Totally Unrelated by Tom; Ryan Read Free Book Online

home.”
    â€œLet me know next time you’re free and want to hang out,” says Sandy as I’m getting into the car. “I’d really like to jam again soon, if you’re up for it.”
    â€œDefinitely,” I say. “It was fun.”
    In the car, I try to politely answer her grandmother’s many questions about “the musical life,” but I’m dying to text Bert. As soon as she drops me off and drives away, I pull my phone out of my pocket.
    How do you feel about a girl singer? I type.

Eight
    Bert doesn’t take much convincing. That a cute girl might actually be willing to hang out with us, even if it’s just for practice, is more than enough reason to give it a try as far as he’s concerned.
    Sandy, on the other hand, is a tougher sell.
    â€œI don’t think I’m good enough,” she says when I call to ask her about it.
    â€œYou are!” I say. “You have a great voice, and you can play rhythm guitar too. It’ll be fun!”
    â€œI don’t know,” she says. “What if I look stupid?”
    â€œTrust me,” I say. “Next to Bert, you and I will look like we should be performing at the Grammys. At least come to one practice before you decide.”
    â€œOkay,” she finally agrees. “But I’m not making any promises.”
    When I arrive at Bert’s house for our first full band practice, I’m shocked to find that he’s actually cleaned his basement. Not only has the garbage everywhere been picked up, but the floor has been vacuumed, his clothes are put away, and there’s even a lit candle in the bathroom.
    â€œWhat?” he says when he sees me looking around the room with my mouth hanging open. “This is the first time I’ve ever had a girl down here. I don’t want her to think I’m a total slob.”
    â€œI’m impressed,” I say.
    â€œIt’s like you think I’m a Neanderthal or something,” he says, then belches dramatically. We both bust up laughing.
    The door at the top of the stairs opens, and his mom calls down, “Knock knock! You have company!”
    Sandy comes down the stairs, her guitar slung over her shoulder and Beast clomping after her.
    â€œSorry,” she says. “I promised I’d babysit him before we set this up.”
    Bert and Beast regard each other warily.
    â€œYou play video games?” asks Bert.
    Beast lets out an affirmative grunt, and Bert gets him set up in front of the TV with a pair of headphones.
    â€œSo,” says Sandy. “What’s the plan? What are we playing?”
    Bert and I hand her the lyrics to “Pass the Test” and do a slowed-down run-through the song. I’m impressed with Bert. Not only has he rewritten the final verse, he’s also done a lot of practicing on his drums. I’ve been working on the guitar parts, too, and I find that I’m really happy with the way it’s coming together.
    Sandy nods along as we play, her eyes on the page of lyrics. “Cool,” she says when we’re finished. “I like it.”
    â€œYou want to try singing?” I ask.
    â€œI think I’d prefer to play along a few times first,” she says. “Just to get comfortable.”
    â€œAnything we can do to make you comfortable,” says Bert suggestively. I shoot him a dirty look, but she’s getting her guitar out of her case and doesn’t seem to notice.
    We spend the next hour or so going over the song. It’s more barebones than I’m used to, just two guitars and drums, but it sounds pretty good, despite the occasional unnerving bellow or roar from Beast, who’s focused on the TV. After five run-throughs, Sandy finally starts to sing, and that’s when things really fall into place.
    â€œThat sounded great!” says Bert when we’ve finished.
    â€œHow did it feel?” I ask her.
    â€œFelt good,” she says. “It was