BLACK to Reality Read Online Free PDF Page A

how to play.”
    “Start practicing.”
    “I don’t have a guitar.”
    “That could be a problem.”
    Black frowned. “I don’t suppose you have an extra I could borrow for a few days?”
    “Do I look like the local pawn shop or something?”
    “That’s what I figured.”
    “Then again, it might be worth it to watch you humiliate yourself. So yes, I do have a guitar. A Gibson SG. Like Angus plays.”
    “Really?”
    “Really. And only because I’m totally bitchin’ will I let you borrow it.”
    “Can we get it now?”
    She opened her purse and removed a bottle of black nail polish. “I’m kind of busy.”
    “Think about how embarrassing it’ll be for me.”
    “You driving?”
    On the way to Roxie’s apartment she had the bright idea to call one of her friends who played in a cover band and ask if Black could sit in on a few songs. When she hung up, she had an evil smirk of triumph on her face.
    “Tonight’s your lucky night. He said no sweat.”
    “Roxie, I’m not sure I’m ready for that…”
    “Bullshit. After a few hours of playing this afternoon, it’ll all come back. If you’re going to be jamming in front of thousands, you need to get used to going out there and putting it on the line.”
    “You’re not just doing this to watch me crater in front of an audience, are you?”
    She struggled to keep the delight out of her eyes. “I can’t believe you suspect my motives. Of course that’s why. I’m bringing popcorn.”
    “You’re going to be there?”
    “Absolutely. This will be better than Mel Gibson on a jag. I actually almost peed my pants when Josh agreed to let you sit in.”
    “Don’t you have a show or rehearsal or something?”
    “Nope. Wide open. Can’t wait.”
    “You’re not really pumping me full of confidence.”
    “I hope you don’t freak out or anything. Like run screaming off the stage. Or freeze. The worst is when they freeze. They say you never get the sound of the jeering out of your head after that. It haunts you forever.”
    “That’s good to know. But remember, I used to play big clubs all the time, so I’m not exactly a virgin.”
    The guitar was serviceable, the strings fairly new, and Black nodded in approval as he set the case in the back of the Cadillac. Roxie handed him two plastic picks and returned to the passenger seat.
    “Come on. Let’s get to jamming, wild stone! Woohoo,” she said, feigning enthusiasm.
    “You really need to work on your bedside manner.”
    “Is that one of your thinly veiled and super-creepy sexual innuendos? Ew. I should so sue your ass. I would if you had any money.”
    “You should wait until I’m a rock star again. I hear it pays well.”
    “Wouldn’t know to look at you.”
    Back at the office he tuned the guitar and began the rusty first runs up the frets. Roxie sat at her desk and listened for a half hour, and then picked Mugsy up and carried him to Black’s doorway.
    “I can’t take it. I’m leaving.”
    “Come on. It’s not that bad.”
    “It sounds like two chickens fighting.”
    “But in a good way.”
    “It’s scarring Mugsy for life.”
    Black brightened. “Are you taking him?”
    “Of course not. I’m just debating calling animal protective services and filing a cruelty complaint.”
    “Which end’s his head again?”
    She set Mugsy down. “Pick me up at my place at nine.”
    “You’re serious about this.”
    “I don’t have any money to go to a movie with, so this is the cheapest free entertainment I’m going to get. Besides, I’m debating calling your friends and your parents and selling tickets.”
    “Roxie…”
    “Kidding. But have a few bucks available to buy us drinks. You’re going to need ’em, and I get thirsty.”
    Her leather-clad bottom sashayed away, managing to be simultaneously alluring and insulting, and he returned to running scales, trying to get his fingers to obey his brain’s commands. So far the fingers were winning, but some of his chops were returning,