by Nikki Ashton
“Yeah,” Jake said. “Last time we tried you puked your guts up.”
Luke shook his head. “I just have to admit that it’s been too long,” he said. “I don’t have what it takes anymore.”
“Come on Luke, keep trying, all you need is practice,” Tom said. He started to strum out another tune, nodding his head at Jake and Skins to join in.
“Never hate me,” Luke sang out, but the sound was nothing like it should have been. “Fuck this, it’s not working.”
He pushed his microphone stand across the room and stormed out, knocking Jake’s favourite electric blue Stratocaster to the floor.
“Hey watch my baby,” Jake cried, rushing over to rescue his guitar.
“Shit,” Tom groaned. “He’s not going to be able to do it, is he?” He looked at Skins, who, despite his own problems, was the man they all turned to in times of trouble.
“He will, we just need to figure out a way to get him to believe in himself.” Skins started to drum out a slow, quiet beat as he lost himself in thought. After a couple of minutes he stopped and got up from his stool. “I’m going to call Neil, to see if he has any ideas,” he said. “You two go and get Luke back here. My guess is he’ll be in the pool room.”
Jake and Tom nodded and, putting down their guitars, followed Skins out of the studio.
Unfortunately Skins wasn’t able to get hold of Neil, their old manager. He knew that he was overseas at the moment, working with a new rock band that he was trying to get noticed. Skins left him a voicemail and then wandered back into the house through the lounge patio doors.
“Oh hi Martha,” he said as spotted her polishing the coffee table.
“Hi, are you okay?” Martha said. “I thought you’d all be playing for hours yet, I haven’t even started dinner.”
Skins shook his head. “No, no, I just had a phone call to make. Where’s Stace, do you know?”
“She’s gone for a walk to the shop.” Martha grinned at Skins. “Something about dark chocolate.”
“Ah right,” he replied. “The cravings have started early today. She normally lasts until after dinner.”
“Do you want me to send her down to you when she gets back?” Martha asked.
“No, it’s fine. Although, I know it’s a bit of a cheek, and not very rock and roll, but is there any chance we could have some coffee and biscuits, please?”
“Wow, and there was me expecting to see a T.V. appear through the window,” Martha said as she nudged him. “Of course you can, I’ll bring them down.”
“Don’t worry,” Skins said, shaking his head. “I’ll come back up for them.” He couldn’t risk Martha hearing the noise that Luke was making. She’d soon figure out the real reason that they didn’t perform anymore if she did. “Ten minutes?”
“Okay, no problem.”
Fifteen minutes later, and Skins still hadn’t reappeared for the coffee and biscuits. Martha was worried that the drinks would go cold if she left it much longer, so she picked up the tray and made her way across the vast hallway to the basement door. As she reached the bottom stair she looked past the mixing desk, through to the sound proofed performance room. She could see that Luke was agitated about something. He was pacing up and down, dragging his hand through his hair while Skins appeared to be talking to him earnestly, nodding his head and laying a hand on Luke’s shoulder each time he paced towards him. Tom was listening with his arms crossed across his chest while Jake was sitting on Skins’ drum stool, strumming his guitar.
Martha felt as though she should pinch herself. Here she was watching one of her favourite bands discuss their possible comeback, never mind working for the Sex God of Rock that was Luke Mahoney. She smiled as she watched him. God he was so sexy and handsome, and the rough stubble on his chin and cheeks made him look dangerous and even more desirable, if that was possible. He had been delicious at school, but he was more muscular now, and his cheek bones were sharper, emphasising his emerald eyes. “God, get a grip woman,” Martha muttered to herself as she stepped down into the control room. “He’s your boss for crying out loud.”
She spotted a table next to the mixing desk, and placed the tray down. As she looked up, she saw that Luke had his back to her, and Tom was passing him a microphone. Skins shifted around on his stool and started to drum. She couldn’t hear anything, but could see that they were all playing waiting for Luke to start singing. After a couple of minutes, Tom shot a glance at Skins and grimaced.
On the other side of the glass from Martha, things weren’t going well. Luke’s voice hadn’t improved since he’d stalked off. He wanted to give up, but Skins was gently coaxing him, whispering words of encouragement.
“Come on Luke, feel it inside of you…great, hit that top note…brilliant Luke, keep it up.”
Suddenly Luke turned around and spotted Martha. The note that he was singing wavered and then shrieked. Skins’ eyes followed Luke’s towards the glass.
“Fuck, just keep singing man. She can’t hear you, but you don’t want her to see you freak out.”
Jake looked up and smiled at Martha. “Hey we have a little hottie watching. That should make your day Luke.”
“Come on Luke, don’t let her see that there’s anything wrong.” Tom moved over to Luke and nudged him with his shoulder. “She needs to think this is all okay.”
Luke nodded and fixed his gaze on Martha as she poured out their coffee. As he continued to sing the more he watched her, the calmer he became. His heartbeat slowed down, his throat opened up and the clamminess left his palms. Just looking at her seemed to soothe him, to steady him, until he felt as though he was floating on a cloud.
By the second verse he was almost, but not quite, note perfect. As they finished the song, Luke, and the rest of the band, were euphoric. It hadn’t been a Grammy winning performance, but it had been a hundred times better than earlier.
“Quick,” Skins called. “Immobile, let’s keep this going.”
Skins beat the rhythm with his sticks before he and Jake launched into the intro. Then Tom’s bass kicked in, and finally Luke’s voice rang out.
“Shit,” Jake sighed as he strummed the final note, “this means we’re going to have to take Martha on tour with us.”
Skins grinned and beckoned Martha in. She opened the door slowly and poked her head in.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt you, but your coffee was ready.”
“Hey no problem,” Skins replied. “You’re amazing.”
“It’s only coffee and biscuits,” Martha said with a frown. “Well, admittedly they are homemade biscuits.”
“No way,” Tom cried putting down his guitar and rushing out to the control room.
“Hey leave us some.” Jake pushed past Luke and followed Tom.
“I’ll leave you to it.” Martha glanced at Luke who was looking down at the floor. He hadn’t spoken since she’d opened the door; in fact he hadn’t even acknowledged her existence. Skins followed her eyes.
“Thanks Martha, we really appreciate everything that you’ve done today,” he said.
“Okay, well dinner will be in a couple of hours, so don’t eat too many biscuits.”
Martha walked away, smiling at Jake and Tom as they stuffed biscuits into their mouths. Just as she reached the stairs, Martha felt a hand on her shoulder. She looked around to see Luke.
He was smiling, but it didn’t light up his eyes. In fact there almost appeared to be fear in them. “Thank you, Martha.” It was so quiet it was almost whispered. “For everything.” He then turned and walked back over to the rest of the band, and with slumped shoulders, poured himself a cup of coffee.
Chapter 14
Luke Mahoney had never felt scared in his life. Okay, he was currently suffering from major stage fright, but that was nothing to how terrified he had become about his feelings for Martha. It had all started as a laugh, flirting with her, and if he got her into bed that was a bonus, but last night, when he watched her while he sang, something c
hanged inside him. He realised that it was no longer about just getting her into bed.
He’d always found her sexy, that was a given, but when Jake started to flirt with her, he couldn’t help but feel jealous, and when they were in the recording studio, his feelings had shifted dramatically. Now he couldn’t get her off his mind. Yes he’d thought about her a lot before, usually naked, but now he wanted to be with her every minute, he wanted to hear her laugh, her voice. He wanted all of Martha, yet since Rachel had arrived Luke knew that he’d been nothing short of rude to Martha, by ignoring her. Plus, he was no good for her. Despite how strong she appeared, Luke knew that where matters of the heart were concerned she was romantic and gentle and he didn’t want to hurt her, which he undoubtedly would.
Luke had always known that he and Rachel weren’t the real deal, but he’d liked her and enjoyed her company. Now, he simply found her irritating. The silly voice when she called him ‘baby’ had long since ceased to be endearing, and the false tits and hair just didn’t do it for him anymore.
“So,” Jake said, “where is the lovely Medusa this morning?”
They were all eating breakfast, except for Rachel, whose absence had lifted the atmosphere somewhat. Last night at dinner, Luke had been quiet and sulky and had snapped at Rachel when she complained that Martha’s chicken casserole was too salty. Rachel then stormed off to bed without eating another mouthful.
“No idea.” Luke shrugged. “She was up before I woke this morning.”
“Ooh has she left?” Stacey asked.
“Her clothes are still strewn across my bedroom floor, so I doubt it,” Luke said, looking past Stacey through the open kitchen door. His eyes searched for Martha. Why she wasn’t in the kitchen with them?
“She’s taken your mum into town,” Tom said, biting into a piece of toast. “Went about half an hour ago.”
Luke frowned. “Who, Rachel?” God that was a shock, his mother couldn’t stand Rachel.
Tom grinned. “No, Martha.”
Stacey nudged Tom and snorted, trying to hide a laugh.
“Did you choke on something, Stace?” Jake asked.
“Yep,” she replied with a cough.
Jake and Tom burst into laughter, while Stacey desperately bit at her top lip to stop herself from joining in.
“What the hell is so funny?” Luke asked as he sat back in his chair.
“Luke did you know your earlobes go red when you’re angry?”
“No Jake I didn’t, but please can we just have breakfast in peace without you juveniles giving me shit.”
Just then Skins came into the kitchen; he smiled at them all before bending down to kiss Stacey on her neck.
“Morning beautiful,” he said.
“You only saw her about ten minutes ago,” Tom groaned. “Christ if it’s not Luke making cow eyes at Martha, and Rachel making cow eyes at Luke, it’s you two kissing and cuddling like a pair of teenagers.”
“When you fall in love, Tom, you’ll understand.” Stacey poked Tom in his side.
“What the hell do you mean, I make cow eyes at Martha?” Luke said with a scowl. “I do not.”
“Yes you do.” Jake, Stacey and Tom chorused.
“Admit it man, you have it bad for that girl.” Skins sat down next to Luke and slapped his back.
Apart from Stacey, they’d all seen how Martha’s presence had calmed Luke down in the studio the previous day. That along with his furtive glances the rest of the day had just proved what they’d all thought since they’d arrived.
“I do not,” he said again, almost as if he was trying to convince himself.
“Do so,” Jake said with a mouthful of cereal. “Why do you think I’ve been flirting with her? I mean, she’s very, very sexy and extremely lovely, but I could see it the minute we walked through the door that you wanted her for yourself, and who can resist a bit of Luke baiting?”
“Shut the fuck up, Jake,” Luke growled like a bear with toothache. “You’re talking shit as usual.”
“Whatever you tell yourself, Luke, but it’s pretty obvious that, despite having Medusa hanging off your arm, she’s not the one that yanks your chain.” Jake shook his head and leaned across Luke for a piece of toast. “And she can cook too, so if you really don’t want her then let me know because I would be more than happy to jump off the substitute’s bench.”
Luke’s hands fisted by his sides as he looked at Jake’s cocky grin. He hated that he was talking about Martha like that, but even more he hated that Jake was threatening to try it on with her. He’d seen how Martha’s smile sparkled when Jake flirted with her, whereas he just seemed to make her nervous and jittery.
“Jake, I’m warning you. Don’t talk about her like that, and stay the fuck away from her.” Luke pointed a finger at Jake.
“Oof did that hurt?” Jake asked.
Luke’s eyebrows knitted together. “Eh?”
“Did it hurt when the obvious hit you right between the eyes? You want her but are too chicken to do anything about it.” Jake took hold of Luke’s extended finger and kissed the tip of it.
“Come on now Jake, leave Luke alone,” Skins said as he helped himself to some coffee. “He’s not a chicken, more a pussy.”
Luke shot out of his chair, almost pushing it over. “I’m neither a chicken nor a pussy. I like her as a friend, nothing more, because she works for me.”
Luke stormed out of the kitchen leaving the sounds of hens and cats behind him.
When Martha and Lucia got back, an uneasy truce had descended between Luke and everyone else. He was, however, keeping his distance from them. He hadn’t wanted to fight with Jake, and knew that if he kept up with his crap, then that’s what would happen.
Luke was in the kitchen when Martha and Lucia walked through the door.
“Hi,” he said as he looked up from spooning coffee into his mug. “Good shopping trip then?.” He nodded down at the shopping bags in Lucia and Martha’s hands.
“Oh we had a lovely morning, what about you?” Lucia asked
Luke turned away, not wanting them to see his involuntary frown. “Yeah great, we all just chilled out.”
“I’ll start lunch soon,” Martha said to Lucia. “Are sandwiches okay?”
“Fine with me,” Lucia said. “Luciano?”
“Yeah, great,” Luke replied. “Just give us a shout when it’s ready.” He didn’t look at Martha, but picked up his mug and went to his study, slamming the door behind him.
“Oh dear someone is feeling a little tetchy today. I don’t know where my son gets his moodiness from.”
Martha didn’t answer, but started to prepare lunch. As far as she was concerned he was acting just like he had at school – a big headed, obnoxious, idiot and she wondered how she could have ever wanted to be his friend.
The next two days passed without incident. Dirty Riches continued to practice, but each time they appeared from the studio Luke’s mood had darkened and he would storm into the dining room to pour himself a glass of Jack Daniel’s. Jake continued to flirt with Martha, but usually when they were all together; if it was just the two of them in the room he was funny and engaging and didn’t flirt at all. Martha guessed that he was trying to rile Luke, by messing with a member of his staff, but as Luke’s mood seemed to be constantly dour and miserable anyway, she wasn’t sure whether Jake’s attempts to wind Luke up were having any effect at all. Rachel and Luke appeared to have reached an impasse, with neither of them talking to each other except for one word answers. Rachel, however, seemed determined to flog the dead horse and stuck around, and did at least try to join in with everyone else’s conversations.
Finally, four days after they had arrived, everyone was packed up and ready to leave. Stacey hugged Lucia and then grabbed Martha.
“Thank you so much for all the wonderful food,” she said squashing Martha to her. “And I was serious about the cooking lessons.”
“No problem, just ring me whenever you want to start.” Martha hugged
her back.
“Oh, and take no notice of Luke,” Stacey whispered. “He’s not normally such a grump, I can tell he likes you.”
Martha sighed and shook her head. “He’s just my boss.”
“Whatever.” Stacey grinned and released Martha from her grip.
“See ya then sweetheart.” Jake pulled Martha too him and slapped a kiss on her lips. “Don’t forget me,” he said with a wink.
“You’re going to miss your flight if you don’t get moving.” Luke stepped forward and dragged Jake’s case outside. Jake merely laughed and gave Stacey a nudge and a knowing look.
Once everyone had said goodbye and the door had closed behind them, silence engulfed the house. Instantly Martha could feel the emptiness and was sad that everyone had left. Everyone that is, except for Rachel who was still hanging around for some reason.
Luke coughed and turned towards the lounge.
“I’m going to take Rachel back to London, Mamma,” he said over his shoulder. “I have a meeting there tomorrow so I’ll stay at her place tonight.”
“Oh, okay,” Lucia replied, with a questioning look in her eyes. She turned to Martha. “I thought they’d fallen out,” she whispered.
Martha shrugged and managed a smile. “Obviously not. Well, I’ll go and strip all the beds.”
As Martha made her way up the stairs Luke stood in the doorway of the lounge and watched her, never once taking his eyes off her until she disappeared from view.
Chapter 15
During the week leading up to the Italy trip, Luke spent most of his time in London working at his record company and wine importing business, only coming home to spend Lucia’s birthday with her. He’d also announced that he was thinking about looking for an apartment there, as he was spending more and more time at his businesses.
“The travelling is a bitch, Mamma. How would you feel if I just came home for the odd weekend?” Luke asked, his eyes fixed firmly to the floor. He chose not to mention that as he could fly, or get a luxury limo and a driver to take the strain, the travelling wasn’t really a problem at all.