Page 12 of Tracing Holland

“Is it true you have a ’43 J45?”she blurts before things get too uncomfortable.I’m stunned by the random question, but grateful at the same time.We still have food on our plates, and she hasn’t given up.I would have.

“How’d you know about that?”I ask in amusement.

She shrugs.“Not sure, actually.Just remember reading it somewhere.”

I shake my head with a grin.“Yeah.I’ve had it for a couple years.She’s my angel.”

Holland sighs.“I would seriously climb over dead bodies just to touch it.”

I laugh.“Uh, how about I just let you play it later.”

Her eyes ignite as her jaw nearly hits the table.“Wait, are you serious?You have it here?”

I grin, loving the light in her expression and the fact that my words put it there.“Yeah.It’s on my bus.”

“I… seriously?”

I shake my head, still laughing.“Seriously.We’ll meet up later.Wait until you hear this thing.It’ll blow your mind.”

She’s already drooling which only cements my offer.“I still don’t believe you.Nope, you’re lying.You’re just trying to torture me.”

I snicker.“Even I’m not that cruel.I’m serious.Whenever you want.”

“Yes!Let’s go!”she cries, throwing down her fork, and I laugh again.

“Well, you can finish your food first.We’re not on for a while,” I remind her.She sighs and picks it back up.

“Ok, fine.I’m not kidding, though, Luke.If you’re messing with me, I will gut you.”

I grin and hold up my hands.“Whoa, take it easy.I swear.She’s all yours for as long as you want her.”

Her hard gaze continues to bore into me until she finally seems satisfied with my promise.I’m still grinning as she settles back into her seat.

“Have you played The Mercer Center before?”I ask, resuming the conversation.

She shakes her head and pokes her fork at a slice of pineapple.“No, I haven’t.What about you?”

I nod.“A couple times.I love arena concerts.The energy is phenomenal.”

“Yeah?Sweet.I’m looking forward to it.”

“You may want to keep both ears in the whole time, though.The echo there can be…”

“Can I sit?”

Holland turns around at the new voice, and I glance up at the intruder.I’d seen him coming but was hoping to delay the interruption as long as possible.I’ve only spoken to him once so far and it wasn’t exactly a brotherly moment.

“Oh, hey, Wes!Yeah, have a seat.Just chatting about The Mercer Center.Luke says it’s a killer venue.”

“Hey, man.Morning,” Wes says, and I return his forced greeting.

“We played it on our last tour.It was pretty sick,” I explain.

Wes glances at me.“Really?You weren’t on the last tour though, right?”

I freeze.

“Wes…” Holland hisses, and I swallow hard.