Page 14 of Don’t Love the Boy Next Door (Hotties Next Door #2)

Chapter Twelve

Eric

I hang up and toss my phone across my desk. Another setback. The manager of the club only hires people who are over twenty-one because he serves alcohol at his club. And he’s not sure his patrons would appreciate hearing kids perform.

Leaning back in my chair, I rub my hands down my face.

Ethan and I used to have a manager who took care of booking gigs and all that stuff, but we always got into arguments because we cared about different things.

He mostly cared about the money and our image, while we cared more about the actual music and making our fans happy.

Eventually, we fired him and I decided to be manager.

Which only adds to my pile of stress. But at least I know the band is in good hands.

I haven’t been able to book us a gig since the HotSpot, and some fans are already demanding we perform again.

But with no interested parties, it’s kind of impossible.

Which sucks, because I finally finished the new song and it’s great.

It’s an actual love song this time, one of the best I’ve ever written.

Every part of me itches to share it with the world, but I don’t know when that will happen.

My computer dings with a video call. I perk up when I realize who the caller is and quickly answer it. “Hey, Dad!” I greet when his face appears on the screen. It feels like ages since I’ve seen him.

“Eric!” he says.

There’s a lot of noise in the background, like usual. He’s either on the road or at a hotel with his bandmates. And they’re always pretty noisy. Seems he’s in a lounge now, probably the one at the hotel.

Ethan and I look like our dad, with the same dark hair and blue eyes. We used to look at pictures of him when we were younger and were amazed at how similar we appear. If we were to go back in time, we could be triplets.

Dad’s hair is long, reaches his mid-back. I think part of the reason Ethan cuts his hair is because he doesn’t want to look like our dad.

“How’s it going, kiddo?” he asks.

“Great,” I say. “I’m happy you called.”

“Me, too, son.” He beams.

One of his bandmates sticks his head in front of the camera. “Who are ya talking to there, Miles?”

“One of my boys. You remember my drummer Larry, don’t you, Eric?”

“Yeah. Hey,” I say.

He chuckles. “Fine-looking boy there, Miles. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, eh?”

“What are you talking about? He’s the spitting image of his mother.”

“You playin’ me?” Larry looks over his shoulder. “Hey, boys, get over here.”

Soon, every single member of the band is pushing his face in front of the camera to get a good look at me. Which feels really weird and awkward. I just want to talk to my dad…

The census is that I look exactly like my dad and he must be dreaming. Truth is, I wish they would all leave so I could finally talk to my father. I’ve been waiting for this for weeks.

Finally, they’re gone. Dad beams at me again. “You’re looking great, Eric. That California sun has been really good for you.”

I shift in my seat. “We’re in Virginia, Dad,” I remind him.

His eyebrows dip. “Virginia? What the heck are you doing there?”

I blow out a huff. “Ethan’s football?”

He looks lost.

“Ethan was recruited to play ball for Mayburn High, remember? We told you this already.”

“Hmm.” He taps his knuckles against the desk. “Must have slipped my mind.”

I try not to let the disappointment wash over me. I get that he’s busy, I just wish he would pay more attention to what goes on in our lives.

“So what’s the latest?” he asks.

“Things are going pretty well with the band. We got a new lead singer who has an astounding voice. We had a gig at a popular teen club two weeks ago and really knocked it out of the park.”

A large smile takes over his face. “That’s great to hear. I’m proud of you.”

“Thanks. Wish you could have heard us. I think you’d really like our style.”

“I’ve heard you kids play many times. You know I love your style. And I’ve watched those videos you sent me.”

“Yeah, but it’s been a while since you heard us play live. I’m sure we sound different than we did when we were thirteen.”

His eyebrows lift. “Has it really been that many years since I’ve heard you live?”

I nod.

He whistles. “Well, we definitely have to change that. I’ll make time to visit you and your brother soon.”

I nod again, though I’m not holding him to his word. I learned a long time ago that Dad doesn’t keep his promises. I really wish he’d hear us play, though. He was our biggest supporter when we first started the band, but I guess he got busy with other things.

“Where are you now?” I ask.

“A pretty sweet town in Oklahoma. Then we’re off to Texas and heading east.”

“East? Does that mean you’ll be close to Virginia? Maybe you can stop by.”

He holds out his hands. “I don’t know yet, kiddo. Maybe. Schedule is still in the air.”

I want to ask him if he could make time to head to my state, but I also learned a long time ago that my dad doesn’t really listen to my requests, either.

“I joined the school musical,” I tell him.

His eyebrow lifts again. “A musical?”

“My high school’s putting on Beauty and the Beast . You know, the Broadway production? I got the role of Beast.”

At first, I think my dad will laugh at me.

He’s a rock musician, and I doubt he spends his free time listening to show tunes.

But he smiles and says, “That’s a great idea.

Surround yourself with every genre of music and learn.

The only way to become a great musician is to study as much music as you can. ”

The fact that he’s on board with it makes me feel relieved. No matter how old I get, I’ll always feel like the little kid wishing for his dad’s approval. “It’s actually really fun,” I say. “I didn’t realize how hard work it is.”

“You know what I always say. If you don’t work hard, you’re doing something wrong.”

“Yeah.”

Silence.

“How’s your mother doing?” he asks after a few seconds.

I lower my eyes to my desk. “She’s good. Works hard.”

“Sounds like your mom,” he says with a laugh. “She’s the most dedicated person I know.”

I play around with a paperclip. “She wouldn’t have to work so hard if you’d send us some cash, Dad.”

“Right. I’ve been meaning to send over some money. Thanks for reminding me, kid. I’ll get on that right away.”

“Thanks.”

“Is your brother around?”

“Yeah. He’s in his room.”

“Call him over here so I can see if he’s grown as handsome as you.”

I laugh. “Okay. Be right back.”

I walk down the hallway and find Ethan sitting at his computer with his headphones. Looks like he’s playing a game.

“Dad’s on video chat, Ethan,” I tell him.

“Good for him,” he mumbles as he slays a zombie. He keeps his eyes on the screen, not turning around to face me.

I lean against the doorframe. “He wants to talk to you.”

“I’m unavailable.”

I release a huff. “Ethan, Dad finally called. Don’t you want to talk to him?”

“No. And you shouldn’t speak to him, either.”

I step into the room and lower myself on his bed. “I get you’re upset with him. But he’s doing his best.”

He finally pries his eyes off the screen and swivels around to look at me. “You call that doing his best? Barely calling us, not sending any money—”

“He just told me he’ll send some cash as soon as he can—”

“Not bothering to show up to my football games or our gigs—”

“He’s in Oklahoma.”

“And then he calls like everything’s great and perfect? You serious, man? Don’t you get that he doesn’t care about us? He calls us whenever it’s convenient for him. He became a dad the day we were born, and he got a lot of responsibilities. He can’t just check out on us whenever he feels like it.”

“I know ,” I say. “I’m upset with him, too. But we’ve got to cut him some slack. He’s not going to change, and if you continue like this, you’ll have no relationship with him.”

He unpauses his game and positions his fingers over the mouse and keyboard. “Don’t give a crap.”

I just sit there staring at him, refusing to accept his words. He’s my twin and I get him better than anyone else. I know he didn’t mean what he said. He wants to have a relationship with our dad. He wants him to be part of his life.

“It’s not too late to patch things up,” I say. “Tell him how you feel. Maybe he’ll—”

He whirls around. “Will you quit it? I don’t want to talk to him.”

“Ethan—”

“Stop trying so hard to be the perfect son.”

“I’m not—”

“You want him to like you,” he says. “Want to be just like him. But he’s a bum of a dad. We’re better off without him.”

“You don’t mean that.”

“I sure as heck do.” He turns back to the computer. “Now can you leave so I can finish my game?”

I remain planted in my spot. There’s so much I wish I could say and do, to get the two of them talking again. But it’s no use. Ethan’s too hurt by him. He needs to learn to forgive Dad on his own.

I return to my room and drop down on my chair. I’m glad to find Dad is still there.

“Hey, I may have been away for a while, but I can still tell the difference between my sons,” he jokes.

“Ethan…uh…” my voice trails off.

He nods slowly. “He doesn’t want to talk to me, huh?”

“He’s a little preoccupied. With uh, school and stuff.”

“You don’t need to sugarcoat it. I know he thinks I’m a failure as a dad.”

“You’re not—”

He holds up his hand. “You’re a good kid, Eric. I guess I should give all the credit to your mom. She’s the one who raised you to be the fine young man I see before me.”

I shift in my seat. I’m not used to getting praised by my dad. Well, at least in anything other than music.

“It’s been hard for her,” I say. “But she’s strong.”

“I know,” he says. “That’s one of the reasons I married her.”

“I’m sure Ethan will call you later,” I lie. Why, though? We both know Ethan’s never going to contact him.

Dad leans back in his seat. “So you got a girlfriend?”

“What?” I ask, thrown off by the sudden subject change.

“You got yourself a fine lady?”

I give him a look. “Are we really going to talk about girls?”

“You’re talking to your old man here. Yes, I want to talk about girls.”

He and I don’t talk about this often. Actually, we don’t talk about it at all. So yeah, it’s awkward.

“Uh, I guess…I mean, girls are always trying to talk to me, because of the band and everything.”

Dad grins. “You’re a celebrity at your school. I know the feeling.”

He started a band in high school, too, and was pretty popular.

“But I don’t really like it,” I tell him. “I want something deeper than that. Something real. Not a girl who’s only interested in me because of the band.”

“We all want that, but you’re still a kid. Have fun. There’s time to be serious later.”

But I want to be serious now. I want to meet someone who will understand me.

Be there for me. Get me in a way no one has gotten me before, not even my twin brother.

And I want to do the same for her. Be supportive of her hopes and dreams, spend my days trying to make her happy.

Just have that deep, emotional connection.

But maybe I am being a little silly. Maybe no one’s looking for that in high school.

A face pops before my eyes. A girl with beautiful dark brown hair and big, expressive green eyes. Eyes that hold so much sorrow and heartache, but hope, too.

Heat pools all around me. I shove her image out of my head and focus on Dad.

But someone calls to him off camera, and he nods before turning back to the screen. “Looks like it’s time for me to sign off, kiddo. Thanks for the chat. I miss you and your brother.”

“I miss you, too. And so does Ethan.”

He makes a face like he doubts that, but nods. “Say hello to your mom for me. Take care of her and your brother. I’ll try to reach out the next time I get the chance. Continue making great music, Eric. Never let go of your dreams.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

He makes a peace sign and ends the call.

I’m left alone in my room, my quiet room.

With nothing but my own thoughts and feelings.

I was so happy to receive the call from Dad, but like always, I end up feeling disappointed and frustrated.

Maybe I’m clinging to this hope that Dad will quit touring and come back home.

Maybe he and Mom will try to work things out and we could be a family again.

But that’s a little kid’s dream. I have to face reality.

My gaze creeps to the window, where Katie’s shade is slightly lifted. But she’s not in her room.