Chapter 158
Sage flicked her hair coolly. “Ain’t that right? Don’t I have that rizz?”
Michael was tickled by her cheeky remarks. He nodded and praised her. “Gosh, you’re so sassy and smart on stage. You can even hold a candle to a professional drummer.”
“You have good taste!” Sage patted him on the arm. “Come! I’ll buy you some
drinks.”
“Miss, what about us? We want drinks too!” Michael’s bandmates crowded
around her.
Feeling in her element, she generously waved them over. “Join us! I’ll buy drinks. for everyone!”
The group sat around Sage in a spacious booth. They ordered a load of snacks and drinks as they showered Sage with compliments.
“I can’t believe that a tiny woman like you can drum so well!”
“Right? She’s so cool when she plays with the drumsticks. Miss, why don’t you join our band?” Kai suggested. “You can play the drums alongside Nail. I’m sure the audience will succumb to the charisma of you two!”
“Agreed! If you join us, you’ll be more popular with the fans than Michael!“”
Michael chimed in with a grin, “That goes without saying. I’m no match for her.”
Sage felt invigorated by the youthful energy around her. Her last passionate drumming performance dated back to a freshman party, where she had been complimented by other freshmen.
A notable music instructor appreciated her talent and even offered to take her as a student. Alas, she turned down the offer as she worried that Ian might not like a drummer girl.
After college, a few of the students under that music instructor ended up
launching successful music careers. She could have been one of them if only she hadn’t turned down the opportunity..
Returning to the present, she replied, “I know you’re keen to have me join your band and boost your popularity, but I’m sorry. I have other career plans, so I can’t accept your invitation.” She even shook her head, feigning arrogance.
The bandmates played along with her. They exclaimed, “Shucks! What a pity!”
“Yeah! A legendary drummer disappearing into the wild!”
Amid all the shouting, the guys laughed and cheered. “Come on, guys! Let’s drink to our cool Miss Joyner!”
Kai and his friends raised their glasses. Sage, not wanting to be a spoilsport, lifted hers as well. “Cheers!”
After a few rounds, Michael stopped the others from pouring Sage more drinks as he was worried that she might not be able to take it.
Although they were under the influence of alcohol, the band went onstage to perform again, leaving Michael behind. He stared at Sage’s flushed cheeks and inquired, “Miss, are you okay?”
“Of course!” She beamed at him. “Thanks, Michael. I had fun today.”
Michael suddenly found himself avoiding her twinkling eyes. He poured her some water and said, “Miss, if you enjoy doing this, you can always drop by more often. Why not consider
Kai’s suggestion? Join our band, please.”
He handed a glass of water to Sage and added honestly, “You show great passion and excellent stick control. If you keep on practicing, you’ll catch up with the professional drummers in no time.”
She took a tiny sip and smiled. “Thanks for your trust, but I’ll leave it to you guys to pursue your dreams in music. I’ll just take it as a hobby.”
She might have given their proposal serious consideration had she met them in college. At this point, she had become too preoccupied with worldly concerns, and she feared that she couldn’t play music with such pure passion again.
Time flew by as she chatted with her friends at the bar and played rock–paper- scissors.
