’d played it thousands of times before. Dahlia’s eyes widened as she strummed the last chord. She glanced at me, asking for my silent blessing.

Stud jumped to his feet. “Well, I’ll let you think about it. I’ll see you later.” And as fast as he arrived, he strolled away, blending into the growing crowd.

Carter cleared his throat, his eyes bright and wide. He blinked a few times before speaking. “Okay. That was intense. Am I the only one blown away right now?”

“That was insane. The guy can play. I know my vote doesn’t count, but I’d die to hear him on stage with you later. For two or three songs. See how it sounds.”

Dahlia, still mute, finally spoke. “Carter, do you think Stud has the sound we’ve been looking for now for a while? The one we said we’ve been missing? That edge? I don’t know. He fit right in. I’m afraid to admit it, but he blew my mind.”

“Yeah. I think he could be it. That solo he added on “Far Away” was intuitive and on point.”

“Jeff, go find him. If he can get a decent change of clothes, we’ll try him.”

“What about that manager?” I asked.

“We’ll play with and without Stud. Let’s see what he thinks. Tell Stud he isn’t in the band, just filling in.”

“I’m on it,” I said as I clapped Carter on the shoulder and kissed Dahlia on the forehead, before vanishing into the crowd.

Carter Hills Band rocked onstage. The crowd went crazy as Stud joined them for the last two songs.

My entire body vibrated from the energy-filled air.

I hoped the manager would be as impressed as the screaming fans.

People rushed toward the band to get autographs once they moved away from the stage. Dahlia beamed. Carter’s face lit up. And me? I was so proud of them. I wasn’t officially in the band, but I loved how they included me as if I belonged.

A man with brown hair, hardly older than me, broke free from the line, nearing my brother.

“You’re Carter Hills?” he asked, his voice even, and seriousness written all over his face. He wore a brown dress shirt rolled at the elbows, black pants, and dark shoes.

Carter stuck his hand out. “Yes, sir.”