The Mirror (The Lost Bride Trilogy #2)

When she went out, Trey gave Owen a big smile. “About that quiet time.”

“I’ve got plenty left in the bank.”

“If you say so.”

After Owen’s very successful mac and cheese, and a friendly argument over the best rock bands of all time, the women issued a challenge.

“I think it’s time we heard some Head Case, don’t you, Cleo?”

“Couldn’t agree more.”

Trey carted plates over to the sink. “Sadly, Head Case is no more.”

“We have two members of the band right here.” Sonya spread her hands. “We’ll imagine the rest.” She pushed away from the table. “Music room.”

“They think we’re gonna suck,” Owen said.

“Sometimes we did.”

“Sometimes we didn’t.” Owen rose with a shrug. “I’m game. You should grab that wine,” he told Cleo. “We sound better if you’re a little drunk.”

Trey got two beers. “We play better if we are.”

With wine, beer, three dogs, and a cat, they trooped down to the music room. Owen picked up a guitar, gave it a strum, started tuning it.

With obvious reluctance, Trey did the same.

“Do y’all play any other instruments?” Cleo wondered. “It’s such a great collection. It should all be played instead of just displayed.”

“Owen can handle the piano.”

“Handle’s about right.” After some testing chords, Owen nodded. “You improvise better there.” As he played an opening riff, he looked at Trey. “Not as much punch as with an electric, but this’ll do. Remember the lyrics?”

“Yeah, I remember the lyrics.”

“Okay then.” He played the opening again while his foot tapped the beat.

Trey filled in the rhythm and added his voice.

“A million miles away, your signal in the distance.”

Acoustic or not, they rocked out Foo Fighters’ “Walk,” with Owen coming in on the chorus.

The audience broke into applause.

“I’m not anywhere near drunk,” Sonya said, “and you do not suck. Do another!”

“There’s wisdom in quitting while you’re ahead.”

Owen just grinned and played another riff. When they went with Aerosmith’s “Livin’ on the Edge,” Cleo grabbed a tambourine. Laughing, Sonya joined in as backup dancer.

As they rocked through what she decided equaled Head Case’s greatest hits, the banging started.

She shot a middle finger at the ceiling and kept dancing.

“Play it louder!”

Trey stomped his foot, clapped his hands.