On in fifteen.
In the audience, his family took up two of the larger booths in the back and two tables right in front of the stage. All of his siblings had shown up, along with their spouses. Ms. Pennie had ridden with him and Aria. Brent had arrived a few minutes ago with a date.
“You good?” Martel stood next to him, his eyes on the crowd.
He glanced at his friend. The two had been friends for years, having met in college. Aside from Aria and his family, Martel was the only other person who knew he played as seriously as he did. He’d even let Martel use his in-home studio on several occasions to record.
“I’m okay,” Myles said.
“I’m glad you said yes this time.”
Myles let out a slow breath. “Me, too.”
The announcer hopped up on stage. “Hello, everyone. We have a great act for you tonight. A crowd favorite, Martel Pierce, is in the house.” A chorus of cheers, whistles and claps filled the air.
The announcer went on to give updates on the upcoming acts before he introduced the Pierce Band. Myles followed Martel out of the small hallway. He took a seat at the piano, ran his fingers lightly over the keys.
Martel didn’t make any announcements, didn’t pick up the microphone to wax poetic about the love of music or even to thank the audience for coming. That would come later, right after the first set. Instead, Martel just did the lead-in count and they started to play.
When Myles played his first chord, he knew he’d made the right decision. It felt amazing, his fingers on the keys, watching his fingers on the keys, playing for the audience. It felt like home. As his fingers pounded on the piano, found their groove within the rhythm, Myles got lost in the notes. The melodic wail of the saxophone, the distinctive sound of the trumpet, the beat of the drums, the boom of the bass and strum of Martel’s guitar set the tone and the pace. Myles slipped into the fray like he’d been doing so for years.
The crowd shouted, some voices hollering out “yeah” or “go ‘head.” As the first song ended, they moved into a rendition of “People Make the World Go Round,” originally recorded by the Stylistics. The transition was seamless, with no break between. Halfway through the song, Myles thought he could do this often. The rush, the feel of the dim lights on his skin, was addictive.
Martel raised a hand sometime during the third song, signaling them to drop the music to a lower octave. He picked up the microphone and thanked everyone for coming. “I want to thank you all for supporting me over the years. It’s always good coming back to the Lounge, where the greats have played before me and the newcomers will play after me.”
The crowd roared.
“I want to introduce you to my band.”
Myles knew what came next. The solos. As Martel called each bandmate’s name, that person would be able to do whatever on their instrument. He played along as his friend announced each of them.
“And I would like to introduce a special guest tonight,” Martel said, after a sick solo from the bass player, Mike. “I’m down a pianist, and I called on a good friend.” He pointed at Myles. “Dr. Myles Jackson. It’s all on you.”
Myles picked up the volume, tapping the keys with an intensity he reserved for home. The notes floated up in the air and spread out like he owned the place. Now, he really understood what Aria had told him all along. He could play his music and perform life-changing surgery and be good at both.
When his solo was done, he registered the applause and the whistles that were no doubt coming from his brothers. Martel took over the stage, killing it with a guitar solo. Myles stared out into the audience, meeting the smiling gazes of his family members as they grooved to the music. There was one set of eyes he was searching for. Aria. He grinned when he saw her, one arm raised, eyes closed. The other hand was splayed over her heart as she swayed to the tempo. He couldn’t look away from her. She moved like she was totally captivated by the music, and he was captivated by her. Finally she opened her eyes and caught his gaze. She smiled and blew a kiss his way.
The set was over far too soon, in his opinion. But the last song ended, and Martel announced they would be back in half an hour.
Once they were off the stage, Martel clasped his back. “That was sick, man. I’m telling you, I need you on the stage more often.”
“I need to be on that stage.”
They talked about the next set for a few minutes, before Martel excused himself. Myles walked over to his family. Big hugs, strong handshakes and a score of congratulations greeted him when he made it to them.
“Bruh.” Ian gave him a man hug. “I have to say, I’m proud of you, man. You tore that stage up.”
“Thanks, bruh. I had fun up there.”
“I could tell. I think you caught the bug.”
“You may be right,” Myles agreed. “It was intense. I loved every minute of it.”
“Good.” Ian squeezed his shoulder. “I’m glad to be in the house for this.”
Bailee hugged him. “Myles, I cried. You were so good.”
“She cries at the moon nowadays,” Ian said, flinching when Bailee socked him in the shoulder. “Just playin’, baby.”
“Anyway.” Bailee rolled her eyes hard at Ian. “I’m going to tell everyone I know about this place. It’s a gem. And that chicken was the bomb.”
Myles laughed. Bailee was from Columbus, Ohio. She’d only lived in the area a little over a year. “My brother should have brought you here a long time ago.”
“He sure should have,” she agreed.
Mel wrapped an arm around Myles’s shoulder and kissed his cheek. “My brother is a beast on that piano!”
Myles gave Ian a fist bump and waited for Ian and Bailee to take their seats again before he turned to embrace his little sister. “Thank you.”
Mel leaned back, peered into his eyes. He saw the tears standing there. “I’m so excited for you, Myles. I can’t wait to see your name on the Mylar.”
“I think you’re getting ahead of yourself, sis.”
“I’m not. You just make sure you call me if that ever happens. I will be on the first plane back for that.” Myles muzzled his sister’s hair, laughing when she smacked his hand away. “Dude, stop messing up my hair. I have a date.”
He looked over her head at the guy in question. He’d met him earlier and wasn’t impressed. “Are you sure he’s smarter than a fifth grader?”
Mel choked on the drink she’d just sipped. “Oh, my God. You’re stupid!”
“I’m serious, Mel. He doesn’t seem like he’s on your level.”
“Peter is an accomplished man,” she argued. “He’s a professor at University of Michigan.”
“Sounds pretty boring.”
“Says the serious twin?”
“Ha. You got jokes.”
“Lots of them.”
Mel would be leaving for New York in a few days. Myles thought this might be the last time they were all together in the same room for a while. He couldn’t help but feel sad at that prospect, even though he was proud of his sister for stepping out on her own. He hugged her again. “Mel, I’m proud of you. I’m going to miss you.”
She squeezed his neck tighter. “Stop making me cry in front of my date,” she whispered. “I’m going to miss you, too, big brother.”
Mel pulled away from him and went back to her man. Myles smiled at Ms. Pennie, who was tapping her foot to the recorded music playing over the speakers.
He leaned down. “I’m glad you made it.”
When Ms. Pennie had told him she wanted to come, he was a little concerned about her being out so soon after a short stint in the hospital for pneumonia. But she’d insisted, telling him that if something should happen, at least she was around a bunch of doctors.
“Boy, you did it.” Ms. Pennie kissed him on the cheek.
“I did. And it was because of
you that I was able to get out there and do well.”
She shot him a watery smile. “I didn’t do anything. It was all you.”
“What did you think of my solo?”
“Excellent.” She gave him a high five. “Although, I wish you would have switched up the tone and gone softer in the middle before closing it out. And make sure you’re sitting with your back straight.”
Myles chuckled. “Always the teacher.”
Ms. Pennie patted his cheek. “You did good, boy. I’m so proud of you. And Aria? That girl wouldn’t stop smiling. She’s in love with you.”
“I love her, too.”
“I knew it!” She barked out a loud laugh. “I want a front seat at that wedding.”
“Ms. Pennie, slow down.”
“Whatever, boy. You’ll be married before next spring. Mark my words.”
Myles talked to Ms. Pennie for a few more minutes before he stood, intent on making it to Aria before the next set started.
“Myles!” Avery shouted, blocking his path to Aria. “You are... Brother, you’re amazing. I can’t believe you haven’t done more with your music.”
“I know,” he said.
“But that’s all going to change. I have news.”
He frowned. “What news?”
“I shared your CD with my production team, and they want to use one of your songs for the opening of my new show.”
Myles blinked. “What?”
When had Avery heard his original work? The thought sobered his mood. While he’d made the huge step to play in public tonight, he had no intention of sharing his own music with anyone just yet.
“How did you hear my song?” he asked.
Aria.
“Myles, you’re blessed with talent in so many areas,” Avery said, ignoring his question. “I can’t wait to work with you. We’ll talk soon. I have to order some of that chicken.”
Avery walked over to Love, and they broke out in a fit of laughter. Myles turned to Aria, who was talking to Brent. He wondered why she would let Avery hear something that was so private to him, something that he’d told her he hadn’t let anyone hear.
Brent tapped Aria’s shoulder and pointed at Myles. Aria turned and smiled before hurrying over to him. She hugged him.
“Baby, you were brilliant up there.” She brushed her lips over his. “Oh, my God! You were in a zone. I’m so happy for you.”
“Aria.”
“See! I told you. You can pursue your music and still be a surgeon.”
“Really?” A surge of anger shot through him. He’d chosen to go public with his music. It had been his choice. She knew how important that was, and she’d betrayed him if she’d given his music to someone else to use publicly. “Is that why you took matters into your own hands?”
She frowned and leaned back. “What? I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“I think you do know.”
Needing to put some distance between them before he said something he regretted, he walked away.
* * *
Aria stared after Myles as he disappeared around the corner toward the bathrooms.
“Everything okay?” Brent asked.
“I don’t know.”
She replayed the conversation and couldn’t figure out what had happened. Onstage, Myles was perfect. He’d played with abandon, slipped into the music like he was born to play it. Even when the set ended, the smile on his face had still been there. She’d watched him talk to his brothers and Mel. She had seen him hug Ms. Pennie. Somewhere between them and her, things had changed. He was pissed. At her.
“Aria.”
She turned, surprised to find Dr. Law standing there. When did he get here?
“Hello.” She shook the older man’s hand. Normally, she would give a hug, but she suspected it wouldn’t be a welcome gesture. “I didn’t know you were coming.” She cleared her throat.
“I heard that my son was playing here tonight, and I wanted to see it for myself.”
“Your son is excellent. He played wonderfully on that stage. You should be proud.”
“Is this what you wanted all along?”
Aria folded her arms over her breasts. She wouldn’t back down. Not tonight. Despite Myles’s behavior toward her, she knew that he needed his father’s support. “Excuse me?”
“I’m assuming you’re the one that put this ludicrous idea of having a music career in his head. My son is a surgeon, with skilled hands meant to cut. Not play.”
“Did you hear your son on that stage? I mean, really listen to him? His hands were made to touch those keys.”
“So you can have a successful and wealthy musician as a beau?”
Aria shook her head. “I’m not sure who you think I am, but I don’t need your son’s money.”
“I know who your father is, Aria Bell.”
She shrugged. “Okay. And your point? What does my father have to do with my money? See, I don’t need his money or Myles’s money. I have my own, from years of making a name for myself in the art world, from my business bringing in money daily. This isn’t about me. This should be about him.”
“It is about him. And the fact that since he’s been your friend, he’s made decisions that have taken him off his path.”
Aria tried not to flinch at Dr. Law’s use of the word friend. He’d meant it like a slap to the face because that was exactly how it felt. “You mean your path for Myles.”
“Whatever,” Dr. Law said. “The point is, he was just fine working on something that will benefit his pockets for years. He doesn’t have time to devote to flights of fancy.” He turned his nose up at her, probably taking in the pink streaks in her hair.
“You know, I’ve been with Myles for a while. I’ve talked to him about his dreams and his goals. Music is a part of him, just like medicine. He can do both. That’s all I’ve been trying to tell him from the beginning. I don’t want him to give up one or the other. I’ve encouraged him to follow his heart. That’s what a real friend does.”
Dr. Law tilted his head and studied her, almost like he was seeing her for the first time.
“The fact is, I love your son,” she continued. “I only want the best for him. I know that Myles would love to have your support on this. It would be nice if you could do that for him. Not because I’m asking, but because he’s your son. And he’s good. He’s so amazing. At everything he does. He deserves to hear that from you.” She wiped a tear that escaped from her eye. “Have a good night.”
Aria walked around Dr. Law and took her seat next to Brent, just in time for the next set to start. The band made their way back to the stage, and she watched as Myles took his seat at the piano. To a person that didn’t know him, he probably looked normal, no different than he did before. But to Aria, he looked stiff and uncomfortable on the bench. His fingers moved over the piano keys with precision, but he didn’t sound as free as he had during the first set. Still good, but she could tell his mind was on something else.
She thought about what he’d said to her. Is that why you took matters into your own hands? She turned his words over and over and couldn’t figure out why he’d said that. What did he think she did? If he had something to accuse her of, he should have just come out with it. And it had better be true.
The crowd ate up the second and third song in the set, but Aria couldn’t help obsessing over him. When Martel announced the final song a while later, she recognized it immediately. It was the same song he’d played for her at his house that first time. “In a Sentimental Mood.” Memories of that night, the way he’d sounded, the way he’d smelled, the way he’d made love to her, filled her with hope and dread. Hope because she wanted to feel that again. Dread because she wasn’t sure she would.
She stared at him, willed him to meet her gaze. But he wouldn’t look at her. Once the last note w
as played, Myles stood with the rest of the band and waved at the crowd. Then he disappeared in the back while other band members joined their guests in the lounge area.
Sighing, Aria tapped Brent on the shoulder. “What are you doing tonight?”
“Taking her home.” He gestured to his date, who was sitting with her arms clasped in her lap. “Why?”
“Do you mind taking me home?”
Brent frowned. “What about Myles? Didn’t you ride with him?”
“Yes.” She smiled. A little too wide for Brent not to know it was fake. “Look, don’t ask any questions. Let’s just go. I have a terrible headache.”
“Okay. Are you ready now?”
Aria looked toward the hallway that led to the back room. She pulled out her phone and shot Myles a quick text. Bravo! Are you coming out?
Moments went by. No answer. She lifted her gaze to Brent. “Yeah. I’m ready.”
Standing, Aria said quick goodbyes to everyone in attendance, ignoring the concerned looks on all of their faces.
“Bye, Ms. Pennie. I’m going to ride home with Brent.”
Ms. Pennie frowned. “What? Are you okay, child?”
“I’m fine. I’ll talk to you Tuesday. I’ll come around noon to take you shopping.”
“Okay,” the older woman said. “How about I call you tomorrow?”
“Sounds good.”
Aria waved one last time before she followed Brent and his date out of the place.
Chapter 15
Myles paced the small area in the back reserved for musicians. Martel had jumped back on the stage for a solo set, while the other band members were in the audience with their guests, so he had the room to himself.
He was torn between being upset at Aria for giving Avery his CD without asking and being upset with himself for reacting the way he did. Then, there was the unease in his gut, the feeling that he was missing something that didn’t sit right.
When he’d talked to her, she didn’t seem like she’d done anything wrong. Maybe I’m wrong? He knew Aria; he’d devoted himself to learning all of her quirks. He’d memorized the inflections in her voice and the lines in her face. He’d lost himself in the liquid pools of her eyes.
Spark of Desire ; All for You Page 38
