“Try and keep me away.” I wink at him.
“So okay, if not the fifth member of our band, then what? Maybe you should try auditioning for the London Symphony Orchestra. I heard they might have a harpist opening.”
Even as he says the words, I know it’s not what I want.
“Maybe?”
“So that’s a no.” It hasn’t taken him long to read me at all.
“It’s never been my dream to be just another harpist in an orchestra, Marius. It’s the end goal for many, but not me. Even before the stuff with the, er, before, performing was never what I really wanted to do with my life.”
“What DO you want to do?”
And for the first time ever, it occurs to me.
“I’ve been thinking about it a lot lately. You know, with Jez’s money, I don’t really have to worry about money. So what could I do, if I could do anything in the whole world?”
“It sounds like you might know.”
“I think I do. I… I want to teach, Marius. I want to share the knowledge, the passion. I’ve had good teachers, and lord knows I’ve had bad ones. It makes such a difference. I wonder how many more brilliant musicians there could be out there if someone had just led them on the right path.”
He smiles at me as if he already knew. “Any school would be lucky to have you.”
I shake my head, even as the thoughts formulate in my head. “I don’t want to just be any old teacher in any old school. I think it’s time… to go back to my roots.”
“Romania?”
“Yeah. I mean, Jez and I don’t spend half as much time as we should there. You know, barely once a year for a week or two visiting our grandparents. We owe them more than that. They made all this possible for us, you know. Working when they should’ve been retired, giving us every opportunity possible. Maybe it’s time to give back. Not just to them, but their whole community, it’s not like they’re swimming in money. Not where we’re from anyway.”
He doesn’t say anything, just squeezes me tighter.
“It’s too bad you haven’t had much chance to talk to Cadence. She’ll probably want to steal you away hearing you talk like this.”
“You don’t think it’s silly?”
“I think you’re silly for asking that.”
“No, really, your opinion matters to me.”
“Well, it shouldn’t. But let me tell you this I think it sounds like it’s a perfect direction for you to take. You’ll be freakin’ awesome at it. ‘Miss Anca’s School Of Music Freaks.'” He traces out the words in the air.
“Don’t tease!”
He smiles and drops a kiss on my nose, “I’m not baby. I really do think you’ll be great at it.”
“What about you, Marius?”
“What about me?”
“What is your dream?”
“I’m living it babe. I really am.” He gives me a little squeeze. “Even parts I didn’t know I was dreaming about.”
“And what if I go to Romania?” The prospect of one day leaving his side is making me feel sick already.
“Will you be happy? Doing what you want to do?”
I have to nod. I know I would be.
“Then what more am I supposed to ask for? You know planes fly to Romania, right?” I poke my tongue out at him. “Wait, do they have vegetarian food in Romania?”
I roll my eyes. “Sure, my grandma makes great food.”
“Cool.”
“Just pick the meat out.” I finish with a grin.
“Witch.”
Marius
“Hey, Hails,” I say, as I hold the door open for her as we all enter the bar after the next night’s concert.
“Yeah?”
“When are we gonna get a day off already?”
“Oh, that’s easy. Let me check the diary… er, here it is. Never. That’s when.” She grins and winks at Anca who giggles.
“The hell. I’m tired, dude. Look at my fingers, they’re being worn down into little stumps!”
“Hmmm, you sure it’s because of your performing, because the thin walls between our beds on the tour bus tell me otherwise.” Sebastian says, face scrunched up into a ball.
“You’re just jealous. Cos your ball and finger stumperer is not here,” I throw back at him.
“Excuse me, what did you call me?” Says a female voice we didn’t expect.
“CADENCE!” We all yell, turning around to see her standing there, a bottle of tequila in each hand.
“What the hell?” Sebastian growls and runs up to his fiancee, pulling her into his arms and giving her a kiss that threatens to never end.
Brad makes a shrill dog whistle as I run up to her, pulling her out of Sebastian’s hold and give her a big hug. I hadn’t realized how much I’d missed having her around until I saw her standing there.
“Hey, babe! Let me take a look atcha!” She says, pinching my cheeks before giving me a big hug. “You look good,” she whispers into my ear. “I can’t wait to hear all about what’s going on, but not here.” She pulls away and ruffles my hair before turning back to her scowling husband.
“Why didn’t you tell us you were coming?” Seb grumbles.
“What would I do that for? What if I found some other hotter musician on my way and didn’t end up getting here. Then you’d be waiting for me for nothin'”
“Oh, in that case, then I have nothing to worry about.”
“Oh no?” Cadence winks at us.
“No, how are you going to find a hotter musician than me?” Sebastian preens.
“Well, I dunno… Jez looks like he’s been working out…” She winks at him.
“I have! Thanks for noticing…I think I have a 7th ab now,” Jez says as he pats his stomach.
“And Marius has those gorgeous eyes and biceps from playing the viola,” Cadence continues to muse.
“Thanks! I grew them myself,” I say, flexing my arms and fluttering my eyelashes. Anca tries to muffle a laugh, burying her face in my shoulder.
“Wait. What?!” Sebastian exclaims. “I’m way hotter than any of them! And I have a French accent…”