Wylder gaped at her brother. “Dude, that’s ridiculous. Planting hope? You’re so cheesy. The point of this project is to write a ridiculous song about an object and make it marketable. I don’t think turning it into a metaphor helps with that.”
He shrugged. “Then rhymes. Add in lots of rhymes if you want it to be ridiculous.”
Logan rubbed his cheek. “Tractor… Factor… Actor… Detractor…” He twisted an arm around Wylder’s shoulders and drew her in. “Smacked her.”
“Not that one,” Becks growled.
“Bye, bro.” Wylder hung up and pushed Logan off her, pointing at him. “Distractor.”
He grabbed her finger, leaning close. “Distract her.”
“You can’t distract me.” She jumped from the couch.
“Oh yeah, miss prissy pants?”
Whirling to face him, she scowled. “Take that back.”
“Make me.”
Lunging for the couch, she tackled him back. “I. Am. Not. Prissy.” Prissy was a word she reserved for girls like Devyn and her horse friends. Wylder went out of her way not to be girly with the gobs of makeup or constantly caring what people thought.
She dug her knees into the couch on each side of Logan, pinning him down.
He looked up at her, and his smile fell. “Wylder.” He cleared his throat.
She didn’t realize how intimate their position was until she looked down. Her cheeks heated as she heard both of their words in her mind when Becks asked if they were dating. “Ew. No.” Ew.
But this didn’t feel so ew.
The door banged open, and she jerked her head up to find Killian staring at them, his jaw hanging open.
Wylder scrambled off Logan. “We were just—”
“We weren’t…” Logan couldn’t finish his words.
Killian walked farther into the room, a smirk replacing his shock. “This is an interesting development.”
“No,” Wylder practically yelled. “No development here. I was just punishing him for being mean.”
Killian’s smile widened.
Wylder couldn’t seem to stop babbling. “Really, I hate the guy. Even though we’re friends, I really can’t stand him.”
Logan sat up. “Yeah, man, she’s detestable.”
Wylder nodded frantically. “He’s mean.”
“She’s obnoxious.”
“He’s closed off.”
“She has no boundaries.”
“He has too many.”
They shared a look, one that said so much more than the words they spoke.
One side of Logan’s mouth lifted. “She’s trouble.”
The way he said it though made her think he didn’t mind that one bit.
Killian only chuckled and threw himself onto the couch beside Logan. “Fine, you’ve convinced me. There’s nothing more than snark between you two.”
They may have convinced Killian, but Wylder now needed to convince herself.
11
“Packer, stacker.
“Tracker, McCracker.
“Green lacquer.
“Baxter.”
“Those only work if you say ‘tractor’ with a southern twang, and you’re stretching it with that last one.” Wylder scrolled through a list of words on Google.
“How about reactor?” Logan shoved his computer aside. “I don’t know about you, but I’m not feeling inspired by the fruits of my internet search.”
“Ooh, how about ‘my tractor is a velociraptor?’” Wylder looked up from her phone with a grin. “No? How about ‘my tractor manufacture is a big ol’ protractor?’”
“That first one has potential.” Logan ran a hand through his hair, scribbling a few more words into his notebook.
“Potential for a giant F on this assignment, maybe.” Wylder tossed her phone on top of Logan’s computer. “That’s it. None of the songs about tractors on Spotify are any good.”
“Good, huh? I think you’re setting the bar too high, Wylds. We’re looking for decent at this point.” Logan propped his feet on the coffee table. “Let’s just make this easy and write a fun, stupid kind of tractor song since we aren’t the ones who are going to have to sing it. And then we can spend the rest of our evening eating pizza and watching movies.”
“Yeah, that sounds good in theory.” Wylder tucked her feet under her. “But right now, someone is out there writing a song about cornfields or something equally lame, and we’re going to have to sing it and make it marketable. We need them to take this project seriously, so we have to do the same.”
“You do make a good point, but consider this.” Logan turned toward her. “What if we write the best tractor song the world has ever heard, and our cornfield counterparts just wing it? Then we have to do twice the work trying to make their crap song just as good or better than our amazing, chart-topping tractor song.”
Wylder nodded. “So you’re saying we should write an okay—decent, if you will—tractor song, but it shouldn’t be so great that it outshines whatever polished turd of a song we get to perform.”
“Exactly.”
“I like the way you think, Logan Cook.”
“Just one problem.” Logan tapped her blank notebook. “We still don’t have any lyrics.”
“We’re going to need snackies.” Wylder hopped up and went to check Logan and Killian’s food situation.
“Sure, Wylds. Help yourself.”
“What is this?” She held up a box of high carb protein bars.
“Nutritious post-workout food.”
“This is appalling.” Wylder pulled a bunch of bananas from the cupboard. “I know for a fact Killian keeps Oreos for his ‘cheat treats’ but where are your study snacks?”
“You’re looking at them.” Logan laughed. “Bananas are rich in potassium. Good brain food.”
“You clearly don’t know how to snack.” Wylder closed the cabinet door. “We’re going to need to move this to my place. A person can’t be expected to study under these conditions.”
“You might be a little ridiculous.” Logan’s phone chirped, and he frowned at the caller ID. “It’s Luke. He never calls. He’s the prince of texting.” He lifted the phone to his ear.
“What’s up, Luke?” He jerked the phone away.
Wylder could hear his brother’s frantic voice but couldn’t make out anything.
“Slow down, man. Say that again?” Logan scooted to the edge of the couch. “What? They can’t do that!” He shot to his feet, running his hand through his hair. “I’m so sorry, Luke. This is my fault.”
“… Yes, no, it’s my fault…. No, what are you, nuts? It’s a huge deal. What does Uncle Bruce say?
“Uh-huh? Well that’s crap… No, you’re right. I will. Bye.” Logan dropped back onto the couch.
“Everything okay?” Wylder set the box of protein bars back on the counter and went to sit with him on the couch.
“No. It’s not.” Logan sighed. “Luke’s tour was on pause before, but now it’s been canceled.”
“Canceled?” Wylder’s jaw dropped. “They can’t do that!” Even she knew a canceled tour could be the kiss of death to a singer’s career. This was not good.
“That’s what I said. But a bunch of the scheduled arenas pulled out of the tour because of the rumors.”
“This isn’t good, Logan.”
“Ugh, I don’t know what to do.” Logan dropped his head into his hands.
“What did Luke say?” Wylder asked.
“Said it was no big deal, there will be other tours once this blows over.”
“He’s probably right.”
“You don’t know Luke. Outwardly, it’s like he doesn’t care about anything. He won’t admit this has him scared, but inside he’s freaking out. We’re twins. I know him better than I know myself, and he’s not handling this well.”
“What does the label say?”
“They’re not happy with him, but for the moment they’re still behind him. But that could change in an instant. You k
now how it is. When an artist is painted in an unfavorable light, the label ultimately goes whichever direction the wind blows, and that’s often not in the artist’s favor.”
“How about you?” Wylder tugged on his hand, forcing him to look at her.
“What about me?”
“How are you taking this? It affects you too, you know. A canceled tour is like a bad omen for any musician—and you’re the musician in this equation.”
“It’s Luke’s career I’m worried about right now.”
“Don’t you love music?”
“Yes. I love singing and writing songs. But I don’t need the fame. I never wanted that.”
“Music is a huge part of your life, Logan. You get to sing and record songs, create music for your brother to perform—and you get paid for it. It’s your dream job. Without Luke, without his career, is there anything else you could see yourself doing? Anything you love as much as music?”
Logan’s mouth twitched into a smile. “You know, no one has ever asked me that. Through all of this—this nightmare of lies and deceit—no one’s ever thought to ask me what I want. Since we were fifteen, it’s always been about Luke. And I’ve been okay with that.”
“But?” Wylder pressed.
“But, when you and I were on stage, right before the music started, I was in a blind panic. Performing on stage in front of a huge audience has always terrified me. I freeze up, and it spirals downhill from there. It’s not pretty. But the moment that curtain of lights came on and the holograms took the stage, and I heard your voice urging me on—that was the best feeling in the whole world.
“If that’s what Luke feels every time he steps on stage, I can’t take that away from him. I don’t want to lose it either, but if it all goes away tomorrow, I’ll be okay. I can’t say the same for my brother.”
“What time is it?” Wylder grabbed his wrist to check the time on his watch. “Six-thirty, perfect.”
“What’s perfect about six-thirty?”
“Hockey game. Come on, we’ve got just enough time to make it before they do that fight for the puck thing they do.”
“They call that a face-off.”
“Whatever, we don’t want to miss it, that’s my favorite part.” Wylder tugged him up from the couch. “Let’s go find Diego, he’ll scout out the best seats.”
“Okay, but why all of a sudden do you want to go to the hockey game?”
“It’ll get your mind off this awful business with Luke, and we can show our support for Killian’s team.”
“It’s the Defiance Academy team.” Logan smiled, pulling his phone out of his pocket.
“It’s totally Killer’s team this year.”
“What about our song? We’re supposed to be working on the first verse tonight.”
“Eh, it’ll be there tomorrow. I just need to go back to my room to change real quick.” Wylder darted to the door. “I’ll meet you out front in ten minutes, don’t be late.”
“Fine, meet you in ten. Don’t forget to leave your phone in your room. They aren’t letting students into events if they have phones.”
“Gah, stupid people have to ruin it for everyone.” Wylder closed the door behind her and made her way back to the girls’ wing.
Ten minutes later, Wylder joined Logan at the front of their building.
Logan took one look at her and threw his head back with a laugh.
“What?” Wylder looked behind her.
“You look like a blueberry with that face paint on. And does Killian know you’re the one who stole his practice jersey?”
“Steal, borrow.” Wylder shrugged.
“He’s been tearing the dorm apart looking for that, you know.”
“How else am I supposed to show my support?” Wylder fell in step beside him.
“You know they sell jerseys at the arena shop, right?”
“Yeah, but those only say ‘DA Knights’ on the back. This one says ‘Killer’ it’s a one of a kind. But don’t rat me out.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it.”
“Come on, we’re going to be late.” Wylder tugged him along the pathway leading to the arena. They were some of the last to enter just before the game started, and they had to go through security to prove they didn’t have cameras, phones, or recording devices with them.
“You go find Diego. He usually sits down near the ice, and he always saves a seat for me and Dev. I’ll be there in a few minutes.” Wylder headed toward the snack bar. “Don’t let them start without me!”
“Yeah, the whole building is waiting on you, Wylds.” Logan shook his head and went to look for Diego.
Wylder talked her way to the front of the line at the snack bar, telling everyone she was Killian’s little sister, and it was the first time she was getting to see him play, and she didn’t want to miss the face-off. She made quick work of the attendant and headed back to Logan, laden with enough snacks to last them to half time or whatever the hockey equivalent was.
“Excuse me. Pardon me. Whoops, bad driver, coming through.” Wylder maneuvered down the line of seats to where Logan and Diego sat near the ice.
“Is that Wylder under there?” Logan asked.
“She’s usually the one under all the food,” Diego said.
“What?” Wylder pulled down the seat and popped her extra-large slushie into the drink holder as she sat with a tray balanced on her lap.
“You going to share with the rest of us?” Logan nabbed a nacho from her tray.
“Uh, yeah, I’m not eating all of this myself.” She slapped his hand away from her nachos. “Those are mine. I got you the popcorn.” She shoved the bucket in his lap and passed Diego a vegan corndog.
“Do I get a hotdog?” Logan asked. “You have four. And I’m pretty sure there’s some pizza under there too.”
“You get one hotdog.” She frowned, passing him the one with just ketchup and mustard.
“You totally came here for the food, didn’t you?” He chuckled.
“What? It’s my favorite restaurant on campus.” She pointed toward the ice with her hotdog. “Dinner and a show.”
“You’re all sorts of weird.” Grinning, he stood to cheer with the crowd as the Defiance Knights took to the ice.
Wylder passed her tray to Logan and stood up on her chair so she could see the teams face off.
“Go Killer!” Wylder screamed with the crowd as Killian made a brilliant save. She couldn’t wait for the day when she got to brag about her bestie, the NHL goalie.
“Nice save, Killer!” Logan cupped his hands around his mouth, his voice carrying over the roar of the crowd.
“Hey, Logan, aren’t you supposed to be on tour for your famous brother?” A snarky voice boomed behind them as the crowd returned to their seats.
“Nope,” another voice joined in. “Luke’s tour got canceled, didn’t you hear? Turns out he can’t carry a tune in a bucket.”
“Did you really think you’d get away with it, Cook?” A shower of popcorn rained down on them, and Wylder shot out of her seat.
Logan gripped her wrist, pulling her back down to her seat. “It’s not worth it, Wylds. Just ignore them.”
“Must be nice getting rich off a lie,” a female voice joined the heckling. “Who cares about the fans, right?”
More popcorn landed in Logan’s lap.
“I don’t like this,” Diego whispered, glancing over his shoulder. “It’s not right.”
“What’s not right is Logan and Luke switching places whenever they like. Which was it, Logan? Did Luke come sing for you so you wouldn’t make a fool of yourself on stage with your little girlfriend? Or is it the other way around? Are you the voice we’ve all been forced to listen to for the last couple of years?”
Logan ignored the jabs, but he sat with his hands balled into fists in his lap.
“Logan.” Wylder reached for him, not sure how to help. “You can have my pizza.” She slid the slice of cheese pizza across her tray, nudging him with her elbow, trying
to get a smile out of him.
That was when the booing started. Not for the teams playing down on the ice, but for Logan and his brother.
“Cook is a crook. Cook is a crook.” The chanting spread around them, and more popcorn and trash rained down on Logan’s head.
“I’m going to get out of here.” Logan stood, and the booing grew louder. “You guys stay and enjoy the game. I’ll see you later.” He ignored the jeering crowd like they weren’t even there.
“No way. We’re coming with you.” Diego threw his arm around Logan’s shoulder, and Wylder scrambled with her tray, using it as a weapon to push people back as they made their way to the end of the row. Her last slice of pizza and hotdog ended up in someone’s lap.
“Why does everyone hate Logan?” Diego scowled at the people still booing and chanting ‘Cook is a crook’.
Wylder and Diego flanked Logan as they charged up the steps, Wylder at war with two sides of herself. One wanted to get Logan out of there as fast as possible. The other side wanted to throw popcorn and trash back at the people saying awful things about her friend.
“They don’t know what they’re talking about, D,” Wylder shouted over the noise, not sure how to explain what just happened to her clueless friend when she didn’t really understand it herself.
Yeah, the Cook brothers might have gotten themselves in over their heads, but they weren’t crooks.
“This isn’t going to go away, is it?” Logan paced outside the arena, his breath coming out in furious white puffs.
Wylder shivered in the cool evening, regretting not bringing her coat.
“We will figure this out, Logan.”
“How? It’s over, Wylds. I don’t think there’s any coming back from this.”
12
“Riding in my tractor,” Wylder sang. “Chasing my velociraptor.”
Logan joined in. “Chasing. Chasing.”
It was ridiculous, but this was their song. Wylder grinned as her voice faded on the last notes. “And done!”
He matched her grin and leaned back against the couch. They sat on the floor of the common room Logan shared with Killian, a notebook spread out before them. “You know, this song was actually fun.”
Wylder and the Almost Rockstar (Reluctant Rockstars Book 2) Page 9
