Audrey
I DON’T KNOW what goes through Liv’s head sometimes. Giving a complete stranger a ride out in the middle of Timbuktu was not my idea of a wise decision. If Saul hadn’t been blind, I would’ve put my foot down, but he was nice so far−he’d nodded his greeting to me with the warmest of smiles, disarming my torrent of protesting in one instant. Regardless, I kept one eye on him in the rear view mirror as I sped along the highway, still anxious to get farther and farther from Ruben.
“So what’s your story?” I asked, glancing at Liv and back to his reflection. He had sunglasses over those translucent blue orbs that seemed to be almost colorless. He smiled to me as though he could see my stare in the mirror. I shifted my eyes back to the road, my face flushing slightly. He was not bad looking, His locks rippled in the breeze, looking ever so soft and aching to be curled around my fingers. I’d at least give him that.
“Well, I work as a voice actor. It pays well, and it’s perfect for someone like me.” He gave a slight grin back through the rear view mirror. I gulped, feeling guilty that I had asked him about his profession. Obviously, it wouldn’t be a traditional job, or would it? He could’ve said he was disabled for all I knew. I found it interesting that he was considered an actor. How cool was that?
“Really? Do you do any of the movie trailer announcements?” Liv spun around and waited greedily for his answer, her long black hair whipping around her head like a halo. I rolled my eyes, knowing our guest couldn’t see me do so. Still, what if he was pretending to be blind? Maybe he was rolling his eyes behind those dark, dark sunglasses at us too.
He chuckled at Liv’s enthusiasm, but shook his head. “No, I’m not that good yet, but that would be a dream come true to get that kind of gig.” He turned his face toward the wind, which was rolling in from the open windows. The warm air was cooling down as the ocean air approached, sending shivers down my arms, but he looked like he very much enjoyed it.
“What were you doing in that motel in the middle of nowhere?” Liv picked at the peeling leather of the seat. Its worn, cracking appearance was fading with time and the abuse of the elements.
“My mother died. I went to her funeral in Flagstaff.” Liv gasped, and I swatted her for asking.
“No, it’s okay. We weren’t close. Just paying my respects.” He gave a reassuring smile again, white teeth flashing, enveloped by luscious pink lips.
“I’m sorry.” Liv slid back in her seat, facing forward once more. I gritted my teeth. My face was flushing with embarrassment, enough for both of us.
“Ignore her. She sometimes says the wrong thing,” I hissed, blowing out a breath as I exited the freeway, heading toward Newport. I had been here several times in my life, and the beach called to me like magic, the scent of the sea exhilarating, even before it was visible.
“No worries.”
I glanced back toward him, and then to Liv, who was already digging through her purse for some gum. I wished I could move on so quickly; it would be better that way, to live in the moment instead of letting the memory of unwanted things traumatize the future. I always knew she would be happier in life than me, always. A short memory was cause for a happy, long life.
“So where do you want to be dropped off? We’re headed to Newport Beach. Got some contacts there that want us to play at their bar.” I gripped the steering wheel, noticing how my hands always got wild with flitting movement when I talked. He couldn’t see them, so why do it? Biting my lip, I waited for his answer.
“Oh wow, you guys play? What kind of music?” He leaned forward, having forgotten my question the moment I had mentioned playing.
“Oh, you know—guitar, banjo, anything with bells, strings, or whistles.” I couldn’t help it; my fingers waved in the air, my wrist flicking about on its own accord, acting as though I was shaking a tambourine. Blushing red again, I dropped it into my lap and clenched the steering wheel even tighter with my other. “We sing too. A duet at times, but Liv does a lot of the solo voice work. I’m pretty much just backup.”
Saul leaned forward, his eyebrows hovering above the frames. “Wow! That’s amazing! I do some percussion, lots of looping drum beats, digital rhythms and stuff. You know, noise.” His voice came in louder now, obviously hitting a point of interest for him. “Maybe I can help you guys out sometime. I love to play. Actually, you’d be doing me a favor.” His enthusiasm was contagious. I was jumping in my seat from hearing his offer.
“Really? Wow, that’s really awesome of you!” I flicked my eyes to him, wondering if he was too good to be true. “You sure? That would help us loads! We have some equipment in the trunk. Maybe you can fiddle with it, make it work for you. It hates me, but Liv uses it sometimes. She’s just starting out on it, though, a newbie. We do a ton of just acoustic tunes, easiest to do.”
“Hell yeah, that would be awesome.” Saul leaned back, inhaling deeply, seemingly enjoying the salty ocean air too. His face lit up behind the shades, making my insides warm up, tingling from just looking at the man. He was eye candy if I ever saw any. “I can’t wait.”
Chapter Five