Always Read Free Page B

it’s like he’s allergic to a catchy chorus. It drives me crazy.”
    Dillon shrugged and smiled. “Earnest and brooding is all well and good alone in your bedroom, but there’s nothing wrong with a decent pop hook. Too many people forget that, in my opinion.”
    “I know!” Justine reached out and squeezed his arm briefly in her excitement. His eyes flickered down to her hand on his arm and he ignored an impulse to shift closer to her. “We fight about it all the time. God forbid we do something people can actually sing along to. That’s what I loved about what you did with your last album, by the way. The songs on the first one were solid, but you— I don’t know— it’s like you got down to the basic elements on the second one. You cleared out all the extra sound and I could really hear how good they were.”
    Dillon laughed. “You want to follow me around all day telling me how awesome I am? Because I could get used to this.”
    Justine smiled and looked down in her drink, for a second looking almost bashful. “I just really admire you as a musician. God, that sounds so lame, but it’s true.”
    Dillon nudged her elbow. “After tonight, I could say the same about you. It takes a hell of a performer to make mediocre songs that much fun to listen to. I meant it when I said they were lucky to have you.”
    “That… I can’t tell you how amazing it is that you think so. I need to shut up before I keep gushing and thoroughly embarrass myself.”
    “Trust me, there’s no chance.”
    Justine exhaled. “So, can I ask you a question about the album? It’s been driving me crazy.”
    “Shoot.”
    “The bridge on Falling … It reminded me of something. Were you thinking about anything in particular when you wrote it?”
    Dillon took a drag on his beer while he thought about it. “Back when I was writing it, I was listening to this crazy album from the 90’s… some random thing nobody knows. Astral was the band. Anyway—”
    Justine cut him off. “I love Astral.”
    “You know Astral? Nobody knows Astral.”
    “ I know Astral! I heard them once at this party in high school. I wouldn’t rest until I tracked down a CD. The album was amazing.”
    “Right? They had that retro-psychedelic thing going on, but with a beat.”
    “Yes! And the harmonies in Rewind Time … I could listen to it for the rest of my life.”
    “I love that one, too. It’s always blown my mind those guys weren’t huge. But they made the one record nobody bought and then they vanished.”
    “The lead singer OD’d. At least that’s what I heard.”
    “Shit, are you kidding?”
    “I met this DJ who knew them back then. He told me.”
    “What a waste.” Dillon shook his head. “I still can’t believe you like that band. Do you know Paul Westley?”
    “Oh my God, yes! I love him!” Justine’s eyes lit up with delight, and Dillon had to smile at her enthusiasm. “What about The Masters? Not this last album. The first one.”
    “Yes, the first album for sure. Freaking genius. The second album was a total letdown.”
    “Agreed. Abigail Christiansen?”
    The next ten minutes passed in a blur as they traded music and influences. Dillon knew more music, including a dozen indie bands Justine had never heard of, but when they touched on a band they both knew, invariably, they felt the same about the music. She was electrified by the conversation, and by finding someone who saw everything just the way she did. The fact that it was a musician she idolized only made it better. The fact that it was Dillon — good-looking, mysterious Dillon— was the delicious icing on the cake.
    They paused just long enough for Dillon to lean across the bar and flag down the bartender for more drinks. Justine watched the muscles in his biceps flex as he leaned forward on his elbows. He drummed his fingers on the bar while he gave their order. His hands were amazing, long, agile, guitar-player’s hands. She caught herself licking her lips and