Ten Days of Perfect (November Blue #1)(60)

“How could you not tell me that your parents are, or were, in one of the most popular indie folk bands from San Diego in the eighties and early nineties?” He grabbed my shoulders again and shook them playfully, like he was breaking the news to me.

“Um, how about because my parents were in one of the most popular indie folk bands from San Diego in the eighties and early nineties, and exactly no one our age knows about that? This is un-f*cking-believable!” I broke into hysterical laughter, “Where did you even get that?”

“My parents had it in a huge collection of albums. I was sorting through their stuff after they died and found this gem. So, November Blue Harris, how is it that you’ve never been inside a recording studio?” He suggested I was lying.

“Well, Officer, maybe I did go in one when I was younger, but they were mainly touring. I think they only recorded one new album after I was born and I don’t really remember that. So, it’s possible that I crawled around a studio once or twice. I swear to you right now, do not say anything to Monica, Josh, or Adrian - none of them know.” I snapped the record from his hand and looked at it, feeling a knot tighten in my stomach.

“What’s the deal? They’re awesome,” he said a little less playfully.

I feigned indifference, “It’s just . . .” I rolled my eyes and huffed, “It’s just kind of a long story. It’s not important.” My eyes shot to the floor.

“Hey,” he lifted my chin as he sat in the chair across from me, “what is it?” He spoke softly.

I looked to the left and the right, trying to find a topic of discussion to get us out of this Ashby and Raven vortex, but I couldn’t; we were in a recording studio after all. I yielded a sigh and slowly brought my eyes to his.

“Fine. Look. Remember the first night we met and I told you about how my parents are hippies, and later I told you how I finally got them to agree to settle in one place long enough for me to attend high school?”

“Yeah.”

“That’s the sugared-up Cliff’s Notes version. The truth is I was part of their little traveling show with Six - that’s what I called them. They were recording the album in your hands while my mom was pregnant with me - which is why she’s pregnant on the cover. It’s actually kind of funny that you have the vinyl, they didn’t make many. You may want to hang on to that.” I laughed dismissively.

“Anyway, I grew up being home-schooled as they travelled up and down the West Coast. By the time I was 14 I wanted to go to a real high school so I begged, begged to be in one place for it. They smiled, said ‘sure’ and let me pick the place which is how we ended up on the East Coast. I wanted to be as far away from San Diego as possible.” Tears betrayed my eyes.

Bo looked a little confused; I stopped him when he opened his mouth.

“You know, when we moved to Connecticut, it was the first time I had my own room for more than a few days. It was the first time we lived somewhere rather than stayed somewhere. I felt so proud of myself for convincing them to move, let alone three thousand miles away. It was empowering. I learned if I asked, I could get, hence my stellar grant writing,” I laughed, “But as I went through high school I just got f*cking pissed. I was a kid and they dragged me along in their life without giving me one of my own. They were so selfish while they touted free love, peace, and harmony; I thought they were such hypocrites.”

“Well, it sure explains a lot about you.” Bo wiped the tear from my cheek “Sorry, I don’t mean to be bitching about my parents. But that night on the beach, when we first met, you said ‘You take what you get and you use it for what you want.’ That’s what I did with my parents. I got exactly what I didn’t want, so I modeled my life the opposite way.” I shrugged.

“Real mature,” he huffed.

“Excuse me?” my face heated, drying my tears.

“You’re sp damn talented with your voice, and a clear natural on the guitar, and yet you won’t do anything with it because of some life your parents chose for themselves? Sounds to me like they’re still doing the choosing,” his voice wavered between sarcasm and anger.

I opened my mouth to answer, stunned with shock, but I jumped up when I heard a door slam upstairs.

“Bowan? Bo?! Are you here?” A female voice screeched.

“Who the hell is that?” My scant jealousy irritated me.

“That,” he smiled, “is Rachel. Prepare to meet my sister.”





Chapter Nineteen

“Down here Rae!” Bo hollered up the stairs.

I quickly composed myself from his ‘mature’ comment in order not to seem like a total

snob in front of his sister, but I was still pissed.

Light footsteps bounded down the stairs. When Rachel entered, the whole vibe of the room changed. She was smaller than I thought she’d be, probably 5’4”, and she was quite thin, but wore that huge smile I’d become accustomed to from Bo. He opened his arms when she entered and his size swallowed her.

“You’re early,” Bo said.

“Yeah, need to get back to campus to get some work done before they close for the night.” She beamed, turning to me.

“You must be November. It’s great to meet you!” She squealed. I stuck out my hand but she wrapped her arms around me instead. She’s cute as a friggin button.