Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 87863 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 439(@200wpm)___ 351(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87863 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 439(@200wpm)___ 351(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
Until my cell buzzed. I glanced at the contact information my sister sent me before turning my phone upside down. I sensed a change in Charlie’s tone and realized he was saying good-bye. I came up with a new round of silly questions and closed my eyes. He was real. Nothing else mattered.
* * *
Charlie slid into the vinyl booth across from me the following morning at the IHOP, wearing a giant pair of sunglasses and a stylish yet colorful ensemble. No one else on the planet could pull off an orange-and-white checked oxford shirt, a pink V-neck sweater, and blue khakis and get away with it. He leaned forward as he lowered his glasses theatrically.
“Words can’t describe how hungry I am.”
“Try ravenous.” I rolled my eyes at his dramatic entrance before motioning to the waitress that we were ready to order. “What happened to ‘good morning’?”
“Good morning. I should warn you, I feel a serious bout of stress-eating coming on. I’m about to gain five pounds before your eyes. I’ve been so good for weeks and I can’t take it anymore.” He opened the menu and closed it as our waitress approached with a pot of coffee.
“Shall I give you a few minutes to decide?” the older woman asked politely as she poured.
“Oh, that’s not necessary. Decisions have been made. I need the biggest stack of pancakes you can fit on a plate. And lots of sides.”
“I like your style, honey. I suggest the original stack, your choice of eggs, bacon and a side of hash browns.”
“Done. I’ll have scrambled eggs, please, and instead of hash browns, can I double my order of bacon?”
“I can’t do that with a combo, but you can order a side of bacon.”
“Okay. Make it two sides,” Charlie replied, handing his menu over.
They both turned to me expectantly. “Uh…I’ll have the number one, eggs over easy, please.”
“You got it. I’ll put your order in now, boys.”
I waited until she’d moved on to the next table to address him. “Are you really gonna eat all that?”
“Yes, and I’m not sharing. Fine…I may share the bacon, but the rest is all mine. I’m careening toward a ledge. Carb overload might slow me down.”
“Okay, I’ll bite. What’s wrong?”
“Nothing really. I’m just nervous.”
“About what?”
“Everything. You and me, fixing my snafu with the band…you know, life. I need to figure out a new plan we can execute quickly so we can get Zero’s first album out at the beginning of the year. My goal is fame within a year and rich and famous within two.”
“You don’t have to worry about you and me. We’re fine and we’re in this…whatever this is…together. And for the record, none of us cares about being rich or famous, Char. We just want to make music.”
Charlie fixed me with a sharp look. “Oh, please. That’s what they all say. I know it’s an uphill climb, and there’s a ton of social media noise to contend with. Everyone will want to know what you’re wearing, who you’re sleeping with, and you’ll have to worry about—”
“Hey, you’re not listening. I’m never gonna worry about what anyone else thinks. I don’t care about fame or fortune or anything else that’s gonna mess with my head. I’m here for the music. Period,” I assured him. “What’s the point in future-tripping anyway? Take it one day at a time. Me, you, Zero…”
“It’s not that easy for me. I haven’t slept well in days. I wake up at three a.m. worrying about things I can’t control. Like what if the music comes with things you guys don’t count on, like fans who get too personal and want pieces of you? I know how this works. The second Zero releases an album, the real promo starts. Millions of people will want to know about your sex life, your family life, your previous relationships, your previous career, your—”
“Millions of people?” I scoffed. “I doubt it, Char. I’m not that interesting.”
“We had sex this weekend! I’m a guy. That’s very fucking interesting,” he hissed loud enough for the couple next to us to do a double take.
I gave our neighboring table an apologetic smile before turning to Charlie. “Lower your voice. Hey. What’s going on with you? You’re shaking. How much coffee have you had this morning?”
“One cup.” He set his big glasses back on his nose and turned to the window. “This is the real me, Ky. I’m a mess. I’m usually better at concealing the crazy, but I haven’t been able to relax since…you know.”
I regarded him for a long moment, then patted the empty space beside me on the bench. “Come sit next to me.”
He ripped his glasses off and gaped. “Next to you? Are you nuts?”
“Nope. Come here. Just until your food arrives.”
“Why?”
“Stop asking questions and get over here. If you’re uncomfortable, you can go back.”