Sunkissed by Kasie West (popular e readers .txt) 📕

“You’re not. Normally you’re a little harder to read,” I said back without thinking.

He smirked over at me. “Are you trying to read me?”

A group of kids ran by with water guns, laughing and squirting each other. I wiped at my arm after an errant splash of water hit me. “Yes. Yes, I am,” I said in my sarcastic voice, but I really did feel like I was constantly trying to read him and coming up short.

Brooks’s gaze was ahead of us now, aimed at Kai and Lauren.

“Did you get a chance to talk to him?” I asked.

“I did. You have nothing to worry about.”

I watched Lauren for a bit. She and Kai weren’t walking super close or anything, and from the snippets of conversation I could hear, it sounded like she was asking Kai about his history with music. I ran my thumb over my opposite palm a few times. “So did the band like the lyrics we came up with?”

“Yes, it was a miracle.”

That made me happy. “Just one more verse, then?”

“Yes.”

“So we should…” Jeez, Avery, you aren’t asking him on a date. You’re helping him. Just spit it out. “Get together again soon.”

“For sure,” he said without a second’s thought. His eyes were on Kai and Lauren again. “Kai! Break’s over! Let’s go!”

“Yes, Mom!” Kai called over his shoulder.

To me Brooks said, “Soon,” and then he was gone.

“Do you think he’ll feel well enough to practice?” Lauren asked as we headed for the theater the next night. Maricela had told me Ian was out of sick bay, so we were hopeful band practice was back on.

D was busy checking in a family at the desk, so we easily passed through the lobby unnoticed. When we walked through the theater doors, the first thing I saw was Ian standing by the microphone. Kai was sitting at the drums, and both Levi and Brooks were strapped into their guitars. But nobody was playing.

“You’re here!” Lauren called out, and ran ahead.

Ian turned his smile to her.

By the time I joined my sister, Ian was squatting down and digging through his backpack. He pulled out some papers, then moved to stand and wobbled on his feet. Lauren reached out to steady him, but he waved it off with a laugh and handed Brooks the papers. “Those are the lyrics you gave me.” He cringed and pinched the bridge of his nose, in obvious pain.

“You should sit,” I said.

“He’s leaving,” Brooks said, rolling the pages and tucking them into his back pocket.

At first I thought he just meant that he was leaving practice, but when Ian’s eyes shot to the floor, worry edged its way into my mind.

“What did the doctor say?” Lauren asked.

“Long story,” Ian said, “but my parents are here and the doctor said I have a concussion and Janelle won’t let me stay. Something about liability.”

“Wait…you’re leaving, leaving?” Lauren asked, her eyes becoming big and even more concerned.

“I know, it’s stupid.”

“Concussions are pretty serious,” I said. “You should listen to the doctor. Take it easy.”

Suddenly all eyes onstage were on me. Lauren’s held a look of betrayal.

“But what about the music festival?” she said. “My documentary?”

“I know,” he said. “That would’ve been really cool.”

Lauren looked pleadingly at Ian. “What if you just stayed around Roseville? Then you wouldn’t have to work but you could try out with the band. You’ll probably feel better in a few days anyway.”

I knew that it could take weeks to fully heal from a concussion.

Ian seemed to consider this but then said, “I don’t think my parents would go for that. And I have no place to stay.”

Kai, who had been uncharacteristically silent, started tapping ever so lightly on the drums, over and over, like the buildup to some big announcement.

“But, Brooks,” Ian said, “you should still audition. You just need to find a replacement singer.” He looked around and ended up lowering himself onto a chair, obviously still dizzy.

“Oh yes,” Levi said sarcastically. “Because that’s easy.”

“Yes!” Lauren said, ignoring Levi’s sarcasm or maybe not hearing it at all. “This still needs to happen. There has to be someone else who can sing around here. We’ve already established Kai can’t.”

“Hey,” Kai said with a final clashing strike on his cymbals.

Lauren flashed him a smile. “Brooks? Levi? You don’t sing?”

“No,” Brooks said. Levi shook his head as well.

“What about you?” Levi said, staring at Lauren. “You could sing for us. You’re loud and fun and have lots of charisma.”

I sucked in my lips, waiting to hear what Lauren thought about that. Knowing her, she would probably jump at the chance even though we both knew she couldn’t sing to save her life.

She surprised me by saying, “If only I was given a singing voice to match my star power.”

Kai groaned. “This is so pointless.”

Even though Brooks was playing this all off like it was no big deal, out of the corner of my eye, I watched his jaw tighten.

“I’m sorry, guys, I know I said I could sing one last rehearsal with you, but I have to go.” Ian was cringing again as he reached for his backpack.

Lauren gave him a gentle hug. “Get better, okay?”

“Thanks.”

“Bye,” I said from afar, not really a hugger.

The band must’ve already said their goodbyes before we got there because they all just nodded. Brooks walked him all the way to the theater doors, probably worried about his balance, before Ian waved him off.

“Well,” Kai said, stretching his drumsticks into the air. “My nights just opened wide up.”

“Brooks didn’t say we’re done,” Levi said. “Maybe we really can find a replacement.”

“Brooks didn’t say we’re done?” Kai asked. “We have half a song and now half a band.”

Brooks climbed the stairs back onto the stage.

Kai twirled a drumstick. “Brooks, Levi says you have to call it or he won’t believe it.”

“Call what?” Brooks asked.

“The end of this band.”

“You’ve been ready to blow up this band from