“Not really. By the end of 2008, everyone had kind of gone their separate ways.”
He filtered through the timeline in his brain. The reason he had never seen her play, the reason he didn’t know anything about the band and had never even heard of it, was because that was during the time when he and Kimmy were in a very different place in their lives. The difficult-but-finally-starting-to-make-something-of-themselves years, as he sometimes thought of them. They had not been in a position to go anywhere, much less go out and watch live bands.
He pressed two twenties and a ten into her hand. “No, I don’t need any money,” she said. “And you fixed the light.”
“Just take it,” he said. “It would have cost more than that to board him.”
“Thank you.” Layla crouched down and ruffled Norton’s fur. “Bye, Norton. Thanks for hanging out with me this weekend.”
“Again, I’m really sorry.” He felt like he’d never be able to apologize enough for the invasion of her privacy.
“Nothing to apologize for. I was in the zone and should have looked at my watch. That happens to me sometimes when I play.”
“It was pretty amazing.”
She looked at him with a half smile, but she didn’t say anything, lost in thought as if what she remembered was amazing indeed.
chapter 17
Layla
“How was the dog sitting?” Tonya asked.
“It was good. He’s a sweet dog. I don’t think he can hear very well, though.”
“Ask Josh if you can borrow it sometime and then take it to a dog park. I’ve heard that’s a wonderful way to meet men. Very wholesome.”
“I don’t hate that idea, but I’d need to do it quick. The weather’s about to turn.” The wind was blowing hard and carried the distinct smell of snow. Layla shivered. Morning bus duty would be downright miserable a month from now, and they were getting an early taste of it.
“Take it to PetSmart. I’ve heard there are loads of men just wandering the aisles with their dogs, looking for babes like you.”
“Or maybe just dog food. Also, you sure have heard a lot about where to meet men,” Layla teased.
“Just tryin’ to help a friend,” she said. “How was Josh?”
“He stayed and had a glass of wine when he dropped off Norton.”
Tonya held up a finger. “We’ll return to that first part in a second. But the dog’s name is Norton? Like the antivirus?”
“Yes, but no. He was named by someone who was not familiar with today’s technology.”
“Okay, on to the good stuff. You had drinks together,” she said. “How did that go? Do you think he might be interested?”
“I don’t think interest had anything to do with it. And we did not have drinks together. I asked if he wanted a glass of wine and he said his ex-wife didn’t drink so he didn’t much either but that it sounded good. I poured one for him and we chatted and after he finished it, he went home. He’s a nice guy.”
“Do you think there could be something there?”
“I think I’m the dog sitter. That’s all I can tell you for now. One tiny little thing did happen, though.”
“Oh my God, what?” Tonya asked. “Did you lose the dog for a while or something?”
“No, nothing like that. Josh busted me rocking out in my basement when he came to pick up Norton. I was in all my guitar glory and singing at the top of my lungs.”
“What song?”
“‘Magic Man.’ I was feeling very Ann Wilson.” Layla told Tonya all about it and described how awkward it had felt to look up and see Josh at the window.
“You were doing something you loved in the privacy of your own home. You can’t possibly be embarrassed by your musical talent.”
“I’m not. But playing is a way for me to let out all my pent-up energy and these stupid emotions I’m working through that have nowhere to go. It’s my creative outlet. It’s just for me. I play like nobody’s watching because literally, nobody is watching. Until now.”
“I think you might be overreacting just a tad. It’s not like you were playing naked, right?”
“No! Why would I be playing naked?”
“I don’t know. Why are you so freaked out about him seeing you play?”
“I guess I don’t want him to think I fancy myself as some kind of…” Rock star. “I don’t know.”
There was something she’d never told anyone, and it involved the verbal wound Liam had inflicted the first time the gloves had really come off in their marriage. Layla hated that she couldn’t get past it, but wounds had a way of lingering long after the dagger had been thrown.
“I bet Josh was impressed,” Tonya said.
“He was very complimentary.” But Liam had been impressed once, too.
Annie walked her boys inside the building and joined Layla and Tonya. “What are we talking about this morning?”
“Our creative outlets,” Tonya said.
“I’ve seen the inside of your house, Tonya,” Annie said. “I know what yours is.”
Tonya smiled. “Yes, it’s colorful and I’ve been known to stencil a thing or two. Some women like to browse clothing stores; I’ve never met a paint sample I didn’t want to bring home and slap on something. However, and I’m only admitting it out loud because I’ve just given Layla a pep talk about being true to oneself, and, well, this might shock you girls, but I don’t take those exercise classes at five A.M. for my health.” Tonya had been attending classes at Dance Ignite for almost as long as Layla had known her.
“I, too, have a secret past,” she said. “I was head of the drill team in high school and I can bust a move like nobody’s business. I am the star of the five A.M. class. I’d like to think that if I ever auditioned for the Timberwolves Dancers, I could hold my own. If they had another team made up of gals in their thirties, that is.”
“I think that is so cool!” Layla said.
“I’ll need to see those dance moves the next time we have a girls’ night out,” Annie said. “Wait, you said you also had a secret past. That means Layla does too. Spill, Layla.”
“I used to be the lead singer in a moderately successful cover band. I’ve started singing and playing guitar again. For me.”
“What?” Annie yelled.
Layla laughed. “Don’t make it weird.”
“Why would I make it weird?” Annie asked. “I think it’s really cool. So, you played in bars and stuff?”
“Yep. And then I came to my senses and joined the rest of the grown-ups in the real world.”
“Did you know she used to be in a band?” Annie asked Tonya.
“Yes, but she doesn’t like to talk about it.”
“It was a long time ago,” Layla said.
“Wow. I feel like I don’t know you two at all.”