More Than Maybe - Erin Hahn Page 0,68
was from four years ago. They couldn’t even get more than your blurry profile pic because you’re so private.”
I think about it for a minute. “Are there comments?”
Zack pulls his laptop out of the way before I can grab it, stuffing it back in his bag. “Always. You know how that kind of thing works. Nothing more than what you’re getting on the podcast, though.”
“I stopped reading them,” I admit.
“Well, Cullen hasn’t. He’s obsessed with redeeming himself and makes himself read and respond to nearly all of them in defense of your honor, and now Vada’s.”
“Really?”
Zack rolls his eyes, standing. “Yeah, really. You know, for two guys who share DNA, you can be pretty dense about each other.”
“I didn’t know.”
“Exactly why I came. You’re selling yourself short. Them, too. This is a sucky situation that can have excellent repercussions if you let it. I’m not saying you need to do anything. Stay private and keep living your life. But stop looking at everything as if it’s the literal end of the universe.”
“Lindsay is loving it, I’m sure.”
“No reason for her to be the only one.”
* * *
“Ladies and gents, as we wrap up, I want to take a quick moment to discuss what happened a few weeks ago.”
I wince, shaking my head rapidly back and forth, mouthing, “No.”
Cullen presses forward. “I promised my brother I wouldn’t bring it up, and I won’t, except for this: I messed up. More than that, I fucked up. I invaded my twin’s privacy, and I feel terrible. Yes, he’s massively talented, and I’m not ashamed every person on the planet knows. But posting a personal clip, unauthorized, was a violation of the worst kind, and I’ve apologized in private, but I also want to apologize publicly.”
I exhale. “Thanks, Cull.”
“Anything you want to say before we close the doors on the discussion forever? Call me out or anything? I offer you the floor,” he says.
I think for a minute. This is my chance to turn something terrible into something good. “Only this: since I have everyone’s attention, you’ve heard Cullen and I say we record at the Loud Lizard in downtown Ann Arbor. This place is legendary, and we’re so grateful to Phil Josephs for letting us use the space each week. If you’re a local listener and appreciate good music, I highly recommend you check it out. And if you’re not local, our very own Vada Carsewell has a fantastic music review blog called Behind the Music that you have to check out. It’s my first stop for new music, and while I don’t love sharing my work on a public stage, I am passionate about finding good talent to support.”
Cullen shoots me an amused look over his mic. “Okay, then. Do what he says, listeners. The Loud Lizard in Ann Arbor, and Behind the Music, our very talented friend’s music review blog. Believe me, if it’s good, Vada will tell you about it. Girl’s about as tough on the industry as she is easy on the eyes. She can be found manning the spigots at the Loud Lizard alongside my dorky brother. Two local celebs for the price of one.”
After he logs us off, I drop my headphones and round on him. “Why’d you say that?”
“Say what?” he asks, eyes wide.
“That part about Vada being easy on the eyes. It’s irrelevant and offensive. She’s a goddamn genius, and you made it sound like they should all show up to see how she fills out her skinny jeans.”
“Hm,” is all he says.
“What d’you mean, ‘hm’? You need to go back and change that.”
“Okay.”
“Okay?” I huff, confused at his easy acquiescence. “Okay. So, what was that about?”
“Let’s just say it was an experiment.”
“An experiment?”
“Something I wanted to test out. A hypothesis of mine. And Zack’s, to be frank.”
“You’re telling me you were, what? Testing me to make sure I wasn’t a sexist asshole?”
He waves me away, closing his laptop and gathering up his notes. “I know you aren’t sexist. I wanted to see if you’d rush to Vada’s defense.”
I stare at him and blink once. “What?”
“Come on, Luke.”
“Of course I rushed to her defense. You’re setting her up to be visited by any number of creepy guys where she works, which is a bar, in case you forgot.”
“I haven’t forgotten. Listen, Zack and I have noticed you getting closer to Vada is all.”
“So?”
“So,” he counters blandly.
“We’re friends.”
Cullen rolls his eyes, slinging his black messenger bag over his shoulder. “You and Zack are friends. You and