In Her Sights (The Thousand Words Series Book 2) (20 page)

Tamara had her hands clasped behind her back so Dev couldn’t casually inspect her nails to see how much she spent on a manicure. He was willing to bet if he looked her nails weren’t her own. He didn’t care, other than unpolished, uneven nails would have made him drop his growing suspicion Kenny was trying to pull something.

“So Tamara, your shirt: just like square roots, irrational numbers, or math in general?”

“What?” She looked down at her sweatshirt, and Dev almost laughed out loud when her eyes darted involuntarily to Kenny looking for an answer before she regained her composure. It was brief, a fraction of a second really, but Dev caught it. So did Kenny.

“Dev, cut it out,” Kenny snapped.

“Hmm?”

“Irrational numbers?” Kenny asked, “Really? Who even knows what those are?”

“Well ‘rational’ refers to ‘ratio’ and they’re numbers that –”

“I don’t care!” Kenny snapped. “Tamara, you were great, take a hike,” Kenny told the blond and Dev didn’t protest as he watched her go. He awarded himself points on his arbitrary scoreboard when he noticed her nails were long, squared off, and bright green.

Dev turned to face his friend, who now had definite color in his cheeks, as Kenny shook his head and glared at him. Dev waited to see what Kenny was going to do or say next. In fairness,
he
was the one who should be irritated.
He
was the one who lost the love of his life.
He
was the one whose best friends wouldn’t support him in his quest to get her back. Or at least have the courtesy to drop it and let him pursue her on his own. This ongoing persistence to replace Lindsay was annoying. Worse, it was insulting. As if he couldn’t decide on his own if and when he was ready to give up on their relationship and move on.

“Listen, Dev,” Kenny started, then paused. He sighed and Dev waited. “How long is this going to go on?”

“What?”

“She was cute.”

“She was. Picked her up at some science thing huh? Was she taking tickets at the door?”

Kenny looked down at his feet with a grin. “She was the assistant for some project. Her sole scientific purpose for being there was to hold an aluminum rod with a wire on the end. Otherwise she was eye-candy to get people to come visit that booth. She even had a silver lamé outfit and stood on a little pedestal.”

Dev laughed. “Just as well I didn’t engage her in a conversation about, well, anything I was considering.”

“I was hoping
you’d have a
normal
conversation with a girl for a change.”

“It happens, Kenny. They have to pass the preliminaries first, so knock it off. You’re not doing anyone any favors.”

“How about you give one a chance?”

“How about you let me just deal with this on my own?”

“Deal with it then. You’re walking around in a kind of daze. It’s like you’re in your own little world half the time. I’d really like to see you back on terra firma.”

“According to Bryan, I’m better than I was.”

Kenny took his upper arm and led him out of the green room. Dev wasn’t sure whether it was the contact that implied dominance or that Kenny was secluding him that made him nervous. They passed a pair of security guards and the halls were suddenly empty with the noise and bustle of activity behind them. Ahead a few yards was the door to the waiting limo. Kenny stopped and leaned against the wall. Dev stood in the hall and faced him.

“Improved, yes, but not recovered. You’re still a shadow of what you were,” Kenny said. The words didn’t bother Dev so much as Kenny’s cool hazel eyes looking straight into him. He wasn’t a psychiatrist, but at times like this, Dev had to remind himself of that. Kenny seemed to psychoanalyze him more than Dr. Braithewait did, and she was paid to.

“Get out of my head,” Dev said irritably, looking back down the hall. The guards still had their backs to them and didn’t give any indication they could hear the conversation. They were paid not to listen, in theory.

“Lately there hasn’t been any indication
you’ve
been spending time in there, so it seemed like a good idea for me to go rattling around to see what’s up.”

“Smart ass.”

“Get with the program. We’ve all noticed it. Except for Bryan, we’re all worried.”

“If Bryan’s not and I’m the subject of discussion, then ‘we’ consists of you and Jess. Jess is as deep as a kiddie pool, so that equates to just you.
You
need to get over it, Kenny.”

“Actually, it’s not just me,” Kenny called after him as Dev walked out the door to the waiting limo and left.

○ ○ ○

At the next stop, things were starting to improve. Almost. Kenny may have had Alec stop segregating girls for him, and may not be hand-picking girls from conventions, but that just meant Jess was free to do things his way.

The concert went as planned, with the exception of Jess’s microphone oozing slime during one song and Dev and Jess getting in a water balloon fight over the course of two others. Of course, for A Thousand Words concert, that was very nearly planned.

Backstage, things started normally. Dev stayed close to Bryan and wondered what would happen in a few days when Brenda joined them on the road. They answered questions about the process of writing music, while Dev tried not to blush as several girls simply stared at him.

A tap on his shoulder was the first hint of the evening sliding off course. Dev turned to see Jess standing there with a comely blond.

“Dev, this is Anne. She’s Pre-Med at the University of Utah, just home for the summer and catching our show. Chat awhile.” Jess placed Anne squarely in front of him and backed away to return to his own gaggle of groupies. Dev could have killed him.

“So, Pre-Med?” Dev asked with a smile. He had no idea what to do with this girl. “Did Jess run you through the wringer before he dragged you over here?”

She laughed. “He asked if I was single, in college, what my major was, if I could play an instrument, and let’s see, oh, yes, if I was a lesbian.”

Dev was following along, his heart sinking until she said lesbian, then he choked.

“Then he admitted he didn’t really care if I could play an instrument or not, apparently that isn’t one of your requirements.” Anne looked at him, he assumed she expected some sort of reaction. Dev shook his head, trying to formulate an adequate response, but the words wouldn’t come.

“I can play the saxophone, by the way. And I’m not a lesbian.”

“I’m sorry. I’d love to give you a more appropriate and poetic apology, but I’m horrified and the words just aren’t coming.”

She smiled and Dev felt a glimmer of hope he wouldn’t die of embarrassment after all.

“So what
are
your requirements, Devin Giles?” Anne asked.

“At the moment, I’ll take advantage of the fact that you’re Pre-Med and ask how many ways can you show me to maim Jess with guitar wire?”

Again, Bryan handled it to keep the fuss to a minimum, especially after overhearing the ideas Anne gave Dev on what could be done with guitar wire and a little electrical tape. Women still approached Dev backstage and introduced themselves, seemingly with expectations, but it was nothing that could be directly traced back to Kenny, Jess, or Alec no matter how much Dev questioned them. It didn’t take Dev long to realize he spent so much time questioning the women trying to decide who was setting him up, it could almost be construed as interviewing them himself. After that he stopped showing any interest at all, letting whoever was responsible off the hook entirely.

It wasn’t to say he wasn’t fed up. Dev was increasingly irritated his friends wouldn’t just let it go. He was stressed that he didn’t know who was responsible. Not Bryan, from the look of things. And now that Brenda had joined them on tour, Bryan wasn’t going to spend all his time shielding Dev from the other half of the band.

All in all, Dev felt more alone surrounded by his friends than he’d felt in a long time.

Farther down the road, Kenny’s attention on Dev’s problems wavered and he seemed distracted when he wasn’t in the spotlight. Dev was relieved, but curious as well. And torn. He wanted to ask his friend about it, reach out and offer help if needed. At the same time, Dev didn’t want to remind Kenny that he was still there.

Still waffling in Houston, they attended a benefit dinner and Dev received his answer: Paige was there. She took her place at Kenny’s side and stayed there as they mingled. Kenny let his hand regularly slide around Paige’s waist to rest on her hip.

“Aww, aren’t they the cutest couple? I’m not sure whether to cheer him on or grab him and run for cover.” Jess appeared behind Dev from out of nowhere and gesturing toward Kenny with his champagne glass.

“Don’t sneak up on me like that!” Dev hissed.

“Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you. You just seemed concerned.”

“Bit weirded out is all.”

“Because the last time you saw Paige, you had Lindsay hanging on you like an accessory. Just because your blond is gone doesn’t mean Kenny’s brunette has to be. It looks bad. Let him have some fun first.”

Dev shrugged, then turned to look at Jess. “And your thought to grab him and run for cover doesn’t sound bad?”

“Just putting words to the look on your face.” Jess gestured to the couple again and Dev turned to look. “Chill, Dev. Paige’s safe. She’s got her sights on Kenny, not you. And she’s got him for now, so relax. She’s his problem, not yours.”

Dev hit Jess’s arm, making him spill his champagne on his pants.

“Shit!” Jess switched his champagne flute to his other hand and tried to brush excess moisture off his pants.

“Shouldn’t we be a little concerned about Kenny? Remember after Alicia left him? He totaled his car!”

Bryan and Brenda walked over to stand in front of them, blocking their view of Kenny and Paige.

“Being a bit obvious,” Brenda said.

Jess sighed, standing up straight and eying Brenda nervously. “Are you going to knee me again?”

“She’s not,” Bryan answered and turned his attention to Dev. “You need to give Kenny a chance.”

“But she’s –” Dev started.

“She’s no worse for Kenny than Lindsay is for you,” Bryan finished for him.

Dev flushed.

“Sorry to be harsh, but you get the point?” Bryan asked.

Dev nodded.

“Willing to give them a chance?”

Dev nodded again and Bryan turned to Jess.

“You’re more problematic.”

“How so?” Jess bristled.

“Kenny isn’t you,” Brenda said when Bryan paused, fishing for words.

“Hey, not fair! I don’t expect him to be me. It’s not like he wasn’t getting some regularly when he decided to take up Dev’s banner of celibacy, for no apparent reason other than a leggy brunette.”

Dev punched his upper arm again and Jess gave him a dirty look. “Keep that up and I’m going to have to wear long sleeves on stage tomorrow night.”

“Not my problem.”

“I’ll make it your problem.”

“Try it,” Dev challenged.

“Boys!” Brenda snapped. They both looked at her, then visibly deflated under her glare. Brenda didn’t remind Dev of his late mother per se, but the look she gave him sometimes had the same effect. He hated it since Brenda was only two years older than him, her husband was his best friend, and he felt like he’d known them both forever. It just wasn’t fair.

“Anyway,” Jess continued, “Kenny can stick his dick where he likes now. Paige ditched the crown and it looks like he’s laying claim to her. It’s not like he’s hiding his lady-fair away like he’s either ashamed of her or us.” Jess gave Dev a meaningful look, which he ignored.

“Besides, they’re only really starting to date,” Jess continued. “Kenny’s a rock star but Paige was Miss Great Lakes; she doesn’t have to put up with his shit. I’ll be supportive because I’m not really worried. I know women, I know Kenny, and I’m a realist.”

“That’s supportive?” Brenda demanded.

Jess shrugged and drained the last few drops of his champagne. “Sure.” He eyed his empty glass and looked around for a waiter.

“So you don’t think it’ll work out?” Dev asked, leaning over so he could see around Bryan to get another look at where Kenny and Paige stood across the room. They weren’t where he last saw them.

“If it’s meant to.” Jess started to turn away but Dev caught his shoulder and he turned back. “Listen, Dev, don’t worry about Kenny, okay? And don’t keep prying me for my opinion. If I start dropping pearls of wisdom, it’d ruin your image of me.”

Dev gaped as Jess wandered off in search of alcohol, and probably a woman.

Bryan watched him go. “Sadly, he’s right. That happens more often than you’d probably care to admit.”

“Jess is an – you’re right,” Dev admitted. Jess
wasn’t
an idiot, he just acted like it 99.9% of the time. It made him wonder what women saw in him, and then made him worry about the future of the species. He missed talking to Lindsay, she worried about what humanity was coming to as well. Usually when dealing with Jess also. Something else that they had in common. Something Dev would always have that would make him think of her.

“You okay?” Bryan asked.

Dev looked at his friend, the one member of the band he could always talk to about anything and found he couldn’t this time. He and Bryan discussed Lindsay until he was blue. There was nothing left to say. Bryan was willing to back whatever Dev wanted to do, but Dev felt his best friend’s support wavering.

“I think I’m just going to go back to the hotel,” Dev said. “I assume Paige will be joining us for the last couple of weeks?”

“Probably.” Bryan nodded. “You’ll survive.”

“I’ll be the supportive best friend that he never was.” Dev handed his Diet Coke to a caterer as he passed by and returned to the hotel feeling more alone than he had in a month.

○ ○ ○

As Dev suspected, Paige joined Kenny on tour after missing just one concert date. It took Dev a couple weeks to get used to her presence. Paige made him think of Lindsay, and Dev was determined to offer Kenny the support he wished he would have had years ago.

Their scheduled Chicago concert dates neared and Paige got very excited. Of course she
was
Miss Great Lakes. Before taking the title she went to Chicago State University and planned to return to school in the fall. Dev had no idea what her major was; something he wasn’t interested in or he would have remembered by now.

Kenny arranged for Paige to enjoy the Chicago show with two of her former college roommates. Dev understood the gesture, the desire to watch from the crowd, and that Paige would want to be with friends; after all, he made similar arrangements for friends in the past. And Dev tried to extend the same gesture to Lindsay in Seattle.

What Dev couldn’t figure out was why Paige didn’t just live at home while she was in college. Kenny told him she did while she was Miss Great Lakes, so why not while in college? He didn’t get it, but didn’t want to ask. Dev just wanted to get through Chicago, Detroit, and the next dozen stops before they could go home. He was so tired.

Dev was initially interested in seeing Detroit, home of American car manufacturing, but not so much now. Now he wanted to go home, and take one more shot at calling Lindsay. If she hadn’t changed her mind, he’d return to MIT and graduate school. He signed up for an online class last week and already started working on the first project.

How to approach Lindsay had occupied his mind for a few days. It was bordering on an obsession really, to the point Dev almost wondered if his victory to get Kenny and Jess to stop trying to set him up with women wasn’t too easily won. He could use a distraction and simply arriving in Chicago, and Paige’s excitement, wasn’t enough. Dev had fond memories of Chicago, and they were associated with Lindsay.

“Get your head in the game,” Jess told him.

Dev nodded, then froze again in apology as the hair and makeup girl, Melody, gave him a dirty look. She smiled at his chastised expression and Dev winced inwardly. Jess pointed out a month ago that Melody was single, his age, and – since Dev persisted in working for Oskar – they shared a keen eye for fashion as common ground. It wasn’t enough and Dev nearly decked Jess as he pointed that out. Jess just shrugged, said Melody was a great name for a girlfriend, and walked off.

Get his head in the game. Right. He’d go play the concert. Then he’d linger back stage for the required amount of time. When he could, he’d escape to his hotel room and ... do homework.

“You’re all set,” Melody said cheerfully. She was always cheerful. It increasingly grated on Dev’s raw nerves as he spent more time in her chair.

“Thanks,” he said with nowhere near the enthusiasm.

“Better put a smile on your face or Jess or Kenny will try to do it for you.”

Alarmed, Dev looked at Melody, then glanced around for his so-called
friends
.

“Relax. They’re over there chatting with Bryan.” Melody gestured toward the far end of the room, near the hall.

Dev almost sighed in relief.

“They’re supposed to be leaving me alone,” Dev told her.

“They care, and they don’t understand you,” Melody said, making eye contact as if this somehow made her point. Strangely, it did.

Walking over to join the others, Dev got the distinct impression they were talking about him. Even Bryan looked uncomfortable when Dev approached.

They cared about him, Dev reflected. Sure, they all watched each other’s backs. Interfering in personal lives was carrying it a bit far. Of course they all ganged up on Jess a few years ago, he remembered. And Jess wasn’t completely convinced Paige was good for Kenny, and neither was Dev. So maybe only Bryan and Brenda were immune to having their relationship analyzed and toyed with. Of course they’d been together longer than the band had.

Guilt carried Dev on stage and kept him so preoccupied he was completely caught off-guard when Jess kissed his cheek just before the third song. Smiling inwardly, Dev remembered that as much as they interfered with each other, they could always count on each other too.

Triggering a trapdoor on the back of his guitar, Dev let a small water balloon slide into his hand and quickly tossed it at Jess’s retreating figure. Jess froze when the cool water soaked the back of his T-shirt. Dev let another fall into his hand and struggled to pick out his chords while holding the delicate rubber grenade.

Wait for it ...

Jess turned to face his attacker, but Dev was still playing. The rule was no one could miss a cue.

Wait for it ...

Dev watched Jess and counted the beats. Jess took a step back toward him, then another. Dev winked at his friend, played a note, threw the water balloon, and resumed playing. He barely got his fingers back on the strings in time and he was already playing while watching to see if the projectile made contact.

The wink wasn’t enough warning for Jess to evade the attack, but enough to let him brace himself so
he
wouldn’t miss
his
cue. His back already wet, Jess caught the balloon in the center of his chest and accepted it with grace. Almost. He pointed a warning finger at Dev: it was on!

Dev only had three balloons left in his guitar. This could be a problem. Of course what was the worst Jess could do?

The answer came in the next song when Jess meandered behind Kenny toward the side where his pet roadie handed him a super-soaker squirt gun. Dev shook his head and took a few steps back to catch Liam’s attention. He didn’t know if his own assistant havoc-creator saw what Jess had, or if he had any ideas, but Dev knew he was out-gunned.

Liam was waiting and slipped two water balloons in each of Dev’s suit pockets. It was better than nothing, but harder than the drop-into-his-hand mechanism he outfitted his guitar with.

“Not water,” Liam said quietly.

Dev quirked an eyebrow at that. “Paint?”

Liam grinned and Dev’s eyes turned back to Jess with a smile of his own. An arms race. It was on, indeed.

Dev took one more balloon from Liam and held it in his hand. It was hell to play like that, but he was going to have to get used to it. He had to run to reach the microphone to sing his part in the chorus. Dev’s reward was to get hit in the side of the head with a cold stream of water. He pointed a warning finger with his left hand at Jess, briefly, then returned to playing. He’d have an opportunity to get a shot in a moment, probably enough time to reload too.

As Kenny did a brief solo, Jess started to run for cover behind the neutral lead-guitarist. Dev wouldn’t have it, not this time. He chased Jess halfway across the stage and nailed him with a paint-filled balloon. Bright pink splashed across Jess’s right side and Kenny looked up as he got caught by a stray droplets.

Jess turned to face Dev, clearly intent on soaking him. Dev was ready with a second balloon and Jess took a hit with a yellow balloon to his lower abdomen and left leg.