Chapter 20

“Where’s Carlton?” Murphy asked. He still had his maroon 12 Drummers shirt on, with just briefs, or maybe nothing. The shirt was pretty long.

“H-he’s a-a-a-asleep,” AC told him.

“No kidding. Carlton never sleeps. Not for long, anyway. We’ll leave him be. The rest of you…” Murphy clapped once. “Same drill, no matter where we settle in for the night.” He turned to AC. “We do vocal warmups to sing on key in our dreams, and a huddle to say good night. Join us.” He took AC’s hand. “In place of Carlton.”

“I d-d-don’t sing.”

“It’s just la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la.” Murphy had perfect pitch as he climbed the scale. “Now, you know all the words.” His sweet, friendly grin was perfection as well.

Rohan’s wasn’t half bad, either. “Think of it like this.” When he played up AC’s spine like a piano, showing him the tempo, it brought a shiver. “Stand next to me.”

“Or me,” Emery suggested.

“Or me. I’m the boss.” Murphy sidled up closer.