Rumor has it

 

"What!" Rafe was not happy to hear about KC's news. "What do we need her for?"

KC only sighed. "It's the only way I can get Tyra off my back." He was straight-lipped about it.

"Tyra?" Rafe winced. "Who's she?"

"She was at the concert," KC figured Rafe would have forgotten about the blonde girl. Especially, since he had one of his own.

KC liked her once, but not as much as she liked him. Of course, it was nothing to the magnitude as with Rafe and Kimmy. It was more of just a music thing. She wanted to sing with him, and it was a lot of fun to just play music together, but she was in college now and he really didn't want to be part of her crowd. He didn't think she would really want to see him again since he was in high school, But the concert changed everything and he needed to find someone so Tyra wouldn't be begging to be in his band.

"You're a softie, you know," Rafe told him. 

"I'm just trying to keep the peace, and I think Harley is the ticket," he almost smiled. He fondly remembered her from art class. She could talk to everyone and then she would suddenly do art and it was always worth finding out what she came up with. Oh, she might not be the art teacher's pet, but it was pretty darn adorable. It was like she didn't care what the teacher thought and KC always liked her from afar.

"Like unrequited?" Rafe made a face of disgust.

"No." KC winced hard. "It's not like that. It's not."

"Whatever," Rafe shrugged back as if he didn't care. They did have a few gigs coming up with the Farmer's Market and even the Riverfest. It wasn't like they would cross the state line. Mainly, their venues were part of the summer activities at the park. It was a chance just to be on stage. By August they would play at the Sokal on Open Mic night.

"What's she gonna do?" Rafe always had more questions.

"I need a drummer," KC nodded. If Meg White could do it, so could Harley.

"Well, they are being so much cozier now," Alfie mentioned to Zoey after they met up with Nora and Gage at the farmer's market. "Did you see how he had his arm around her?"

Zoey almost burst into laughter. "I know it's killing you, thinking those two might-"

"Don't say it," he shook his head no. It was best to just leave them alone. He unloaded the baked bread and fresh vegetables. He couldn't imagine what Zoey had in mind for all this food.

Just then his cell went off in his back pocket. It was his dad calling. Alfie couldn't imagine why he'd be calling. He answered it with a "Hullo."

His dad had found a place at the lake. "Oh, it's just for a few weeks. I said I would rent it from a friend who doesn't have time to be there."

"What kind of place?" Alfie didn't think his dad liked being anywhere but home. 

"Just a camp," he said. "You and Zoey should come."

"Sure." He smiled, thinking this was actually the first time his dad invited him anywhere. He imagined Boone would be there so he didn't ask. "Thanks, I'll let Zoey know." He finished up the conversation and clicked off.

"What?" She looked at him as if he was too happy for his own good.

"We're going to the lake," Alfie's smile was open.