see. So many people to watch. So many things going on. His senses were overwhelmed and he didn’t enjoy a single second of it.
He didn’t know what to do. He’d never show his ignorance, much less admit it, but he was totally overwhelmed by this city. The people, crap. People were everywhere. It shocked his senses to find out he didn’t like so much humanity condensed into one city. So many strangers, all living on top of each other. A loner by default, he couldn’t warm up to the incessant bustling.
The tall buildings obscured his views and cars and bikes and pedestrians occupied every space he could see. Everywhere he looked was humming with life.
Fine. He felt out of place and very uncomfortable. Unsure. Literally clutching his wallet in his hands, he jammed it into his coat pocket. He was scared and unsure. The one person he knew in this city, Jody Lassiter, must have recognized it. Resentment at being here, but wanting to be here and feeling unsure about how the fuck to act. And she appeared so comfortable in this environment. She was spectacular as she obviously thrived here. She navigated the city like a bus driver, doing her job, saying her words, and firing quick thoughts at him with the ease of a machine gun. He reacted by stabbing himself in the foot. But he was loath to explain why he was so scared. Fearful of the setting and the atmosphere that she so clearly thrived in and loved. This downtown mecca was her home and his nightmare.
Struggling to get his equilibrium was a new feeling for him. Ross was raised in a half abandoned, small town with miles of space around it and many dirt roads, so this was a huge jolt to him. There was no way he felt like he could belong here.
But damn. She handled herself and him like a pro.
His raw nerves made his stomach hurt.
Playing the drums for Rob Williams.
That mattered. He stared up at the sky. Calling his bluff proved one thing to him: he didn’t sign up for Zenith’s Promises on a lark, despite what he claimed even to himself. When Jody threatened to kick him to the curb, he realized how much he wanted to meet Rob and play for him. This was the chance of a lifetime.
Who knew? Not he. He kicked a rock at his feet. He would soon be meeting half of the famous duo of Zenith. Damn.
He set his phone to wake him, and he showered and showed up, if not bright-eyed and cheery, at least he was there. At five minutes until eight. Right on time.
He waited outside and she walked from her office before she noticed him and nodded. They were on the downstairs floor and the door opened onto the sidewalk of a side street.
Her face was completely neutral as she walked out the door. Seeing he was ready, she nodded and said, “You can learn. That’s encouraging.”
She flipped around and set off walking towards the end of the block. He followed, smiling at her back so she was unaware that she amused him. Or perhaps she irritated him. Yeah. He could learn. But that didn’t often change his behavior.
She entered the door to a parking garage with a key card and went up two flights of stairs. She walked towards the car he recognized from the airport. Unlocking it, she tossed her things in back and situated herself in the driver’s seat. He sat and stared forward. His eyes felt gritty. It was too early for his brain to function at full capacity. As a late-night worker, he’d slept until noon most days. He usually didn’t eat very early either, so his empty, caffeine-free stomach churned. But… no, it wasn’t due to his nerves.
Pulling out of the parking garage, she maneuvered the city streets with ease and confidence, clearly familiar with them. Soon, they were speeding on the freeway north.
New landscapes flashed before him. Trees. Lots of evergreen trees. Interspersed through all the miles of housing, buildings and humanity were brief views of blue water and beyond, the mountains as the morning sun filled a mostly clear sky. It was mild and cool, but the sun made the entire landscape shine with a warm glow.
She didn’t bother with chit-chat, not after her first attempt with him. He didn’t expect her to so easily give up on him. Most people lasted a little longer. But Jody Lassiter was very unlike anyone