More Than Anything by R.E. Blake Read Free Book Online

shopping, huh?”
    “Don’t worry. We can take side streets until we’re at the other end from P&C. That’s where all the cool shops are anyway.”
    “This is so weird. Nothing like this ever happened to me before.”
    “That’s because you were in New York. New Yorkers wouldn’t stop if you were dancing naked with a snake.”
    “Where do you get these ideas?”
    “My mind’s a cesspool. I blame it on daytime soaps.”
    “They have nude snake dancing on soaps? I had no idea what I was missing.”
    “Come on.”
    She takes my hand, and we bolt across the street and hang a right, then slow to a jog as we round the corner onto Waller Street and make our way east to Buena Vista Park. There are no throngs with pitchforks and torches – or cell phone cameras – so I relax, and soon we’re in a shop that hasn’t turned its inventory since the sixties.
    Melody convinces me to buy a too-tight top that says ‘Girl Power’ in bold letters ringed by an orange starburst, and a pair of hip-hugger bell bottoms I know I’ll never wear. She rewards herself for her advice with a tank top that features Bruce Lee’s shirtless torso, which oddly enough looks great on her. Then again, everything looks good on Melody.
    She tries to convince me to get a haircut at a trendy shop on the corner, but I’m not feeling that adventurous.
    “I don’t want to be trapped in a chair with wet hair if anyone else recognizes me,” I say, and she pouts.
    “I can’t believe you. If I was you, I’d be waving my hands, screaming my name over and over.”
    “Just one of the many mysterious differences between us,” I agree, which settles things.
    We stop at an organic restaurant and peck at super-expensive rabbit food for half an hour, and then my phone rings. When I hear Derek’s voice, I feel a surge of joy in my chest.
    “Derek! Thank God.”
    “What’s up? You sound…frazzled.”
    I tell him about my morning.
    “But you escaped, right?”
    “I did. But it was close. I almost had to chew a paw off.”
    “They taste kinda like chicken.” He hesitates. “How’s your mom?”
    I consider several possible responses, then opt for blunt. “She’s dying. If not this time, soon.”
    That stops any discussion in its tracks. He clears his throat. “When are you coming back?”
    “I…the label wants me to record in Los Angeles. I tried saying no, but they didn’t give me a choice.” I tell him about Sebastian.
    “You got Sebastian Stalt to do your record?”
    “Yeah. Pretty cool, huh?”
    “I’ll say. They’re still–”
    The line goes dead with a beep, and my phone blinks at me. The battery’s dead. I’m such a loser. I forgot to charge it last night.
    My face must look like someone kicked me in the gut, because Melody puts her fork down and tilts her head. “What happened?”
    “Phone died. Battery.”
    “D’oh.”
    I shake my head. “My plane will probably crash, too, at this rate.”
    “Or you’ll get seated next to another super fan for the flight.”
    “Maybe I should buy one of those glue-on mustaches.”
    “Yeah. That would look great with your new top.”
    By the time we make it back to Melody’s, I’ve only got fifteen minutes before I have to leave. She calls a taxi, and I plug my phone in, but it’s too little time.
    She hugs me tight at the front stoop and then cocks the Raiders hat at an angle as the cab rolls to a stop. “You look fly, girl. Nobody will ever recognize you.”
    “Tell that to Jenny.”
    “Just chill and enjoy it, Sage. You’re going to be holed up in the studio for the next month, sounds like. Have some fun while you can. You’re a frigging rock star, for crying out loud. Live large.”
    I look down at my Chucks and smile.
    “You bet. Large living, coming right up.”

Chapter 6
     
    All I can think about the entire ride to the airport is Derek. It’s not the same on the phone. He sounds different. Distant. I know I shouldn’t read too much into it, but that’s not my