Everything

by Melissa Pearl

  Angel roused as I walked into the room and she started crying immediately. I pulled out her warm hoodie and thick socks, gently putting them on her before strapping on my front pack and nestling her inside. Grabbing the diaper bag off the floor, I checked that my wallet was inside before throwing a soft blanket over my baby and walking for the door.

  “Come on, Angel, let’s get out of here.”

  Chapter Seven

  Leo

  “Dream Big” by Ryan Shupe and The Rubberband was blasting in my ears as I trotted down the stairs and out onto the street. It was my new anthem, and I’d lost count of how many times I’d listened to it over the last couple of months. Since my chat with Kev, I’d thrown caution to the wind and jumped after my dreams. My mother hadn’t spoken to me since I refused the Director of Music offer and bought a ticket to the States. It was surprisingly liberating, and although I’d love to patch things up with her at some stage, I certainly wasn’t missing her. Dad kept me updated in his weekly emails. By the sounds of it, now that her golden boy was gone she was throwing all her pressure and attention onto her baby girl. It hadn’t taken my sister much to forgive me. If anything, I think she was lavishing the attention.

  “She can have it.” I chuckled under my breath.

  Before heading down the street, I turned and looked up at the building Bobby had put me in charge of. It had been his way of getting me a work visa. I was now employed by my godfather as the property manager of a six-story apartment building five blocks back from the Santa Monica Pier. Apparently, I was the only man for the job. I grinned as I thought about how good Bobby had been to me. He’d pulled all the right strings to secure me this chance, and I wasn’t about to waste it.

  Sure, LA wasn’t New York or Broadway, but it was a heck of a lot closer than Sydney, Australia, and Bobby was already working on speaking with the right people. I was hoping to get a musical finished by the middle of the year so I had something decent to present. I’d had a few ideas, but nothing solid. A million melodies lived in my head, fighting for first place, but the lyrics were still amiss. What I needed was a theme...or at least a spark of inspiration that would set me on track.

  Taking a left, I loped down the street and enjoyed the sunshine. The air was crisp, but with a sky so blue, you couldn’t really complain. I tapped the paper I was holding lightly against my other hand as I walked, wondering if my plan would actually work. I’d checked with Bobby and he’d okayed it, as long as it didn’t affect the running of his building.

  I was pleased with how quickly I’d managed to settle in. I’d introduced myself to the tenants and assured them that I would take good care of them as long as they paid me their rent on time. Things were running smoothly. I knew I’d have to keep an eye on a few of them, and Ms. Thornby was going to be pretty bloody demanding, but I could handle her. I grinned as a song fired through my head. Yes, it was the perfect choice for that woman.

  Rounding the next corner, I spotted the community bulletin board I was aiming for. I’d decided to start there. It was free to pin up my notice, and if I got no bites, I’d pay for local paper advertising next week.

  I spotted a young woman standing beside the board. Her long waves of golden hair were the first thing to catch my attention, and the fact she kept wiping her face as she gazed at the various bits of paper, haphazardly attached with pins and staples. It wasn’t until I got closer that I realized she was crying. She must have spotted me out of the corner of her eye because she stiffened, a protective hand cradling the blanket-wrapped bundle attached to her front.

  Shit, I hoped she was a nanny. She was way too young to be a mother. Although, she could be one of those lucky people who looked young for their age or something.

  I didn’t say anything as I stepped behind her and searched for the best place to pin my ad.

  She sniffed, her breath a little hiccupy—she must have been crying pretty hard. Her delicate hands rubbed the bundle’s back. I assumed her baby was sleeping because she was doing that swaying thing my sister-in-law did when her kids were young. Back and forth, back and forth.

  Yeah, this blonde chick was a mum all right. Crikey, she was young.

  I couldn’t help wondering what her story was.

  She was pretty, that’s for sure. That cute little pointy nose and those round blue-green eyes, combined with the luscious locks of hair made her a real stunner.

  I found a good spot on the board and pulled a pin from my pocket, jabbing it through my bright blue piece of paper. Her eyes darted to it, but when she noticed me look at her they flicked back to the other side of the board. Another tear ran down the side of her cheek. She didn’t bother to wipe it away.

  I knew it was time for me to go, but I felt awful leaving. Her tears would tug at any guy’s heart. Pulling in my breath, I held it for a beat then turned to her, taking the bud out of my ear so she could see I wanted to chat.

  “I don’t mean to intrude, but are you okay?”

  My Aussie accent took her by surprise. I could tell by the way her eyes rounded. She got over it quickly and pulled her expression into line, giving me a small, tight smile instead.

  “I’m just having a bad day,” she murmured.

  “I’m sorry.”

  She shrugged, slashing the latest tear off her cheek and sniffing again.

  “Do you like music?”

  Again, I took her by surprise. She looked straight at me then, nearly knocked me clean off my feet with that gaze of hers. Geez, her eyes were beautiful.

  I glanced at the notice board to kill the connection but turned back when she said, “Yeah, I love music.”

  I grinned. “Me, too. If you can find the right song for the moment, it can make everything better.”

  She nodded, her smile growing slightly, although she obviously wasn’t convinced. I bet she was thinking nothing could possibly make this moment better for her.

  Time to prove her wrong.

  I had to admit, I did feel awkward having this conversation with a total stranger, but I decided that I didn’t care what she thought. I’d been trying to live up to other people’s expectations my whole life and look where it had gotten me.

  It was time for me to start being unhindered, unhampered Leo, and this crying girl next to me was as good a place as any to start.

  “There’s this great song by Jason Mraz called ‘3 Things.’ Do you know it?”

  “I know Jason Mraz, but I don’t know if I’ve heard that one yet.”

  “Well, it’s a good one. I always listen to it when I’m having a crapper of a day.”

  She bit her lips together, obviously fighting a smile.

  I didn’t know what I’d said that was so funny, but I powered on. “It somehow has this magical quality, and it always makes me feel better.”

  “‘3 Things’ by Jason Mraz.” She nodded. “I’ll look it up.”

  “Alrighty then.” I grinned, feeling proud of myself for following my instinct and talking to her. “I hope your day gets better.”

  “Thanks.” Her voice was soft, her smile sweet.

  I nodded a silent farewell and put the bud back in my ear, tugging the phone out of my back pocket and finding an upbeat song to walk home to.

  I couldn’t help a glance over my shoulder as I walked away, and a smile took over my face. She had her earplugs in and was searching for something on her phone.

  Man, I hoped my suggestion worked.

  Chapter Eight

  Jody

  I pulled out my phone as soon as the guy with the weird accent walked away. Spotify was already open, and I did a quick search on Jason Mraz. “3 Things” was on his YES! album, which I hadn’t had a chance to listen to yet. Pressing the title, I waited for my 3G to spin, and then Jason’s voice filled my head.

  I stood stock-still listening to the words as if my life depended on it. My eyes grew wide as he talked about his life falling apart and how he’d cry whenever that happened. I looked up the road and watched the guy lope away.
>
  A smile eased over my face as Jason kept singing. The music picked up with a merry tune that seemed out of place, but then the second verse kicked in. I closed my eyes and breathed in through my nose. I felt my chest expand, the cheerful song filling me with a small sense of hope.

  Were things looking up for me?

  Was this chance meeting with Mr. Weird-Accent the start of something new?

  I’d left my house in total despair, ignoring the family car and choosing to walk instead. I caught the bus and stayed on there until I reached Santa Monica. It was a freaking long trip from Pasadena, but thankfully Angel slept, and I had a chance to bring my tears under control.

  I walked to the beach once I got off the bus, ambling along the upper walkway and looking out over the ocean. Being a winter weekday, it wasn’t exactly crowded. There had been one jogger running near the water’s edge and a few families with young kids playing. I loved it over that side of town, far away from my past. Angel had woken mid-morning, and I’d stopped at a park bench and given her a little snack. I was still damn tired, and it was tempting to lie down and rest right there...like a homeless person.

  It somehow felt fitting. I did feel homeless.

  I was hindering my sister’s life by living at home. Dad obviously didn’t want me there. The best solution was to move out, but where the hell was I supposed to go?

  The song crescendoed for its final chorus, and as soon as it came to an end, I selected it again. Jason Mraz had such an amazing voice; that alone was enough to make me feel better, but this song. I felt like it’d been designed just for me, for this moment.

  That guy had totally nailed it.

  Was it some kind of divine intervention?

  Was that what had brought me to the community notice board?

  After Angel’s snack and a little Army-style crawling on the grass, I’d strapped her back against me and we’d wandered the area for a few hours, my spirits deflating with each step. Finally I’d come to a stop at the board, unable to take another step.

  Exhaustion had me crying like a little baby. I thought I’d die of embarrassment when that guy approached with his carefree swagger and that beanie perched on the top of his head. I don’t know how he did it, but this cool vibe just seemed to pulse out of him. I think it was the dull, gray beanie and the buds in his ears. It wasn’t hard to tell he was a creative type...my kind of people. At least I used to be like that, until I had a baby and lost myself completely.

  I should have scuttled away the second he came to stop beside me, but I couldn’t move. Fatigue had planted my feet in the concrete and let tears roll down my face in spite of the company.

  Thankfully, he’d been nice about it.

  I glanced up the road again. He was out of sight now. I wondered what his name was.

  He seemed sweet, had kind eyes and a smile to match. I stepped over to the notice he’d pinned on the board, wondering what he was looking for.

  FURNISHED APARTMENT FOR RENT

  Top-floor apartment, five blocks from the beach.

  Two bedrooms, one bathroom.

  Contact Leo for further information: 424-331-4659

  My insides skittered as I read the notice.

  “Leo,” I whispered, and before common sense could stop me, I lifted my phone and snapped a quick shot of the notice.

  The song came to an end and I selected it again. Angel wiggled against me, a sure sign she would be waking soon. I checked the time on my phone. She’d be ready for another feed when she woke, and it was probably time I headed back home to tidy my room and make sure dinner was on. I wanted to do some laundry, too, because I did actually know how to separate colors and whites!

  The idea of returning was like a stone in my gut, but it wasn’t as heavy as it had been that morning.

  I had an out now. Sitting on my phone was a number that could be the answer to my problem.

  It hadn’t even occurred to me at the time that there was no way in Hades I could afford to rent a two-bedroom apartment in Santa Monica. All I could focus on was the fact that maybe, just maybe, things were looking up.

  Chapter Nine

  Leo

  The lyrics still weren’t coming. I usually wrote lyrics and music together, couldn’t really do one without the other, but not this time. I had a few melodies I was falling in love with, just no words. The tunes were growing a little more each day, and I could hear the orchestra behind them as I tinkered away at the piano.

  But I hadn’t found my theme yet.

  My mind kept walking back to Blue Eyes at the community notice board. Because of her tears, the aqua color in her eyes had been so vibrant and strong. That hopeless look on her face...

  I shook my head, hoping the song had worked.

  Scratching at my stubble, I figured I should probably think about shaving in the morning, but for now, I wanted to nail this piece. The pads of my fingers sat lightly on the ivory keys, my middle finger resting on F-sharp as I worked in the key of D.

  “Come on, inspiration, hit me,” I muttered.

  I was blaming the busyness of looking after the building for my lack of progress with the musical. That was why I wanted to let the empty apartment across the hall. Bobby had actually given me the entire top floor—both apartments—saying I could use the smaller one as a music studio, but I didn’t need much living space, so I moved all my stuff into the small one with the idea of renting out the two-bedder and making myself some cash. Then, I could hire someone to help me. An assistant could look after the general running of the building, and I could spend more time composing.

  Bobby said I needed something spectacular and unique for him to pitch to his guy in NYC.

  “It’s gonna have to be pretty damn amazing, Leo, or my guy won’t even give you a look in.”

  I’d assured him I could pull it off. Bobby had given me a really great deal through a connection of his, and I’d managed to get all the gear at total mate’s rates. I’d saved myself thousands. On top of that, Bobby had surprised me with a pristine second-hand baby grand. It took over my living space, but I didn’t care. All my best creating happened on the real thing. I only used the electronic stuff when I wanted to record something.

  I wriggled in my seat and played a D-chord. The lid of the piano was propped open an inch, and the rich sound made me smile. My fingers took control and sped up the keyboard, the tinkling sound filling me with a familiar sense of peace.

  Music made everything better.

  The phone on the counter rang. I always hated walking away from the piano when I was playing, but I jumped up and grabbed it, hoping it’d be someone calling about the apartment. I didn’t recognize the number, so that was a good sign.

  “Hello?” I sat back down on the piano stool and crossed my fingers.

  “Um, hi, yeah, hey, um...” The female voice was soft. There was a girly sweetness to it that was plain adorable. “I’m just calling about the apartment for rent.”

  “Oh, great. I was hoping I’d get a quick response. I only pinned the notice up this afternoon.”

  “Yeah.” She cleared her throat. “How much would it be?”

  “Three thousand a month.”

  She hissed, a sharp intake of breath that told me this wouldn’t be a goer.

  “Not good, aye? I’ve done my research, and that’s actually below market standard for a two-bedroom place. I mean, it’s a small apartment, so I’m trying to be fair.”

  “Yeah, there’s no way I can afford that.” She sighed. “If I’m honest...I don’t know why I’m even calling. I’m a single mother with no income because my baby’s still little and I just...” She sighed again and then gave a dry chuckle. “I guess I’m desperate for a change of scenery.”

  I paused, my eyebrows bunching together. “Hang on a sec, you’re not that girl I met at the notice board this afternoon, are ya?”

  “Yeah. Yeah, I am.”

  I grinned. “Did the song work?”

  Her reply took a moment to come, but fina
lly she said, “Yes, it did. Thank you. I’ve been listening to it all evening.”

  Geez, that made me feel good. “What’s your name?” I ran my finger gently over middle C.

  “Jody.”

  “I’m Leo.”

  “Hi.” I could hear the smile in her voice, but it faded when she cleared her throat. “Well, I’m sorry for wasting your time. I’m trying to figure out ways to earn a little cash while still looking after my baby, but I don’t think any amount of cleaning houses or whatever could pay for your apartment.”

  Cleaning houses. Her words lit an idea hiding in the corner of my brain. I bit the edge of my lip and then started talking before I could stop myself. “I’ll tell you what, how about this...”

  Leo, what the hell are you doing?

  Running my tongue over my lower lip, I ignored my inner voice.

  “The reason I’m trying to rent out the apartment is that I need a little income. You see, I’m the building manager, and it’s taking up quite a bit of time. Time I’d rather use for other things, so I figured if I could sublet the apartment across the hall from me, score myself a little extra cash, then I could maybe split the job with someone else and pay them to work part-time.”

  “That makes sense.”

  “So...” Leo, don’t be an idiot! “What if I offered you the apartment for free and you could by my assistant.”

  She was taken aback; I could tell by the sudden pause. I was getting good at catching this girl off-guard. Hell, I was catching myself off-guard with this one. What was I thinking, offering a job to some chick I’d only just met? But her eyes...those tears. I wanted to help her.

  She chuckled, a breathy, disbelieving one. “You’d let me live in your two-bedroom apartment for free?”

  “Well, I’d be asking you to help manage the building. It’s a busy job. You’d be dealing with tenants, organizing fix-it type stuff, maintaining the general upkeep of the building, that type of thing. Housekeeping for the two apartments we rent out on a short-term basis and then a regular clean for Ms. Thornby.” I paused, waiting for her reaction. She didn’t give me one, so I kept talking. “It might be a good job for you, you know, ‘cause you could work from home and your little baby could be with you for the day.”