[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

remain silent. He turned it off after he left the hospital, his head
and stomach aching. He thought about calling Christopher in
fact, he couldn t stop thinking about it. Just hearing the other
man s voice would probably do wonders to calm his nerves. But he
wouldn t be able to talk to Christopher and sound normal. All of
the anger and sadness and frustration still swirled through him, so
close to the surface that Gage feared he wouldn t be able to rein it
in. If he called Christopher, he would just worry him. Which
wouldn t do either of them any good at that point.
Plus, he didn t want to talk about his family. He didn t want to
answer questions about the fight, or how his father was doing, or
any other reasonable question Christopher was sure to have. He
just wanted the knot in his stomach to untie itself. He wanted to
play, but he didn t have his guitar or a stage. He thought about the
Roxy and the knot in his stomach only tightened. What had he
given up to for this mad errand? For this pointless mission? He just
wanted the world to make sense again for a little while. It always
did when he was playing.
 Hey. Got any live music tonight? Gage asked.
The bartender cast a surly eye at him.  Yeah.
 Great. Who?
 Austin Packard.
115
LEO: ALL THAT YOU ARE
Gage swallowed, certain that he couldn t be hearing that right.
 Who?
 You haven t forgotten me already, have you? a familiar voice
said from behind his shoulder.
He already knew what he d see when he turned around, and
except for a few details, Austin looked exactly the same. Dark,
intense eyes set in a narrow face. The black hair flopping over his
forehead, though the rest of it was sheared close rather than long
and shaggy like it had been in school. He was shorter than Gage by
an inch or two, a disparity that had always seemed greater because
Austin was so skinny, but time had filled him out a little bit, his
arms and legs less gangly and more whipcord toned.
The expectant smile was still the same, though.
 Since when do I have the power to make Gage Kimball
speechless? Austin said when he didn t respond right away.
 Unless you re the Bad Gage, and we need to find the Good Gage
and get you both into the transporter before you die.
That startled a laugh out of Gage, even though laughing was
the last thing he felt like doing.  I didn t expect to run into you
tonight. Sit down. Let me buy you a beer.
Austin slid onto the seat beside him, noting Gage s drink with a
lifted brow.  You re drinking? Since when? He grinned.  Though
you re giving my Bad Gage theory a run for its money, that s for
sure.
 Austin, you have no idea. I think Good Gage has gone on a
permanent vacation.
His smile split even wider.  Then am I ever glad I m around to
see this. He nodded at the bartender, who handed him his own
beer. Austin lifted it in a toast.  To old friends.
 To old friends, Gage echoed, touching his bottle to Austin s.
116
LEO: ALL THAT YOU ARE
 Maybe we could jam a little after your show for old time s sake.
 Absolutely. Austin said it with such vehement excitement,
Gage knew it was genuine.  You re the whole reason I m even
here tonight. I never would have had the nerve to try something
like this if it wasn t for you.
Gage frowned with disbelief.  Really? But you ve always been
so good. And I know other people used to tell you so.
Austin shrugged.  It just seemed kind of pointless to try when
you were still in town. Why would anyone listen to me when they
could have you?
Gage barked laughter again.  So when you say I m the whole
reason you re here tonight, what you really mean is that you re
happy I left town.
 Only because I finally get a shot. He took a deep swig of his
beer, his eyes never leaving Gage s face.  Whatever you re doing,
it looks good on you. I like the beard.
 Thanks, Gage said, rubbing his chin.  It s about time
somebody noticed.
He paused to order another beer, already feeling a bit buzzed.
This was better than the night he got drunk at the Red Fin on
tequila. Austin took another swallow of his beer and shot him a
small, almost shy smile. They d known each other since high
school, sharing a mutual circle of friends after they d graduated.
They d never been particularly close, but he d always respected
Austin s determination. He wasn t a naturally gifted musician, but
that didn t stop him from practicing until his fingers were
shredded. Gage cast his mind back, gathering up the details he
could still remember about Austin s life.
 You still working at your dad s restaurant?
 Only when I have to. Which unfortunately is most of the time.
117
LEO: ALL THAT YOU ARE
What about you? How re you paying your bills these days?
 I ve got some regular gigs in LA now. There s a place I play
three or four times a week, and I ve been picking up other shows.
In fact, I was supposed to play the Roxy Room tonight. Instead,
I m here, of all places.
Austin s eyes turned into saucers.  The Roxy Room? Are you
shitting me? I mean, I always knew you were going to make it big,
but& the Roxy Room? Seriously?
At Austin s reaction, Gage realized he d given the wrong idea.
He knew he should clarify that he had just been opening for
somebody. And early enough that half the club would be empty
and the other half would be too sober to care about the music. But
Austin s smile was dazzling and the attention felt pretty nice.
 Yeah. But I haven t really had my big break yet or anything. I
still got to pay my dues.
 Well, yeah, of course, Austin hastened to say, though his
awed glances spoke volumes about his opinion on that.  So why
are you here and not there?
 My dad s sick. He had surgery today, and I thought it was best
to be here. But he s fine now. Or Gage assumed as much. He
drummed his fingertips against the cool bottle, the condensation
wetting his skin.  I just wish I had my guitar with me. I have all
this pent-up&  Gage faltered, unsure of how to describe it.
 Energy.
Austin watched his fingers for a moment before glancing up at
the stage.  Do you want to take my spot tonight? I don t mind.
Maybe it ll get your mind off everything. You can even use my
guitar if you want.
 No, Gage said quickly, touched that Austin would even offer.
 No, of course not. It s your gig, and besides, I want to hear you
118
LEO: ALL THAT YOU ARE
play. But& maybe you could close the set with a duet?
 You sing and I play? A new light came into Austin s eyes, a
warm glow that felt eerily familiar.  Absolutely. That would make
my night.
Gage nodded, satisfied. It wouldn t be as good playing a whole
show, but it would get him out of his own head for a few minutes.
He wanted needed that more than anything. Between the beer,
the music, and company who wasn t going to condemn him, he
might make it through the night after all.
 You want to choose the song?
 Why don t you surprise me? Austin pushed his empty bottle
toward the bartender as he rose from the stool. The grin he flashed
at Gage was almost playful.  It ll be kind of exciting to see what
Bad Gage wants to pull out of his musical bag of tricks.
 Oh? And you think you can keep up with&  Gage almost
smirked.  Bad Gage?
Austin was suddenly closer, leaning in and pitching his voice
lower, like they were co-conspirators and everybody else was the
enemy.  I don t know, he said.  But damned if it s not going to be
a blast to find out.
Then, he was gone, half-jogging as he headed for the stage.
Gage finished his second beer while he watched Austin tuning
his guitar and plucked the second twenty from his wallet. Austin
had always been a bit too gangly for his own good, but he didn t
look at all awkward once he got on stage. His long fingers moved [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]