Out of Chances (7 page)

‘Yeah, yeah. Get it out of your system.' He crossed his arms and waited.

Selling the Sun was rock. It had solid drums and a good bass line and strong guitar. The other stuff he'd written was definitely not what they were known for.

Gemma raised one eyebrow. ‘How much other stuff have you written?'

None of it was final, but there was quite a bit. ‘Enough that I think I could sell some of it.'

Their music was collaborative. It might start with some lyrics or a piano piece by Mike but everyone was involved. This was just his random musings put to music. All the time he spent sitting alone in a bar or a café generated the extra songs. They weren't personal and he didn't want to be performing them … but they deserved a chance and someone might love them. And if they didn't then he knew he sucked as a solo songwriter, which meant he was back to square one with no idea how to supplement his income.

Moving back in with Lisa and taking everything his father threw at them wasn't at all tempting. The short-term gain would not be worth the long-term pain. Better to hurt now for a few weeks, or months, than suffer for decades.

‘Why pop?' Ed was staring at him like he'd grown horns.

Dan shrugged. Maybe listening to his sisters' favourite boy bands while growing up had left deep scars. ‘I didn't want it sound like us, some of it was experimental. I don't know. That's just the way it turned out.'

‘Can we hear some of it?' Mike seemed interested.

‘I'll bring something tomorrow. Gemma, you want to unleash your inner pop princess?'

She flipped him the bird. ‘You missed your calling as a boy band member.'

‘That hurts—I can play a musical instrument
and
I can write my own songs.' That was about all he could do. He had no plan B unless he went back to uni and became a teacher. That was still a better plan than going back home with his tail between his legs.

Chapter 6

‘I can't remember the last time I was here. A year ago?' Ripley gazed out across the Swan River and watched the sun set.

‘Closer to two?' They'd caught up last year when they'd both been in Sydney, but at the moment Ripley was based in San Francisco living the glamorous life of a ballet dancer. Which was about as glamorous as Dan's life but with a better pay check.

‘Probably. When I'm away I don't miss being here, then when I'm home I don't want to leave.'

Dan knew exactly how Ripley felt. He rarely came to this pub because it was where the two of them went. Last week he'd come alone because he'd wanted to see if it was still the same. That he'd been picked up by the bartender had been a pleasant bonus. He hadn't seen her tonight. He didn't know if he wanted to see her.

Part of him wanted to because she was cute and hadn't mucked around, the rest of him didn't want to get caught up with a groupie and she fell into that pile. She'd recognised him. No one recognised him, especially when he hadn't done his hair and was looking scruffy. He'd be lying if he said that his ego hadn't enjoyed the stroke as much as his dick.

‘How are your folks?'

‘Dad's doing okay but that could change. Just praying I don't get it.' Ripley glanced at his hand as if looking for a tremor. Paul still insists on calling me Jacob.'

‘Your brother's a tool.' When Ripley had come out in year eleven he'd decided to start using his middle name. It was symbolic and his family had for the most part been supportive. It had meant there was an awkward year where the school called him Jacob and didn't know, but family and a few close friends did. But Ripley seemed to bounce through life without ever getting a scratch. Even his older brother's prissy attitude didn't leave a dent.

‘On the subject of tools, how is Lisa? Too soon to slam the ex?' Ripley raised one eyebrow.

‘Oh, man. Fuck.' Dan shook his head. Then he told Ripley what he could never tell anyone else—mostly because no one else would believe it and they'd think him a liar and a spineless shit.

People took one look at his family and went looking for the silver spoon. His life was supposed to be perfect. Ripley knew all the details because growing up they'd lived on the same street. He'd known Ripley was gay years before everyone else. They had kept each other's secrets. Unlike Gemma, Ripley could keep his mouth closed.

‘Well, I'd like to say I'm shocked and splutter with disbelief … but.' He gave an elegant shrug. ‘Your father pulls that crap all the time.'

‘On me, not my girlfriends.' That was crossing a whole new line that Dan hadn't even seen. That he didn't want to see again. Would every relationship he had be poisoned by his father?

‘It's on her, not you.'

Dan looked at the man opposite him. ‘You have never run the risk of getting someone pregnant. You don't know how that feels.'

‘I know what it's like to be lied to.'

‘Not the same. What she did …' He couldn't even speak without the hurt and anger bubbling up and burning his gut. As much as he didn't want to be a father right now—maybe in five or ten years—that she could do that. He didn't know her at all. Even if they weren't together they could've come to an arrangement about the baby. His mother would've gladly stepped in, while giving him the glare, which he never would've lived down; there were other options.

‘Was within her right. You picked the band and she decided to get on with her life. She didn't have to keep the baby.'

‘I thought you were on my side.'

‘I am, the whole bribery thing, that sucks, but you made a choice and she made a choice and you can't hate her for that.'

‘Yeah I can.' He sounded like a brat and he hated that Ripley was right. If he wasn't ready to settle down with her, he couldn't expect her to be a single mother and raise his child. Dan shook his head and had a sip of his beer. ‘I hate it when you're right.'

‘I know.' Ripley grinned. The tooth that had been chipped in a fight at school was now capped, his smile almost too white. ‘So I'm here for three weeks. Opening night is on Friday. Are you coming?'

‘Are you going to give me free tickets, and are there girls in this one?' The last time the production had been all men. Ballet wasn't his thing, and watching men in close-fitting tights really wasn't his thing. Chicks on the other hand …

‘Yes and yes. I'm guessing it won't be Lisa you bring. Gemma?'

‘No, she's got a girlfriend. That might be weird.'

Ripley's eyebrow twitched and his lips curved. ‘You seem to have a talent for picking queer friends. Is there something you're not telling me?'

Dan laughed. That was so true and he had no idea why it was true. ‘Maybe they find me.'

‘Ah, to the women you are safe and for the men you aren't competition.'

‘I am your perfect wingman.' Never in the spotlight, always just beneath the melody. No one noticed he was there until he was gone.

He'd been out with Ripley plenty of times. Ripley had a way of talking to people so they were halfway in love with him before they left the club. He made it all about them while getting everything he wanted. Dan had picked up a few pointers, but he wasn't a people person like Ripley. He was sure the only reason they had become friends was because they had bonded over their love of art and music and they caught the bus together until Dan had got expelled.

And a year later expelled from a different private school.

Ripley leaned forward. ‘That red-haired bar wench has been looking over here. I'm pretty sure it's not me she's looking at.'

‘Sure,' Dan said. Ripley was taller and managed to look good the moment he rolled out of bed. He drew attention without trying. Going clubbing with him meant women came over like moths to a flame. Then they noticed Dan.

But this time he suspected Ripley was right. As Dan glanced to his right he saw her. Her hair was in two braids today and she was balancing the tray she was steadily loading with empty glasses as if it were simple. He swallowed. What should he say when she got over here. Nothing? No, he wanted to say something. A smile formed as he watched her.

‘You
do
know her.'

‘Only in the biblical sense.' Dan tried to make it sound casual.

‘And recently, I'm guessing, since you didn't really want to come here today.'

Dan grimaced and glanced at Ripley. ‘She offered and I said yes.'

‘Of course you did. She is exactly what you need to get past Lisa. Rebound sex is wonderful.'

‘No.' That wasn't how it was. ‘And I don't need anything or anyone.'

‘Yeah, keep telling yourself that. You are the kind of person who is happiest with someone. You're a one-woman kind of guy. A freak of nature.' Ripley was grinning now, that meant trouble.

The fun kind or the dangerous kind?

‘I am not a freak. I'm civilised and respectable, unlike you.' His gaze flicked back to Indigo. He couldn't help it.

‘I am a perfect gentlemen. I just make the most of whatever my current relationship status is.' Ripley sipped his beer and pretended he wasn't watching Indigo.

‘Which is single.'

‘At the moment.' He shrugged. ‘It was mutual. Which is more than can be said for your break-up. When was the last time you were single for more than three months?'

‘Um …' Probably before he discovered girls could be fun, instead of annoying like his older sisters. Indigo was working her way closer.

Her gaze met his for a moment then skittered away. Oh, God this was going to get uncomfortable fast.

‘Hey, finished with these?' She didn't look at him, just the empties.

‘Yeah.' Ripley smiled at her as though he was besotted. Dan kicked him under the table. Ripley was about to meddle. ‘I have two VIP tickets to the opening night of
Beastly
. My friend Dan here thinks you wouldn't be interested in going with him.'

Her mouth popped open. ‘Err … I … hardly know him.'

‘I know. Have a first date on me.' That winning smile again.

Dan was going to kill him. ‘Stop embarrassing her.'

Indigo was blushing and looking like she wanted to bolt and he didn't blame her. He wanted to as well. While he knew there was no malicious intent behind Ripley's plan, interference made him bristle. He was sick of people trying to tell him what to do.

‘It's fine.' She put the glasses on the tray. ‘I don't know what Dan told you but there is nothing going on. So keep your tickets.' Then she was weaving her way back to the bar.

‘Well thanks a lot, knob jockey, now she'll never talk to me again.' In that moment he realised he'd really hoped she would see him again.

‘Ah, so you did want to see her again. Bring her.'

‘Did you miss that entire conversation?' For someone so smart, Ripley could be very obtuse. ‘Give me some money. You can buy this round for that.'

That, and Dan couldn't really afford any more drinks.

Ripley pulled out his wallet and handed over a fifty. ‘You know, if your dad has really cut you off for good this time it doesn't matter what you do. You are free, man.'

Dan hadn't thought of it that way. He'd been too busy lamenting the loss and trying to find a way to survive. Drinking in a pub wasn't the way to do it. It was expensive.

‘I'm also flat broke, wise guy. Can you silver line that for me?'

Ripley shook his head. ‘You've just got to dig in.'

‘Easy for you, your parents supported you.'

‘Not the way yours did.'

Dan sighed. He might as well tell Ripley his plan to make something extra. ‘I'm going to try selling some of the other stuff I've written.'

Ripley sat up a little straighter. ‘The stuff I've heard that isn't for the band?'

‘Yeah.' Ripley had called it teen top forty. It was. It was the kind of stuff he wrote to unwind. But it also meant that it still needed arranging. However, that could be worked on and the artist could put their stamp on it.

‘Give me your agent's details. I know a guy who would be interested. Great voice, can't write. He needs a silent partner.'

‘Ex of yours?'

‘Oh hell no. I can't date creatives. One prima donna in the house is plenty. Two would be impossible.' He gave a shudder, but took the business card that Dan handed over. ‘Go get those beers and keep the change. I owe for the times you shouted me, or rather your dad shouted me.'

Dan made his way to the bar to get the drinks, knowing that he'd have to face Indigo again.
Screw up your courage, smile and be cool. Laugh it off.

That all fell to the wayside when he saw her and the steel in her grey eyes. She was going to eviscerate him in public.

Indigo saw Dan approach but tried to ignore him. This wasn't the first time she'd run into a guy that she knew better naked than clothed. That buzz of attraction was still there. And she kind of felt like she knew him through his music. She couldn't stop listening to her favourite band just because he'd be gloating to his friend about what they'd got up to.

He could've gone to the other end of the bar to avoid her, but he didn't. He waited until there was a gap and then stood in front of her. There was no smile on his face and he looked far too serious for this early in the week.

Indigo forced out a breath, but she didn't waste her time forcing a smile. ‘What can I get you?'

‘Two of the pale ales.' He watched as she poured the first one.

She wasn't going to make this easy for him and make idle chitchat.

‘Ripley didn't mean any harm; he just likes being the centre of attention.'

‘Hmm.' That wasn't an apology. He didn't owe her an apology. They'd had fun, end of story. God, she'd like to get him naked again. Pour the beer and send him on his way.

‘He really does have VIP tickets to the ballet, some rock music fairytale retelling.'