1 Caleb
“ I’m not doing it Tyler, I don’t really care what the reason is.” I turn the key into my apartment while trying to juggle the brand new guitar under my arm. No matter how annoyed I am, I will be damned if I let this thing drop.
“ Don’t you dare pull the best friend card on me. You always do this.” I settle down on the couch with Ollie and pull the guitar out of its case.
“ Don’t roll your eyes,” Tyler murmurs through the speakerphone while trying to explain all the reasons why I should go and pick up his sister instead of him. Personally I don’t even know why anybody needs to go get that brat. It’s not my fault she got sent away, so why am I the one that is suddenly responsible for retrieving her.
I knew it was too good to be true when I saw the cherry red electric fender sitting in front of my door. Before I could even take it out of the case, Tyler was ringing my phone. I thought about turning right around and dropping it off at his house but I just couldn’t.
Also the headache from my hangover is starting to kick in. I plug the guitar in and lower the volume before running a few cords together. Maybe I’ll be inspired to write something new. I laugh at that thought though, it’s been almost a year since our band came out with a new single and I know I am the one to blame. Somehow my inspiration has left me and though the boys try their hardest to write something, our label just wants nothing to do with it. What they want is for me to get my act together before they kick us all out on the streets.
“ So are you going to explain why you can’t pick up your own sister?” I know my attitude isn’t really necessary but let’s just say curiosity got the best of me.
“ Well I sort of lied to my parents and now that she’s back I feel like I have to unwind the mess I might have created.” Oh boy what could he mean by lying to his parents. If there is one thing I know about Tyler it is that he cannot tell a lie to save his life. Part of me wants to be there just to watch him fumble over his words, that would serve him right.
“ OK well while we’re playing this game, what makes you think that she’d want to see me over you?” I aimlessly pluck at the strings again. I can slowly hear a melody coming to me and know I should find a pen and paper to write this down.
“Uh, let’s just say She would be a lot more happier to see you over me.” Well that’s just false given the fact that I haven’t seen her since before she even left. Plus Tyler and his sister have gotten extremely close in the last couple of years since our band took off.
“ Tyler what did you do exactly?”
“Uh, You know I am not good at keeping secrets, but I promised Isa. For once this is not my story to tell.”
Okay, now I know it has to be something remotely serious for him not to give it up. He has had no problem telling me anything that could embarrass his younger sister.
“Fine, I’ll agree to this one favor. All and any IOUs that you’ve been saving against me will be erased.”
“Deal.” Wow, he didn’t even flinch at that and knowing him, he has a lot of things saved up. He sends me a text to the location and I pull it up on my phone. Looks like I am in for quite the drive.
“ So this place is like two hours away. By the time I get back it’ll be late. Am I dropping her off at your place or at your parents? Does she still have her own place?”
I take a quick look at the map again. For some reason this place seems familiar but I can’t quite put my head around it.
“Tyler? Did you hear what I asked you?” The line is quiet. I look to see if we were disconnected but the call is still active.
“About that…”
“Do not tell me what I think you are going to say.”
“Couple of nights, I swear.”
“Absolutely not. I’ve got things to do. I refuse to be a babysitter for whatever fucked up things your sister has done.” I know it’s a low blow but I will do anything to avoid Isa being here.
“Please dude. I really need the time and I don’t trust her anywhere else now.”
“Friends? Your parents? Even your place?”
“I don’t think Isa has any friends. Certainly not after the experience she has gone through. And I told you they don’t know she is home and if I let her stay here, she’ll just demand to go home. Or worse, she’ll murder me and we’ll have no drummer!”
I know he is trying to lighten the mood, but something about what he says sticks to me.
“Okay, quit yammering. And stop trying to buy me with favors. We are best friends. I hate you, but you’re my best friend. And besides you know that shit weirds me the fuck out.”
“You are a god send my dude.”
“Yeah, I know. Also I refuse to be responsible for anything she does while here.”
“You’ll be fine. She’ll probably ask to see her one friend or hide in the guest room by herself.” Wait one friend? Didn’t he just say she didn’t have any friends?
“Whatever dude. Just keep updated.”
I’ll quickly hang up the phone before he has the chance to ask me for some thing else. Needy fucker. No wonder no one will date him. I laughed to myself before chugging some coffee and heading off to the shower.
I can still smell that girls fruity perfume on my hoodie as a peel it off and toss it into the laundry bin. What was her name again? Sheila? Shelly?
Whatever. She didn’t see me for a rockstar and that’s all I care about. I step into the steaming shower and face the spray shaking the hair from my eyes.
God, I lean against the tile. It’s been three years since I’ve seen her and I was hoping to make it three more.
2 Isa
I stare at the message on my phone before screaming and chucking the stupid break into the grass. Not a single message about how much he missed me, that he still loves me, even a simple I’m sorry. No, all I got was a single message saying Caleb is coming to get me.
My fucking brother has got to be kidding me. First he sends me here, then he doesn’t even have the nerve to show his face and Pick Me Up. I knew he was a wimp but I didn’t expect him to be this pathetic. Some man he is, can’t even face me.
I immediately swipe away the tear that threatens to escape my eyes. My therapist would tell me how healthy I am and praise the progress I’ve made in showing my emotions but I’ll be damned if I let Caleb roll up To see me crying. He doesn’t need more ammunition when it comes to hurting me.
I haven’t seen Caleb in forever minus the couple of shows I’ve gone to For my brother but that’s really all I wanted to see of him anyways.
The only thing getting me through is knowing this car ride is only two hours. Then I’ll be home and can truly kill my brother.
Let’s not forget I also look like I’ve stuck my hand in an electric socket. My wavy hair sticking out of my bun in all different directions, and I only have the outfit I came in. They told me I could keep the clothes that I acquired while spending a year here, but I want nothing to do with this place including all of the belongings that came with it.
My TV static hoodie fits a bit more than when I first got here but I try not to think about it too much. I intend to throw out anything and everything as soon as I am back home anyways.
Maybe Jo will come with me to the mall. God I miss her. She’s the only one who’s truly kept in touch and has been a constant since I got stuck here.
At least they gave me back my phone and the single piece of sugar-free gum that must’ve been in my pocket. I grabbed the phone out of the grass and sit back on the curb sticking the stale piece of gum into my mouth. It’s been a very long time since I’ve chewed gum and I didn’t think I could miss something so monotonous.
I scroll through Instagram trying to see what everyone’s been up to since the past year. My therapist advised me to stay off a little longer so I don’t find myself comparing my life to everyone else but it’s not my fault Caleb is taking so damn long.
Thinking about it now, I should’ve walked a little farther away and given him a different location to save myself a little embarrassment. Knowing my brother though he probably already told him everything. Ever since he became an overnight sensation, he’s made it a personal mission to give back to all of us.
He could’ve given me a car or paid my rent for a year but no, he said this is more valuable. That’ll teach me to ever open up to him again. We might have gotten close over the past couple of years but we’re about to start all the way at zero when I get back home.
Before the front lady at the desk comes out to ask if I’m OK for the third time, a black Camaro whips around the corner, nearly running me over in the process. Leave it to Caleb to blatantly ignore the speed limit. He was never good at following rules.
My mind instantly wants to drift to a memory of when we were all kids.
My brother and I had gotten skateboards for Christmas that year and Tyler made me share mine with Caleb. Of course that lasted about 20 minutes when the idiots crashed into each other and ended up in the ER. Tyler was always bigger than Caleb so he ended up with a minor concussion whereas Caleb had a broken arm for six weeks.
Not being able to play the guitar had put him in the worst mood ever. The only person that was actually able to be around him was me. I shake off the memory quickly.
“You could be a little more mindful,” I mutter as I get up from the curb.
“And you could be a little more grateful,” he shoots back his hand on the door, waiting for me to get in. I take this moment to really take him in. In the last three years, it feels like he’s grown another foot. Gone is his lanky frame, now replaced with strong lean muscles. If I look too closely, I guarantee I can see those arm veins that all the women in my romance novels swoon over.
As I slide into the seat, I can tell he is looking around to see if I have belongings before gently closing the door. I brace myself for the obnoxious questions as he walks around the car and slides into his side. Luckily he keeps his mouth shut. Part of me wishes he would say something, if only to prevent the awkward silence that is brewing.
“Do you have everything you need?” I can tell he is trying to be kind but it irritates me.
“If you are trying to ask why I have no possessions, it’s because I chose to leave everything there. I don’t need to bring home a reminder of the worst year of my life. Besides, I'll be home in a few hours anyways.”
I look over at his face as he stretches his arm behind his head to scratch the back of his neck. Typically that the telltale that he’s nervous. Caleb hasn’t been nervous since My brother still considered their band to be an indie band.
“ All right what’s with the brooding silence, all I said was you’d be able to get rid of me in a couple hours. Don’t tell me I offended you. Isn’t that what you want anyways?”
“ Listen, about that. Your brother requested you stay with me for a couple of days. Something about your folks not knowing the truth.”
Tyler has got to be fucking kidding me. My brother never fucking thinks before he does this kind of stuff. And now I’m pissed. No wonder Caleb is here. This is all just one big favor. And I bet my parents think I’m off doing some stupid shit like always. Disappointing them time and time again. I can feel the anger brewing in me and can’t stop myself.
“So what Did my brother bribe you with this time?“ I know it’s not Caleb’s fault. But by accepting whatever my brother gave him, makes him an accessory. Besides, I need somewhere for my anger to go and it looks like Tyler won’t be receiving it anytime soon.
“ Actually don’t bother telling me. You can keep whatever my brother promises and drop me off at Joe’s place. I’ll even have you come get me when it’s time to go back to my parents place.” Part of me doesn’t even know why Tyler wouldn’t have just let Joe come get me anyway. She already knows I’m supposed to be home in a few hours. I’ll be forced to give her Caleb’s address. God I already know what she’s going to be thinking.
She’s going to lose her mind when I tell her all of this. First my brother won’t even pick me up, then he has the nerve to demand I stay with Caleb. I guess that’s all I am to him though. An inconvenience, a headline, something that could truly jeopardize the band.
“Who the fuck is Joe?” I jump in my seat and turn toward Caleb slowly sliding away. I feel myself grab the door handle but instantly let go. I don’t think I should be trying to jump out of a moving car and I know that Caleb would never hurt me right?
“Nevermind, I don’t even want to know.” I catch a glimpse of his knuckles turning white against the steering wheel before he loosens his grip.
I take a deep breath. He won’t hurt you. He won’t hurt you. The only issue is, it’s not the first time I thought that either.
“So are you going to drop me off there?” I curse myself for my voice sounding so weak.
“No, I promised your brother I’d watch after you and I am going to keep my promise.” I want to argue with him, I really do, but the car is warm and I don’t have the energy. Turns out arguing with someone for over an hour takes a lot more out of you than it should. I slowly find my eyes closing as I drift off to sleep.
3 Caleb
I can’t help but look at Isa every once in a while as we drive back towards the city. She’s a lot more fragile than I remember but I’ll be damned if I actually admit that to her. Knowing the fire in her, she could still break my bones if I gave her the opportunity.
Her warm brown hair has grown out since I’ve last seen her as well. The blonde highlights she had in are long grown out which I am secretly grateful for.
I’ll never forget the day she came to our concert a couple years ago with bleach blonde hair. Our bass player mistook her for a groupie and almost had security come by. Of course 5 minutes later he was all over her convincing her to come back to his room as well. I think Tyler was very close to sucker punching him. I don’t think she had even noticed I was there.
Truth be told, this was the first time I have been alone with Isa since the incident about 3 years ago. I can’t help but take another glance at her. I don’t remember her being so skinny, but then again I know girls tend to thin out a bit as they get older. Ugh even now I feel stupid for pointing it out and I’m literally talking to myself in my own head.
I pull into the parking garage of my condo as she begins to stir awake and force myself to look forward and indifferent. I’ll be damned if I let her catch me staring. Just another thing for her to mock me about.
“What no fancy house with security gates and guard dogs?” Glad to see that her temper has not improved since her nap. How is it that she infuriates me and warms me at the same time.
“Nope but I do have a dog. Hope that doesn’t bother you.”
“Ollie right?” Part of me was surprised that she remembered Ollie. I got Ollie about 5 years ago from a shelter. Funny enough, Isa was there with me. She told me that she had always wanted to rescue a dog but her parents forbade her from ever bringing in a “mangy mutt” as they called it. I did the only logical thing any 21 year old one does and drove her right to the shelter to get one.
Needless to say, her parents screamed at her and gave the dog to me. I was shocked she didn’t rat me out to them and took the brunt of their cruel words. Part of me to this day doesn’t know why she did it. I think because she knew I would keep the dog, and she would get to still see him.
“Yeah, Ollie. He’s a bit older now, but still is likely to take you out if you don’t stand your ground.” She follows a few steps behind me as I key the garage code and walk through the side door into the house.
Of course Ollie comes barreling through the kitchen toward me. As I lean down to pet him, he runs right past me toward Isa. I think I just got rejected by my own dog.
“Hey Ollie boy, how are you doing, big guy?” She crouches down onto the ground as Ollie flops over to demand belly rubs. I can’t help but notice a fuzzy feeling in my stomach watching this moment. You will not let your emotions get to you.
Isa looks up at me with these big blue eyes and I can’t help but get lost for a moment. There is a sense of fear but also defeat in her eyes that makes me want to pull her close and tell her everything is going to be okay.
“Caleb? Did you hear me?”
“Oh no sorry, thinking about the setlist for our Chaos Live next week.” Good one Caleb, she surely won’t know you were staring at her.
She rolls her eyes at me, busted. “I asked if I could take a shower and what your address is. Jo is going to come by and bring me some old clothes since I clearly can’t go home.”
Suddenly my good mood is gone and I want to strangle whoever this guy is. I also do not want to be giving out my address to everyone and their mothers. Part of me wants to tell her no, but I also know that I am not her brother.
Perhaps I can keep an eye on her and intervene whenever this Jo guy threatens to get a little to close for my liking.
“Yeah, there is a bathroom connected to the guest room. There are some guest clothes in the dresser as well..” I type my address into her messages and walk away before I do something stupid.
It’s just a couple days and then you won’t have to deal with whatever you are feeling. I walk toward the end of the house and head downstairs to my basement studio. So far the only good thing out of this right now is that I feel the need to write a new song. I look back to see Ollie has chosen to go with Isa over me.
Geez, even my dog has no shame.