Play Me a Song: Play Me a Song

By Jessica Kale

Alicia wishes she could be anything other than regular. Living with her mom, attending night classes and working in a diner, her life is what anyone would consider as ‘ordinary.'

That is, until she meets Gabriella.

A shy girl by nature, Alicia never thinks she could be attracted to a woman. Always used to dating guys, the thought of experimenting with a girl had never crossed her mind, let alone a sassy blonde with as much game as all of her exes combined.

When Alicia meets Gabriella, her whole life is turned upside down. She finally decides to pursue music and give ‘extraordinary’ a shot, but it all comes at a price. Disgruntled mother, friends who let her down, drama in her new world, and all of a sudden regular doesn’t seem too bad.

Now Alicia had to choose: to stay behind and remain average, or to venture into the unknown?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Romantic Scribe
• Release date: Aug 1, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386234821

Book preview

PROLOGUE

Kevin’s head was throbbing. He dragged his feet across the asphalt, feeling his nicotine-ridden lungs inflate with the cool night air. But it was nowhere near refreshing. He crouched down on the floor and started coughing, hoping no one inside would hear him. Oh, for fuck’s sake, he grumbled, hearing his wife’s footsteps hurry down the stairs.

Kevin? she asked, swinging the door open. She looked left and right before her eyes went straight to him, but he didn’t care to look at her. Kevin, I was worried sick about you. It’s two AM!

Sorry, he said, his voice boiling down to a hoarse whisper. He was still crouched down in the driveway, hugging his knees to his chest. Velma, I want to sit out here for a while. Will you leave me alone? he asked, leaning back against the wall and spreading his legs out in front of him. He reached into the pocket of his jacket and pulled out a pack of cigarettes.

Kevin! she said, squatting down and snatching the pack from him.

Velma, please go inside. Please. I can’t take it anymore, he said, squeezing his eyes shut and shaking his head from side to side. He clawed at the air, trying to reach for his cigarettes, but she stuffed them into the saggy pocket of her robe and turned around. Velma, wait!

What?! she snapped. We’ve already talked about this. You’re going to try and quit smoking. I’m not going to have you go around the house exposing our daughter to this shit!

That’s why I’m sitting out here! I’m not inside! he said, grabbing a handful of air. Velma just stared at him, the disappointment oozing from her eyes.

I think having a smoke is the last thing you should be worrying about right now, she muttered, shaking her head.

What’s that supposed to mean?

What I mean is this; here we are, out in the driveway at two in the morning, and you’re seated at our doorstep crying over a pack of cigarettes. What you should really be worrying about is your business! she said, her eyes growing wider than he’d ever seen them.

I’m trying! he yelled, slamming his head back against the wall. I work twelve hours a day, I bust my ass trying to get new clients, I’m doing all I can! It’s not easy!

Well, maybe you should’ve thought about that before you started a fucking music studio! she snapped, her face turning a bright red. But all Kevin saw was a black blotch hovering amongst the stars, judging him, making him feel like he was nothing. Aren’t you going to say anything? the blotch asked him.

I have nothing to say.

Kevin, do you think I’m a monster?

There was silence.

Kevin.

You’re not a monster. I’m the monster for quitting my job and doing this to you, to us, he said, his voice trailing off. But you keep beating me up for it, and I keep asking you to give me just a little bit more time to get up on my own two feet, he said.

How much more time do you need? It’s been a year of this! she said, her hands balled up into fists. We have a seven-year-old daughter. How are we going to get her into college if we don’t start saving up now?

I think I’m gonna go to bed, he said, slowly rising to his feet and squeezing past her. His head was buzzing with thoughts; he knew he couldn’t carry on with this conversation any longer. He could still feel his wife’s eyes on him, but he decided to ignore it. Deep down, he knew she was right, but he just couldn’t handle it right now.

He bolted up the stairs to his daughter’s room. Surprised to see her awake at this time, he was greeted with her squeaky voice, Daddy! Alicia said, bouncing off the piano stool.

No, stay there, he said, hurrying over to her. Scootch. He slumped down on the stool next to her and started flipping through the music notes, his lips curving into a smile when his eyes landed on a song titled Fur Elise. Come on, you wanna play a song?

Yes! Alicia said, clapping her hands together and bouncing up and down on her stool. Her shiny coiled locks danced across her shoulders with every movement, and when Kevin saw the silver of her eyes flare up and swirl as she looked at him, he was suddenly reminded of why he chose to work in music in the first place. Let’s do it, she said, running her fingers lightly over the keys. She looked up at the notes briefly before she started playing, slowly at first, but then she picked up the pace. A little into the song her father jumped in, his fingers moving with grace, not playing, but caressing the piano.

Getting a little choppy there, Kevin said, raising an eyebrow at his daughter. See, now that’s good.

The two sat side by side, their slender fingers gliding across the keys. Alicia’s legs swiveled in the air as she hit all the right notes, hummed along from time to time and moved her head to the beat of the music.

Kevin spun around and hopped off the stool. Take it away! he said.

Alicia peered up at him for a second before she hit the solo. The sound was like icicles and little sleigh bells mixed into one combination; Alicia’s fingers danced across the keys so effortlessly that even her own father was astounded. He crouched down on the floor like he always did, observing his own daughter in awe, wondering when she’d gotten so good.

It was moments like these that made him want to go on living, to go on doing what he loved to do. Alicia turned to look at him, her fingers still playing, and then she motioned for him to come sit by her again. He got up on the balls of his feet, slumped back down next to her and flipped through the notes.

How about this one? he pointed.

CHAPTER 1

Alicia brought her long cascading curls to the side. She scanned the diner with her eyes, trying to zone out all the chattering that was going on around her. Busy day today, she said to herself, folding both arms across her chest and shifting her weight to one leg.

Hey, what’s wrong? Trish asked, creeping up from behind Alicia. You look overwhelmed.

"I am overwhelmed today, I’m not really sure why," she said, her eyes fixated somewhere over Trish’s shoulder.

Here, let me cover this shift for you, the doe-eyed girl said, taking Alicia’s notepad from her.

No, no, she said, grabbing onto the leather-bound notepad. Thanks, love, I just feel a little off today. It’s nothing serious.

Alright, Trish said, raising an eyebrow at her. Hey, you see Andy over there? He’s got his top chef hat on, she said again, nudging Alicia teasingly. She looked over at the pickup window and saw Andy hand out an order, a wide grin plastered to his face.

What, did he get promoted? Alicia jumped. Oh my God, I have to go congratulate him. I can’t believe this!

I can’t believe it, either. But wait, wait. Don’t distract him, he still needs to get the hang of things, Trish said.

Yeah, you’re right. I’m just so happy for him. If only Hank would promote us, too. Now, wouldn’t that be great? There was a pause.

That bastard wouldn’t even give me a raise and I begged him, Trish said, stomping her foot against the floor. Alicia, we’ve been working here for close to four years now. How can he not give us a raise? It’s ridiculous!

You know, the more we talk about this, the more frustrated I get, Alicia said, shaking her head from side to side. I’m going to get on with my shift now, are you with me?

Trish rolled up her sleeves. I’m with you. See that table over there? Guy with the overalls? she asked, nodding towards the window. Alicia didn’t say anything. He’s cute. You should take his order.

Alicia turned to look at him. I don’t know, I don’t think he’s cute, she said, shrugging. Or, I don’t know. There was silence. She turned back around, but Trish was gone. Alicia smiled to herself. Damn, that girl’s crazy, she said to herself.

Alright, back to work.

Hey, Alicia, why don’t I see food on that table over there? Hank asked, pointing to a table at the far end of the diner. Looks to me like you’re not doing your job.

Alicia opened her mouth to speak but no words came out. Hank just had a knack for coming out of nowhere, and she hated him for it.

Well, aren’t you going to say anything? he asked, cocking his head to the side.

I’m on it, she said, pushing past him and making a beeline for the table. A petite girl with curly blonde hair sat hunched over a piece of paper, and when Alicia asked her if she wanted to order, the girl didn’t look up. Ma’am, Alicia said again, tilting her head sideways.

Wait, what? she asked, raising her eyes to Alicia’s. I’m so sorry, I didn’t see you there. The girl continued to stare up at her with bleached eyes, eyebrows raised, lips slightly parted. Alicia peered down at her feet, trying not to look too intimidated. The girl continued to stare at her still, and when she realized she might’ve been making her too uncomfortable, her eyes dropped to the floor. Nice shoes, you’ve got there, she smiled.

Oh, thanks, Alicia stuttered, pretending to jot something down on her notepad. Now, you wanna order something?

Yeah, I’ll have a latte or something, the blonde said, jotting something down herself.

Except she wasn’t pretending. Alicia tried to get a glimpse of what it was she was writing down, but then she felt too intrusive. There was something about this girl, something that made her want to get to know her. But she knew it wasn’t going to happen. That was basically what her job was all about; getting fascinated by people sitting at tables, but having to limit her interactions with them to small talk and a mere check, only to never see them again.

Often times she contemplated the nature of her job, how she even got there in the first place. Waitressing wasn't exactly her dream job, but she knew she had to do it if she wanted to make ends meet. She didn’t love it, but she didn’t hate it, either. There was something particularly charming about going around serving food, maybe sneaking a fry or two in the kitchen, and gossiping about cheap old Mr. Hank after the shift was over.

Alright, latte, it is, Alicia said, scribbling down her order. She looked up at the curly-haired girl fumbling with something next to her. Has this been here the entire time? Alicia thought, her eyes fixated on a glossy leather guitar case placed on the chair next to the girl. The case was almost as big as a full-grown child; Alicia found it strange that she hadn’t noticed it.

So, the girl was a musician. That made Alicia want to get to know her even more. But instead, Alicia walked away, flashing her a faint smile before she turned around and headed for the kitchen.

Andy, one la- There was a pause. It took Alicia a second or two to realize that Andy wasn’t responsible for the drinks anymore. Oh, never-mind, she said, sliding behind the kitchen counter and working the coffee machine herself.

Hey, Trish said, coming up from behind her. Did you see that girl over there? she asked.

Yeah, Alicia nodded, her lips curving into a smile. She plays the guitar, I think.

Damn, if I was into women I would totally try to get with her, she giggled. Alicia pursed her lips and continued to work the coffee machine. Don’t forget to make it foamy, Trish said before she walked away. Alicia snapped the lid on the latte and hurried out of the kitchen.

Thanks, the curly head said, not looking up from the several sheets of paper spread out over the table.

Hey, I’m a musician, too! Alicia thought to say. There was something about coming into contact with other fellow musicians that made her feel all warm on the inside, but when they’re as hot as this girl was, Alicia just felt tongue-tied. She really wanted to make conversation with her, though. But she decided against it. She went around taking other people’s orders, occasionally checking if the girl was still there, and suddenly, she was gone. Alicia had to look twice to realize the chairs were now empty; it was like she had disappeared into thin air.

Dammit, she muttered, bursting through the kitchen doors for the hundredth