"The piano player has some personal issues and she's not able to play with us for a few nights. I've listened to you playing the other night at your uncle's and I thought you could use the money. We pay $200 for each gig." George says while wiping a glass with a dry cloth behind the counter. 

Aimee raises her eyebrows. That is a considerable amount and more than she would make at the restaurant. "But, I'm a classical pianist."

The burly man seems unfazed by her answer. "A musician is a musician. You'll need some practice but I'm sure you'll be better than any other person I could find on short notice." He takes another glass and starts polishing it. "So, what is it? You're in or out?"

Josie gives her best smile. "Georgie, can you give us like five minutes?"

"Sure, I'll be in the restaurant section." And walks back to the other section.

"I can't perform in public. Even for that much money."

"You are about to leave for India for I don't know how long. This money could help you out. Besides, think of it this way. This is a bar, and you will be playing in a band where your sound mixes with others and a lead vocalist. Most people will be too drunk, some will be dancing, there will be some cheers if you guys are any good, and some boos if you suck, but there is not going to be a spotlight on you." Josie shrugs. 

Aimee takes two steps towards the stage. Her cousin was right. She needs the money. Especially, now that she is no longer tutoring Isabella. And, the spotlight would not be on her. But, could she perform? 

"Take a chance. You are taking some many right now. What's one more?" Josie says in an encouraging tone. 

Aimee ponders her cousin's words. She walks back to the restaurant and approaches George. "I'm in."

The strong man nods. "Tomorrow be here at 3 pm for rehearsal with the band. The gig starts at 9 pm. No drinking alcohol before the show, and there is a limit of three drinks after the show, otherwise, your pay is docked." he takes the music sheet from the restaurant counter and hands it to Aimee. "Learn these by tomorrow." 

Aimee takes it in her hand and walks out with Josie.

Each note was correct but foreign to her classically trained ears. Her hands practice each song carefully in the empty hall. She doesn't want to disappoint the band and Josie is right, she really needs the money. Her fingers freeze at the thought that flashes through her brain. She has no idea what it is to play with a band. She has other musicians playing with her in a concert hall but it's different. 

In a classical music concert, you are playing the music, in a specific sequence and cadence, following the rules of the composer, and the maestro that harmonizes each instrument into one single melody. But, in a rock concert, each instrument fuses with the other in a jumble of one another. Each player responds to another concert and even though you are still playing a prescribed melody, the variances are wildly different, the crowd feeds of your energy, and the band, in turn, feeds off their energy in return. 

"Having second thoughts?" Josie enquires while leaning on the door with a cup of steaming coffee in her hand.

"I'm not sure I'm fit to do this. I don't know how to be rock and roll."

Josie laughs and places the cup on the brown piano. "First of all, let's avoid saying rock and roll. This is not the sixties." 

Aimee takes the mug in her hands and inhales the sweet smell of morning coffee. 

"Just see how the rehearsal goes." 

Aimee sips the black liquid in her mouth and savours it. 

"And, no more practising. You'll practice with them at 3 pm and get the gist of it. Let's find you something 'rock and roll' to wear." 

Aimee giggles at her emphasis and follows her cousin back to the main house.

At 2:30 p.m. Aimee enters the restaurant. George glances at her and smiles. "You're early. I like that." He looks at her attire. 

Aimee suddenly feels self-aware. Josie selected the ensemble and made sure the only colour on her is the red that adorns her lips. Aimee has a short black skirt with a black Ramones tank top, with black stockings and knee-length boots, and Josie's leather jacket. 

"And, your look is spot on." 

Aimee smiles relieved. 

"Jamie and the boys are already there fine-tuning their instruments." He gets out of the counter and signals Aimee to follow him to the back.

The band is composed of two men and a girl. The girl has coral blue hair and is wearing black pants and a white tank top, while the two men also wear black, one with a Nirvana t-shirt, whilst the other sports a black shirt that is cut open diagonally. 

"Jamie, this is the girl. Aimee this is Jamie, Oscar, and Theo. Guys, this is Aimee, she will be covering for Gaby while she is away." Aimee nods at them nervously.

Jamie jumps from the stage and walks towards them. "Nice outfit. I thought you said she is a classical pianist."

"She is," George replies.

"You are pretty rad for a classical pianist."

Aimee's cheeks flare. "My cousin helped me out. I normally don't wear this."

Jamie inspects her up close. "Well, you should. It suits you. Welcome to Rattlesnake and thanks for the assist. We would be screwed without someone playing the keyboard."

"Don't thank me yet. I might screw it up."

Jamie smiles, "We will see. Who's your cousin?"

"She's Josie's family. Fig Tree's Josie."

"You are Josie's cousin? She's rad." Oscar says while pulling his black hair behind his ears. 

Aimee chuckles, "That she is."

"Well, let's see what you got for us, Mozart." Theo extends his hands to help Aimee up to the stage. 

Aimee smiles at the impromptu nickname and takes Theo's hand that propels her forward. Aimee goes towards the electronic piano and plays with some of the keys and functions to familiarise herself with it. 

"Whenever you're ready," Theo says while the rest of the band members take their places. 

Three nights pass and Aimee has never felt so comfortable displaying her piano skills since the accident. Although during her first night there were some mishaps, she quickly managed to fix them in a way that only the band was aware of them. By her third night, she's not only playing flawlessly, but actually pitching with the backup vocals, and loving every minute of it. 

Tonight, Aimee feels particularly on fire, her voice is fusing with Jamie's effortlessly, and she even taps her feet rhythmically to the notes. It wasn't one of her classical concerts but it's thrilling nonetheless.

"Thank you very much, and we were Rattlesnake," Jamie announces. 

Aimee gets out of the stage accompanied by the rest of the band. 

"Stay for a few drinks," Oscar asks.

"Yeah, this was a great concert. One drink, Mozart." Theo also chips in teasingly. 

Aimee has warmed up to the three members of the band and while her membership is only temporary, she feels happy to have the company of fellow musicians, even if they don't really speak her music tonality. 

"Ok but I'm buying," Aimee announces and makes her way to the bar.

"You guys were great out there," George says. 

"Thanks, it felt great. Can I get four beers? You can deduct one from my money for tonight."

George takes four beer bottles and opens them up. "On the house, you guys deserve it."

Aimee gets the bottles in her hand. "Thank you." and turns around to head to the bands' table. She bumps into Callum. "Callum? I didn't know you were here tonight."

The twins have barely spoken with one another since the fight. This has been the longest they have been angry with one another and doesn't even rival the pettiest of fights of their younger selves. 

"That was pretty amazing," Callum says. "I could barely believe it when Josie told me about it but here you are, playing again."

"It's hardly what I used to play."

"But, you are back on a stage with people listening to you. That's something."

Aimee holds the bottles with both her hands and points to the table where the band is stealing thirsty glances at the hold-up with the beers. 

"Do you want to meet the band?" she asks. 

"Sure" he replies. 

Aimee starts walking towards the group that has taken a seat at the back of the bar. 

"Let me help you with these." Callum takes two bottles from Aimee's hand. "Sis?" Callum holds up Aimee with his free hand. "I'm sorry about lashing out at you. It feels I keep doing that lately."

"We're just out of sync, aren't we?"

Callum smirks at the comment. "Maybe we need to talk. Just me and you. Clear the air. It's not us. And, I miss you."

"Let's go to the beach together tomorrow morning?" 

Callum nods and smiles. 

She gives him a subtle hint to follow her. "Where's Ana?"

"Sitting with Josie."

"Get them and join us." She places the bottles on the table. "Hey guys, this is my brother, Callum." She points to each one of them in sequence. "This is Oscar, Theo, and Jamie."

"Nice to meet you, man," Oscar says.

"You too. I'll get them here?" Aimee nods and Callum disappears into the crowd.

"That's your brother?" Jamie asks, "You guys look really similar."

Aimee sits down and takes her first sip of alcohol. "Yeah, I know. We keep hearing it."

Callum brings Josie and Ana back to the table and soon the seven of them are talking animately with the music in full blast. Three rounds of intoxicants later, and Aimee starts feeling her inhibitions dissipating. 

"Hey, let's dance," she says to the group. 

Callum, Ana, and Jamie join her on the dance floor while the others stay back talking to Josie, which turns out knows all the band members back from her school days. Aimee sways her body to the rhythm of the music. She eyes her brother that dances with the pretty Brazilian and observes how he looks at her. 

"They make a cute couple!" Jamie screams in her ear. 

Aimee nods in agreement. 

"Do you have someone?" she asks. 

Aimee's thoughts flicker between the Aussie and the Geordie. "Nothing serious," she responds. 

"So, why are you going to India?" she enquires.

"Adventure."

"You going alone?" 

Aimee shakes her head. "The nothing serious will be coming with me." Jamie giggles while Aimee thinks of his blue eyes and the passionate kisses shared with another. 

"I'm going to get some fresh air," Josie announces to Oscar and Theo. She makes her way through the crowd and heads outside. 

The cool breeze hits her and her drunkenness melts away with the wind running through her. She opens her eyes when she hears familiar laughter and sees Liam smoking a cigar a few steps away with George. She leans in the pillar, trying to merge with the mass of rock, steel and cement, and avoiding being seen by the two men.

"I need to place another order tomorrow. Tonight was a good night for business." George says.

"I'll come by tomorrow morning before going to the company and we can go over the numbers together," Liam says while taking a puff of smoke. "She was amazing tonight." 

Josie listens in closely.

"Yeah, she's really good. I was worried you were going to drive my business down to toilet drain with a classical pianist in a rock band, but she's been pulling her weight alright." He coughs some of the smoke while exhaling. "But, man you are paying steep. You are paying Gaby to stay home, and paying this girl to play in the band. On top of that paying me to clear my debts."

Liam stares at the starlit sky and takes another drag from the burning stick. "She's worth it. Just to see that smile on her face."

The two men finish their cigarettes. "I'm heading back inside. You coming?"

"Nah, man. Long day ahead for me tomorrow. Keep an eye on her for me?"

George taps Liam on the shoulder and makes his way back inside. He glances to his right and sees Josie trying to cower to avoid being detected. 

"Josie?" 

Liam turns around and sees the brunette reappearing from behind the pillar. 

"You ok?" George asks.

"All good just needed some fresh air." She responds glancing at Liam that has now his hands in his pockets and is staring at the street. 

"Ok, see you tomorrow, Forsyth."

Liam holds his left hand and waves him goodbye. 

Josie shuffles awkwardly. "I guess I should go back inside."

"How much did you hear?" he asks.

"Enough" Josie sighs, "You really are paying George's debts so Aimee can play here?" 

Liam takes another cigarette and lights it up. 

"Why?" 

He shrugs in response.

"You can't possibly be doing this out of guilt."

Liam takes a puff and stares again at the sky. "Did you see her smile tonight? The way she played? I just want her to smile."

"She is still going to India, Liam. This is not going to change it."

"Yes, you made it clear that she moved on." he exhales frustrated. 

"She hasn't moved on. She has met someone and she's trying really hard to forget you but you're making it really hard for her to put you behind her."

"I don't want her to move on from me."

"You have to." Josie insists. 

"I broke up with Grace."

"it doesn't change a thing."

"I love her," he confesses for the first time aloud. 

"I actually believe you." Josie sighs, "But, you and I know that you are not a free man." Josie says softly. 

Liam gulps. "Does she?"

Josie shakes her head. "Not my business to tell her, if you stay away. Regardless of how you feel, you need to stay away. She needs stability in her life. Are you the guy that is going to give her that?" 

Liam looks down at his feet. 

"I thought so too. I'm sorry mate. I need to look out for her." 

Josie walks back inside and leaves a frustrated Liam all by himself. 

Author's Note:

Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash