She never thought she’d be happy to finally return home. She loved meeting new fans and talk show hosts and DJs. Most of all, she loved telling the story about how she met Tessa while she was playing in a coffee shop, even if it sounded cliché.
“What’s the first thing you want to do when you get home, Mase?” Lucas asked.
“You’re gonna laugh, but I want to sit behind my drum kit and just play, man. Not any specific song or beat, just freestyle whatever my head and hands create.”
“I want to take a ride on my Dyna Glide,” Lucas replied. “I just want to jump on the Parkway and go.”
Sindy was surprised at the little things that Lucas and Mason missed while away from home. While they were both looking forward to ordinary day-to-day things, her mind was still on the music. “I want to start recording the new album.”
Tessa’s face brightened. “That’s my girl! What’s wrong with you two guys? We need to get the album done. You saw how many people asked about it. I’m thinking we should do a pre-order.” She ran her fingers through her hair. “We’ve been so busy I haven’t checked the Billboard Top 100.” She grabbed her laptop, opened it, and tapped onto the keyboard. Tessa stared at the screen, while everyone waited to hear where the single sat on the charts.
“Tess?” Mason clasped his hands together between his knees. “Is that blank expression on your face good or bad?”
Tessa turned the laptop around, and the three of them leaned in to read the screen. Mason and Lucas let out a loud, “Woo hoo!” and high-fived each other, while Sindy remained fixated on the screen, wearing the same stunned look as Tessa. Number one. Their single had been sitting at number one for the last three weeks in a row and they’d been so busy that they hadn’t even been aware that it topped the charts.
She’d toured the country, met thousands of fans, TV show hosts and celebrities, but it took that number one slot for everything to register in Sindy’s head. She made it. Prodigy was a success. And she was on top of the world.
It turned out that a long hot shower landed at the top of the list on things to do once Lucas got home. He didn’t realize how luxurious pulsating hot jets of water could be, and exactly what he needed to work out the kinks in his back from the narrow bed on the tour bus. He towel-dried his hair, which suddenly seemed much longer than it had been a month ago, and stepped from the steamy bathroom. Sindy was sprawled on the pillow-top mattress, fast asleep. He curled up next to her, draped his arm around her waist, and let out a contented sigh. For the last thirty-two days they’d been together nonstop, and he worried that they would get on each other’s nerves. It turned out to be a needless worry, as it only brought them closer together. He let out another sigh. He could really get used to this.
After 40 minutes on the Parkway with Sindy straddled behind him, Lucas headed home. He lifted his face to the sun and let the breeze of the salt water invade his nostrils and bathe his pores. Up ahead he spotted the new condominiums that had been under construction for the last three years. He hadn’t been down this way in a while, and he noticed that they were finally completed. As he neared, a sign invited passers-by to come in to inspect model apartments for sale. Without thinking, he swerved into the parking lot and dismounted his Harley.
“What are we doing?” Sindy looked up at the complex. “Are you going to buy one of these apartments?”
He hadn’t seriously considered it and only pulled into the complex on a whim, but the idea began to fester in his head. “I don’t know. Let’s take a look.”
A doorman in a blue suit and cap welcomed them into the lobby, where they were immediately greeted by an older woman in a cream-colored business suit.
She smiled politely, but Lucas could tell she regarded him as a waste of her time. He really couldn’t blame her. She had no way of knowing that he wasn’t just a random long-haired dude on a motorcycle with a hot chick on his arm.
“I’m interested in seeing the model apartments.”
“Would you like to see a studio? The one-bedrooms are rather pricey considering this is oceanfront property,” she stated dryly.
“Actually, I’m looking for a two-bedroom, possibly a three.” He really only needed two bedrooms and didn’t need to go overboard, but he enjoyed the shocked expression it caused to spread across her face.
The woman squinted, as if trying to figure out if he was sincere or just making a wisecrack. “All right. Please follow me.”
The first apartment they stepped into had an unblemished view of the ocean from the entire front of the apartment with a balcony just as wide. The second one the woman showed them had three bedrooms, which Lucas really didn’t need, and the balcony was smaller, but the top-floor apartment offered rooftop access and no upstairs neighbors. He fell in love with it.
“You’re not really considering this, are you?” Sindy whispered. “Why do you need something this big?”
“One bedroom for me. One bedroom as a music room, and, maybe, the other could be my office.”
Her raised brows questioned the extravagance of the place.
“I know it’s a lot of money,” he explained. “But, I can use my trust fund when I turn 25. Until then, I can get a mortgage. I’ve been waiting a long time to get my own place. I think it’s the right time.”
Tessa’s face dropped as soon as Lucas told her about the apartment. “You’re moving out?”
“Wasn’t that the plan?” He felt like he was abandoning his little sister, but they were adults, and they were moving on to the next phase of their lives. “Most people don’t live with their parents at our age, especially if they can afford to buy something.”
“I know, but first Sindy left. Now you. I’m going to be all by myself on this side of the house.”
“It’s in Lido Beach, Tess. Ten minutes away.”
“It’s gorgeous.” Sindy pointed her thumb at Lucas. “Mr. Moneybags picked the penthouse apartment. We can have parties on the rooftop and then go for a swim in the ocean.”
“The penthouse?” Tessa’s inquisitive gaze shifted to Lucas. “How big is it?”
“Huge.” Sindy spread her arms out to her sides. “It has three bedrooms. Lucas said he’s going to use one as a music study, the other as an office. And there’s a gorgeous balcony that overlooks the ocean.”
Lucas smiled at her, knowing she was playing up the amenities of the apartment in order to peak Tessa’s interest and raise her excitement about it. And it was working.
“What about the kitchen?” Tessa asked.
“You’re going to love it,” Sindy exclaimed. “It’s state of the art. Not as fancy as what you have downstairs, but I think your papi would approve.”
“Really? What kind of appliances?”
“Viking. Right, Lucas?”
Lucas nodded as he listened to his sister and Sindy talk about the apartment as if they were the ones moving into it. He thought it was adorable, especially since Tessa’s excitement level rose a thousand degrees and her feelings of abandonment seemed to have disappeared. “Do you want to see it?” he asked his sister.
“Yeah! Can we go right now?”
Telling Tessa about moving out, although met with remorse at first, went over better than expected. Showing her the apartment was genius. She had fawned over every detail with exaggerated excitement. The real hard part would happen in about two minutes, when Lucas told his parents. He started to question whether telling them at dinner was such a great idea. They’d only been home for one day and this was their first dinner together. Everyone was in such a good mood. He’d hate to spoil it by telling them he was moving out. Maybe they’d be excited for him. Plus, now he had added help to brag about the place. Not just Sindy, but also Tessa, who seemed like she wanted to move into it, as well.
“I’ve made everyone’s favorites.” Papi placed another plate on the table already covered with meats and sauces. “This one is my most requested dish, lechon asado. I made it just for my darling wife.” She presented her cheek, and he kisse
d it.
“You spoil us, A.” Lucas’ dad placed a generous amount of the pork on his plate before offering the platter to Tessa, and it made its way around the table. The ropa vieja followed, then vaca frita, and a half dozen side dishes. Sindy laughed softly after each entry made its way down the table in an assembly line of Cuban cuisine.
Lucas’ parents fed each other different tidbits of food and smiled and nodded their approval after each bite. Tessa had to sample everything on the table. Sindy constantly widened her eyes at the amount of food passed around. And Lucas sat back and watched it all. His family ate and laughed and talked. He was going to miss these nightly dinners.
He planned on telling his parents about the new apartment when they sat down to eat, but he didn’t want to interrupt the flow of conversation. Meals were about family, and he didn’t want the discussion to be about just him. He’d tell them at dessert.
Papi and Tessa did all the cooking, but with the grand meal tonight, hired staff cleared the table. Presenting the meal was an elaborate ritual reserved just for the two of them, though. Tonight’s matching novelty aprons read, “Dude With Food,” and “Oh, Crêpe!”, which made Lucas smile. Papi and Tessa brought out plate after plate of delectable sweets, announcing each one as it was set down on the table.
“Flan with dulce de leche!”
“Boniatillo!”
“Torticas de Moron!”
“Brazo de gitano!”
“I’ve never heard of any of these things,” Sindy whispered to Lucas. “Everything looks incredible. Oh, I know that one,” Sindy announced happily, pointing to the bowl in Tessa’s hands. “It’s rice pudding.”
Papi gasped, dramatically, and everyone quieted. “It’s arroz con leche.”
Sindy’s cheeks reddened. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean—”
A booming laugh flowed from Papi’s mouth. “I’m just teasing. Of course it’s rice pudding.”
Sindy relaxed and let out a lighthearted laugh. “Lucas, your family is amazing.”
“Yes. They are.” Lucas watched them share desserts and the expressions of joy as they tasted each one. He waited for the right time, which happened after everyone had their fill and couldn’t eat anything else, but still sat around the dining room table. “Mom, Dad, Papi, I saw an apartment today, and I’m going to buy it.” No one said a word and the room became deadly silent. “It’s not far. It’s in one of the new condominium complexes that just went up in Lido Beach.”
“It’s unbelievable,” Tessa added, when none of their parents said anything. “Let Lucas take you there tomorrow. It’s a penthouse with a rooftop patio, and it’s right on the water. Wait until you see the kitchen, Papi. We can make a meal like this over there. It’ll probably be the only time he ever uses the kitchen.” She smiled at Lucas to emphasize her teasing jab about his lack of cooking skills.
Lucas’ mom was the first to reply. “I always knew this day would come.” She pressed her lips together and nodded. “I promised myself I wasn’t going to cry. And I’m not. But I’m going to miss you. Thank you for staying so close to home.”
“This is exciting news, Lucas.” Papi reached across the table and squeezed Lucas’ hand. “Congratulations, my boy. You’re going to be a homeowner. It’s not going to be the same around here without you, though. Don’t get mad if I invent ridiculous reasons just to pay you a visit.”
“Of course not, Papi. Come over any time.” Lucas looked to his dad, who hadn’t said anything yet. “Dad?”
“I know you’re a man, but in my heart you’ll always be my little boy. Every day, you prove to me how mature and level-headed you are. I’m so happy for you, Lucas.”
Lucas smiled and let out a relieved breath. “Thanks. I was a little nervous about telling you.”
“Why?” his dad asked. “Never worry or hesitate to tell us anything. We always support you.” He looked at Tessa. “That goes for you to, Tess.”
“Good. Because I want to buy an apartment, too.”
Their mom’s head snapped in Tessa’s direction so fast Lucas swore he felt a breeze.
“What did you say?” Lucas asked, surprised at her statement.
“I hope you don’t mind, but I went back to the condominium complex, and the lady showed me an apartment in the next unit. One building over. We wouldn’t be in the same building. We wouldn’t even see each other come and go.”
“You really want to live in the building right next to me?” he asked
“If it bothers you I won’t buy it. I just thought that it would be really lonely living upstairs in our wing of the house by myself. This way, I’ll be in a building with other homeowners, and you’ll be right across the street, but still far enough away so we’ll have privacy.”
Lucas was surprised, and touched, that his sister wanted to stay close to him. “I don’t mind. It’ll be nice.”
Tessa turned back to their parents, who looked like they hadn’t blinked since she made the announcement. “We’ll both be 10 minutes away. You can even jog down to the complex on the beach and see us both on one trip.”
Lucas’ mom, the rock of their three parents, was the first to lose it. “You mean both of my kids are moving out?”
“Mom, we’re both over 21.”
“I know, but . . .” She shot up from her chair, raced around the table and hugged Tessa. “My little girl is leaving me!”
“Don’t you dare start blubbering,” Papi warned. “Or I’ll hang my head and be forced to . . . to . . . cry into my damn rice pudding.”
“It’s arroz con leche,” Tessa managed to say from inside the headlock her mom had her trapped in.
Papi let out a small, teary laugh and tapped his index finger on the table. “I want all of you here every Sunday for a feast just like this one. You, too, Sindy.”
“We will,” Lucas answered for the three of them. That made his mom trap him in one of her skull-crushing hugs. “It’s OK, Mom. We’ll go tomorrow and you’ll see how close we are.” She was the strong one out of his three parents. Papi was the emotional one. And his dad was the sensitive one, who still hadn’t reacted to Tessa’s announcement. “Is Dad OK?”
After a kiss on his cheek, his mom abandoned him to check on his dad. “Are you OK, Tommy?”
Lucas’ dad had a dazed look on his face, but snapped out of it when his mom touched his shoulder. He took her hand and kissed it. “Our kids are all grown up.”
She smiled affectionately and nodded.
Lucas’ dad turned to Tessa. “I’m glad you’ll be so close to your brother. It’ll make me worry less, although I’ll still worry.”
“I’ll be fine, Daddy.”
“Are you sure you two can afford this? Those condos look very pricey.”
“I filled out paperwork for a mortgage today,” Lucas answered. “I guess Tessa will have to do the same thing.”
“A mortgage?” His dad shook his head adamantly. “Oh no. I won’t hear of it.”
“Dad. It’s not a big deal. Rates are low. The payment will be high, but we have steady money coming in from the single now, and we’re going to be releasing the album soon. We can pay down the mortgage from the royalties.”
“You’re not paying thousands of dollars to a bank. That’s out of the question.”
Tessa looked at Lucas with pleading eyes. Finances were one thing not even her pouting lower lip could cause their dad to change his mind about.
“Dad, we’ll be OK. I promise. I wouldn’t—”
“You’ll be OK because you’re not taking out a mortgage.” His dad folded his arms across his chest. “You’re both old enough and smart enough to know that I’m right. If it’s OK with your mom and with Papi, I want to give you the money for the apartments from your trust funds.”
It took almost three weeks in order to record the tracks for the album. Some days, they were in the studio for 14 hours, and Sindy’s fingers were sore and blistered. They were recording the last song today and waiting for Mason to sign off on the d
rum tracks so she and Lucas could get the melody done. Sindy had worried about Tessa’s voice holding up, but the girl rarely needed more than a few takes in order to get the vocal tracks in place, and she could lay down a bassline quicker than anyone.
“No good.” Mason took the headphones from his ears and shook his head. “Something sounded off.” He hurried to his kit and tightened the skin on his snare.
Three hours later, Mason, who turned out to be the biggest stickler of all, even worse than Tessa, finally finished the drum tracks.
Sindy wanted to get some sleep and finish tomorrow, but she couldn’t tell them she wanted to go home. She felt drained and her body felt lifeless, but she needed to find the stamina to finish the last song.
Once in the isolation booth, new life seeped into her pores as she played, energy manifesting out of nowhere. Rocking back and forth, her fingers wanted to add a few notes but she knew tonight wasn’t the time to improvise. She pulled back and exercised restraint, which was hard, especially when playing with someone as inspiring as Lucas. She didn’t want to overpower him or compete with him. Her rhythm supported his lead and complimented it.
At the end of the take, she looked at everyone on the other side of the isolation booth. Lucas had a huge smile on his face as he bent to speak into the microphone. “Sindy, I think that was the best you’ve ever played. You didn’t try to outdo me. You delivered, but you let me shine. That’s what a good rhythm guitarist does.”
Mason’s voice came through the speaker in the isolation booth next. “That’s a wrap. I don’t think you could do a better job if you tried. Let’s leave well enough alone.”
Sindy burst out of the booth. “Are you serious? I did that in one take?”
“Yeah.” Mason turned to Tessa. “That was technically sound, right? Do you want her to do it again?”
“Nope. That was tight. I’m really happy with it.”
Mason leaned back on the chair and smiled. “I think we have ourselves an album.”
LUCAS BLADE: Radical Rock Stars: Next Generation Duet Book 1 Page 28
