* * * *
“The band is good,” Greer said as he, Jose, and Dimitri walked around Lafreniere Park. They closed the shop an hour early so they could make it over to the park to hear the bands before it got too late.
Dimitri nodded. Mr. Dubisson had told him about the festival and thought he could check out the competition so he could figure out what type of music he wanted to start practicing. The older man had agreed to give him lessons on Thursday nights and so far he’d taken four classes.
Greer had jumped at the chance to get the band together again and who knew that Jose used to play the trumpet in a band back in Fort Worth before he migrated to New Orleans?
“Yes they are and I especially like the fiddling.”
“I like zydeco,” Jose said, dancing to the music as they strolled.
Greer stopped abruptly, and Dimitri almost ran into him.
“What’s up, man?”
Greer pointed. “Isn’t that your stuff shaking it down with that other violinist from the music school?” Dimitri looked into the direction Greer pointed. He paled. Eli.
He’d been avoiding him for a month and here he was dancing like a wood nymph in the park in front of hundreds of people. “Yes,” he said. “My ex-stuff.”
“You never did tell me what happened between the two of you?”
“His father told me to stay away from him,” Dimitri answered.
“And you listened?” Jose asked. “Why? He’s over eighteen.”
“Because apparently I’m not good enough for him.” Greer continued to watch Eli and Randall dance. “He has some mad moves, man. The other princess too. They look good together.”
“Except Eli doesn’t look much like a princess now. He seems more like the seme,” Jose replied.
Dimitri ignored Jose’s last statement. “No they do not look good together. Come on, let’s get out of here.”
“Don’t you want to go over and say hello?” Greer asked.
“No,” Dimitri said. “It’s over.” He walked toward one of the concession stands in search of beer. Jose and Greer followed him.
“You think the two of them are dating?” Greer asked Dimitri once they’d gotten their drinks.
“No,” Dimitri said. “Randall is just a good friend.” Eli ruffled his hand through Randall’s long, black hair and Randall ran behind him. Dimitri smirked. “They’re just two kids.” Another older teen walked up and wrapped his arm around Eli’s neck.
The two of them wrestled a little and they slapped hands.
“Oh, oh, who is that?” Jose asked. “He’s fine.” Dimitri kept his gaze trained on the newcomer. He had short, black hair, a muscular build, and he was taller than both Eli and Randall. Eli smiled as the newcomer spoke with him. Dimitri’s heart quivered. He hadn’t seen him smile like that before. “Probably another friend.”
“They look pretty chummy,” Jose said.
“Let’s go,” Dimitri said. He couldn’t stand what he saw or himself.
“They’re coming this way,” Jose said.
“Damn,” Dimitri said. The look on Eli’s face when he recognized him nearly broke his heart. First shock, then confusion, and then hate.
“Hey, aren’t you Mr. Dubisson’s friend?” Randall asked Dimitri.
“The violinist?”
“Yes,” Dimitri said. “Nice to see you again.”
“Don’t you remember him, Eli? He came to visit the music school a couple of months ago.”
“Oh yeah,” Eli finally said, not looking him in the eye. “How are you doing?”
“I’m fine,” Dimitri said. “Who is your other friend?” The other kid was practically leaning all over Eli. He seemed a little older that Eli and Randall, but younger than him and his friends.
“This is my cousin, Dexter,” Randall told him.
Dimitri continued to look the young man over. He found him decent looking, and he had a muscular upper body like he played sports. And if he didn’t get his arm from around Eli’s shoulder he might kill him. “Nice to meet you, Dexter. These are my friends Greer and Jose.”
Dexter nodded at the other two men. “You guys have some great tats. Who did them?”
“We did,” Greer answered. “We’re tattoo artists.”
“Cool,” Dexter said. “I’ve always thought about getting one.” Greer pulled out a business card and handed it to Dexter. “Come on over when you’re ready.”
“Thanks,” Dexter said.
“Are you a musician too?” Dimitri asked Dexter.
Dexter finally removed his arm and extended his hand to Dimitri.
“No, I’m a student at LSU in Baton Rouge. I’m on the football team.” That would explain the build but not his invasion of Eli’s personal space. Eli couldn’t look him in the face. He just pretended to be bored by casually looking around the park.
“Dexter is a senior,” Randall announced.
“Are you kids enjoying the festival?” Dimitri asked.
“It’s okay,” Dexter said. “I just came out to see the band Brussels.
The other bands are pretty lame.”
Jose kept checking the young man out but not saying a word.
Dimitri smirked. Apparently Dexter had a tin ear. The other bands were great. “You came all the way from Baton Rouge to hear one band?”
Dexter shook his head. “No, I came home to go to Randall’s recital tomorrow and to hear Eli perform his solo.”
The recital. He’d forgotten about it. And he’d gotten tickets for him, Greer, and Jose to attend.
“Are you coming to the recital?” Randall asked Dimitri.
Dimitri could surely see why Eli could be interested in Randall all of a sudden. The kid had a beautiful face, nice hair, and an enthusiastic personality that Dimitri hadn’t noticed until today.
“Sorry. I have other plans.”
Eli finally lifted his eyes and stared into his. “Come on you guys.
Let’s head over to Bourbon Street to see what’s happening.”
“Aren’t you a little too young for Bourbon Street?” Greer
