The afternoon rehearsal went on just as smoothly. By the end of it, Elizabeth was well on her way to know the whole set already.
- Can we go through the last part of « Where the sun never shines » one more time ? There are a few notes I struggle with, Elizabeth said, wearing her professional mask.
- Have mercy Lizzie ! Charles cried with a smile. You did great. Besides, we still have tomorrow. Everything's going to be fine.
Richard was already standing up, the rehearsal was apparently over. She nodded at them. No matter, she would practice alone a little later. Her mind wouldn't rest until she could master this song.
- I'm starving, I'm going to have a snack, Richard said to no-one in particular.
Her instrument still in her hand, Lizzie turned her head to him.
- Again ? So that's what you do ? You eat and you play music ? she laughed.
- Basically ! he answered while patting his stomach. Is there anything else worth doing in this life ? he winked at her.
She laughed again.
- Living the dream ! I wouldn't say no to coffee, can I join you ?
- Sure ! I was going to a diner around the corner, their waffles are insane.
- Sounds good to me. Give me a minute, I need to take care of this, she said nodding towards her bass.
- You can leave it here, Rory will manage, Richard offered.
- I don't trust that guy, she replied on a serious tone.
All heads turned to her in a second, just in time to catch the wink she exchanged with Rory. They all bursted out laughing, and Elizabeth was stunted to actually hear Darcy chuckle. That sound was delightful, as much as the way his stormy blue eyes creased. She blushed a little. What the heck ? She was blushing ? She wasn't exactly an untouched virgin. She shook her head.
As soon as her bass was in its case and packed with the rest of The Meryton Assembly's instruments, she followed Richard outside and they fell into easy conversation. Darcy's gaze was following them. He hadn't realised he was frowning until Charles approached him.
- Worried ?
It took Will a few seconds to grasp his meaning. Surely, Charles wasn't talking about the fact that it seems Lizzie was walking towards Richard's bed as surely as she was walking towards this coffee place. And that didn't disturb Darcy. At all. They were consenting adults. He was concerned for the band if things went wrong between Richard and Lizzie. They needed her for a few weeks. He had hoped Richard could wait that much before jumping on her. Was he tired of the fans he introduced to his bedroom ? And wasn't he in an on and off affair with Charlotte ? Sometimes Will struggled with the life of Richard's pants.
- No. No, it's going to be fine. You said it yourself, we still have tomorrow, he answered.
Not that Lizzie really needed it.
- I have bad news.
Great. Now what ? Darcy held his breath.
- Caroline has a few days off, she's going to join us for a week or two, Charles let out.
The breath Will was holding came out heavily. That wasn't bad news. Well, that wasn't good news either, but it wasn't too bad. In any case, it wasn't anything Darcy could prevent, or resolve. He would just have to put up with it. He rubbed the back of his neck. Caroline had set her cap on him ever since Charles and him became friends at school when they were teenagers. One thing one could admire about her was that she was persistent. Despite Darcy never giving her any encouragement, she was still focused on her goal. Even more now that they were world famous. She loved the spotlight and the attention, precisely what Darcy despised. He was in for the music. The rest was of no interest to him. Caroline loved the shallowness of celebrity, the fake relationships you had with people who didn't really care, appearances. They were dramatically opposed and why she kept pursuing him when she could have any other musician, for she was a beautiful yet superficial woman, was a mystery to him.
- I'm sorry, Charles added, the crease of his mouth expressing his trouble.
He knew just how much a pain in the ass she could be to Will. He had tried to get her off his back, but she was unmovable.
- It's ok, she's not that bad.
Charles laughed all-heartedly.
- Oh yes, she is ! Don't mince your words, we've known each other for so long. She's dreadful. You might want to hire one or two more bodyguards, he winked at Will. Speaking about sisters, how is Georgiana ?
Will's face lit up at the mention of his younger sister's name. Although their age gap was important, they always were very close.
- She's good. As happy as ever with college. I was thinking about spending a few days with her during our next break.
- Better than bringing her with us ! Caroline would only pester her « good friend Georgie ! »
Darcy smirked. Too true.
- You have plans for tonight ?
- Not really, maybe Jane would like to go out. But we have nothing fixed yet.
Charles was dancing from one foot to another. Will frowned.
- Say it.
Charles's smile faded, that was quite out of character.
- You don't like her.
Darcy sighed. He knew that talk would come.
- She's nice, he answered.
He struggled to voice his concern in a way that would not hurt his friend. He knew Charles was head over heels with Jane, but he wasn't sure she was feeling the same. She was always so…serene.
- But ? Charles pressed him.
- But she's our opening act. What if things go wrong ? Which I truly hope not, what are we going to do ? And the press ? You can imagine how they will cover your story.
Charles nodded.
- Yeah, the unknown singer who tries to sleep her way through fame.
- Exactly, that's what's worrying me. Besides, … Darcy stopped.
- Besides what ? Charles seemed a little alarmed.
Well, since they were talking about it, better lay everything on the table.
- Your feelings are plain, as for hers, I don't know.
There, he had said it. Charles looked mortified.
- You think she really is using me ? But she seems so..
- No ! Darcy cut him, no I don't think she's using you ! Not at all. I'm just not sure her feelings are as strong as yours. I could be wrong, I don't know her.
That explanation didn't seem to relieve Charles. One more example of Darcy's lack of tact. He was annoyed with himself. Next time Charles asked him something, he would answer with a song. It was so much easier than talking to people.
- My opinion shouldn't be that important to you, Will finally said.
- But you know it is, I trust you, you always know what to do.
Will smiled. That was him, the bossy guy.
- Since I am always right, let's get a drink.
Charles looked astonished.
- It's 5 in the afternoon.
- It is ! And since you said you might be going out with Jane tonight, we can have an evening together now. You can order tea if the hour bothers you, Darcy smiled.
Darcy was happy Charles' mood was brightening a little. A little time together might be just the thing. If they could avoid talking about Jane. Or Elizabeth.
Lizzie was growing enraged. Those damn few notes, why couldn't she get them right ? She had been playing for the better part of an hour, headphones on, but they still slipped from her grasp. She closed her eyes and breathed slowly. Maybe she should swap instruments, that could help her unlock what was stuck in her fingers. She sat behind Richard's drum kit. Drums, nothing better to pass one's nerves. She started playing the loud rhythm she always played when she was setting his kit.
- You know, you should write a whole song. I'm so fed up with hearing this beat, Jane shouted over the rhythm.
Lizzie laughed.
- Ok, I will !
- Why are you still here ?
- I can't get the last part of « Where the sun never shines » right.
To Jane's raised eyebrow, Lizzie added.
- I wanted to try playing it with a different instrument, to see if I could understand what I don't understand.
- Sounds logical, Jane smiled. Is it working ?
- I was still warming up.
- Go on then, I'll listen. Perhaps I can help you.
Lizzie mouthed thank you to her sweet sister and started playing. On the third try, it all went smoothly.
- See ! You got it ! Back to the bass now, she said while handing her the instrument.
There it was again, the stumble. Lizzie's lips were a thin line. She was outraged.
- Let me play with you and sing, Jane offered, I think I know what's bothering you.
She grabbed the first guitar she saw, and the sisters started playing. Under Jane's gentle tutelage, Lizzie mastered the song in two attempts.
- Thank you so much ! a relieved Lizzie gushed over her sister. I should have gone to you earlier, I would have saved time. She kissed her on the cheek. Aren't you going out with Charles tonight ? It's not often that you have a free night.
- We are, a little later, right now he's out with Darcy, Jane answered calmly.
Lizzie's expression was all astonishment.
- You mean to tell me the guy knows how to have fun ?
Jane chuckled.
- He's not that bad, he's quite funny in fact.
- Oh no, I'm not buying this ! Lizzie answered while packing her bass.
- He could surprise you Lizzie, Jane said with a smile.
