Page 29 of Finding a Melody
Their expressions fell.
“That is why as punishment, we are going to karaoke and everyone has to sing at least twice. I know a place.”
Their eyes lit up, and I smirked.
“But, Candy, they’ll make your ears bleed,” Toby warned.
“And you’ll be skipping school,” Seth said.
I stared at him, challenging him to say I couldn’t. “That’s all right, they’re used to me missing school for work. I’m a pro at hitting the max for being absent from school without being held back. They won’t notice.”
“Fuck yeah, let’s do this.” Toby ran his hands together in excitement. Toby ran to my car while Justin went to Paxon’s and Bryan went to Seth’s truck. I sent the address to their phones in case we got separated and began the twenty-minute journey to a small red-bricked building sandwiched between a hair salon and a law firm.
I smiled at the older man behind the counter when I went inside with the boys trailing behind me.
“Why didn’t I know about this place?” Toby asked.
I shrugged as I paid for a two-hour long session. “They don’t advertise, it’s one of the places you learn about when you know the right people.”
“And you’re the right person?” Bryan asked, his expression telling me he thought I was being full of myself.
I smirked and confidently said, “Of course. I’m always the right person.” No way would I tell them that sometimes, I’d sneak away for an hour or two and just belt out song after song after song when I could. This was one of my outlets when DJing wasn’t an option.
Being able to scream my head off without interrupting others was extremely cathartic.
I grabbed the key from the man and headed toward the room number on it. I went inside, going right to the karaoke machine. The room was small, big enough to fit a small lounge area for about eight people, the long couches hugging three of the walls. The fourth wall, closest to the door, was a mini stage with a black stage to stand on. The walls were painted dark brown and while I didn’t use it yet, there was a button to dim the lights and turn pretty moving lights on. For now, the neon blue lights circling the ceiling would be good enough.
“Justin and Toby are up first,” I said with a smirk as I selected a song for them. “Feel free to order anything you want.” I motioned to the tablet that was on the wall by the door. “I’m sure you’re all starving.”
After they took a moment to place their orders, Justin and Toby came right up to the front, grabbing a microphone each. The music started and some of the boys laughed as Toby and Justin shared a look before looking at the screen with the lyrics on it.
Toby started singing the song.
Once the chorus came along, Justin joined in. I smiled, enjoying his voice. He wasn’t bad: rough around the edges, but with potential.
Then they both joined in for the last stanza.
I broke out in applause, laughing as they finished up. Toby sent me a big smile and winked as Justin’s lips curled into a smile of his own, his blue eyes bright with happiness.
I eyed the other three, Paxon, Seth, and Bryan. They were laughing but their turn was coming right up. They realized that when they caught me staring at them.
Seth grimaced. “Be kind to us.”
Chuckling, I jumped to my feet. “No promises. Bryan, you’re up.”
His eyes widened. “No.”
I selected a song. “Yup,” I said, stressing the p in the word. “Get your butt up here. I want to hear the screeching cats Toby mentioned.”
Bryan scowled good naturally but after some cajoling, he was on his feet and walked up to stand next to me.
I hit the play button and handed the microphone over to him and then ran to sit next to Seth.
“What song did you choose?” Seth whispered.
“Shh,” I said as the song began.
“Fuck no!” Bryan yelled when he realized what this song was.