by Marie Meyer
“I was going to tell you, but things have been so busy. And now all this shit with Adam. Besides, I knew you were starting school this week and I didn’t want to distract you,” I said quietly. She didn’t need to worry about my shit on top of her own.
She pursed her lips together, a telltale sign that she was pissed. “That’s bullshit and you know it. I always want to know what’s going on with you. No matter what.”
She was so stinking cute when she was mad. Her cheeks turned a dark shade of pink and her lips…don’t even get me started on those. It was probably best I didn’t think about her lips. They were lethal.
If I played my cards right, I knew she couldn’t stay mad at me if I gave her one of my I’m-sorry-I-fucked-up smiles. “Forgive me?” I asked sweetly, turning the corners of my smile into a pout.
“Yes,” she grumbled. “But you better not do it again. You better fucking call me the instant something happens.” She pointed a finger at the screen in warning.
“Yes, ma’am.” I saluted.
Changing the subject again, she asked, “You said Adam broke his wrist? How did that happen?”
I relaxed into the chair and gave her the highlights. “We were at the Sig Nu house last night, and according to Adam, he saw a frat boy with his hands all over Trina.”
“Uh-oh,” she breathed.
“Yeah, Adam went ballistic. He chucked his drumstick at the guy’s head and went after him. Adam said the dude had a jaw made of fucking steel. Needless to say, he couldn’t finish the set and we had to pack up and leave.”
She listened intently, nodding as she absorbed the ugly story. “Ugh, I’m sorry.”
“We can’t afford to cancel the rest of our shows. And there’s no way in hell I’m going to miss out on what this producer wants just because Adam can’t control his fucking temper. We’re going to have to replace him until he can play again,” I said.
“Anyone in mind?” she asked.
“Not off the top of my head. We’ll figure something out, though. I don’t want to talk about Adam, it just pisses me off.” I shoved my hair off of my forehead and pulled a tactic from her book: It was time to change the subject. “You said some jackass was hitting on you last night?” I needed to know more about this clown, because when it came time for me to visit her, I wanted to know his name.
“Yeah, but don’t worry about it. He knew I was not interested,” she said, shrugging it off.
I was just about to ask her how she gotten rid of him, when my doorbell rang. “Hold on a second, Bean.” I set my iPad down and went to the door.
I pulled it open, and Erin stood on the other side. She looked incredible, dressed in tight bright-blue pants and a white lacy top that revealed another blue shirt underneath. Having been around Jillian and her love of clothing for so many years, it astounded me how much work girls put into their wardrobes. But I certainly appreciated the effort.
“Hey, Peach.” I stepped aside to let her in.
She leaned close, kissing me. I gave her a quick peck, not wanting Jillian to see or hear Erin and me lip-locked. Strange, I know. Over the years Jillian had seen me with plenty of girls. I couldn’t explain my reaction. Unease settled in the pit of my stomach, a feeling I wasn’t used to.
“Hey, Rock Star. You look nice,” she drawled, giving me two thumbs up. “You ready?”
“Yep.” I stepped back, heading over to the recliner, where I’d left my iPad. “I was just talking to Jillian while I waited for you.” I picked it up and sat back down, centering myself in the frame. Erin sat on the arm of the chair, leaning over my shoulder. Awkward didn’t even begin to describe this situation. Showing any kind of affection toward Erin felt wrong in Jillian’s presence, and I didn’t feel like I could be myself with Jillian while Erin was in the room.
My heart tapped out a staccato beat that I felt in my temples. A headache was on the horizon.
“Hi, Jillian,” Erin said, waving.
Jillian smiled and waved back. “Hi, Erin.”
This was awkward on so many levels. I needed to wrap things up. “Hey, Bean, we need to get going. I’ll call you later and let you know what the producer said.”
“Sounds good.” I could see sadness clouding her eyes, making them darker.
“Bye, Jillian,” Erin shouted over my shoulder.
“Bye, guys,” she said.
“Bye, Bean.” I smiled and disconnected the call. I hated to end our conversation so abruptly, but now that Erin was here, things didn’t feel right. I didn’t want Jillian to see me with Erin.
“Well, that was a nice surprise, getting to talk to Jillian this morning,” Erin said, trying to relieve some of the awkward tension in the room.
I shrugged and stood up, trying to ignore the weird vibes coursing through me. “Um, yeah, it was.”
Erin stood, too. “You all right?”
I gave her an awkward smile. “Yeah. Just nervous.” I looked back toward the kitchen and said, “What the fuck is Thor doing? We need to leave.” I turned back to Erin and held up my index finger. “Be right back.”
She nodded. “Sure thing.”
I walked into the kitchen and yelled up the stairs. “Yo, Thor, we going to do this thing?”
Seconds later he stomped down the stairs looking pissed off. “It is too fucking early.”
“Get over it, dude. Let’s go.”
Thor flipped me off and walked over to the counter, grabbing the keys to the van. “You ready?”
“Yeah, but I’m riding with Erin,” I said, heading back into the living room.
Thor opened the back door. “Meet you there.”
I rounded the corner and saw Erin sitting in my recliner, messing around on her phone. “Mind if we take your car?” I asked.
“Not at all.” She tossed me the keys.
I caught them and let out a giant breath. This meeting had the potential to launch Mine Shaft into the world or bury us alive, and it all hinged on how much mercy Leo Dane was willing to grant us.
Chapter Ten
On our way into the city, Erin messed with the radio every three minutes. I could feel a headache coming on. I was tense, on edge, and in a piss-poor mood by the time we were stopped in traffic on the bridge. When Erin went to change the radio station for the tenth time, I put my hand on hers and shook my head. “Please don’t.” Maybe it had been a mistake asking her to come along.
She turned her eyes to me and smiled. “You like the ‘Cups’ song?”
“No.” I shook my head. “But I can’t take the channel surfing right now.” I reached for the volume dial and turned it down.
“Aw, come on. It’s got a catchy tune.”
I didn’t play along and put my attention back on the road.
Erin sat back in her seat and gave me a defeated look. “OK, then…” She trailed off and turned her head toward the passenger side window.
I blew out a frustrated breath and reached for her hand. “I’m sorry. Just nervous,” I lied. It wasn’t nerves. I’d been waiting for this day since I was fifteen. I had played through every scenario in my head and none of them had ever gone down like this. Nothing about this day felt right. Yet despite all the shit with Adam, the one thing that felt the most fucked up was the fact that Erin was sitting beside me and not Jillian. I couldn’t shake my discontentment.
Erin looked at me. “Everything is going to be fine. Don’t worry.” She squeezed my shoulder reassuringly.
Inching along through the traffic on the bridge, I stole a quick look, flashing her a smile before turning my attention back to the parking lot in front of me. That was Erin, always so positive. I had to give her credit, she tried. But I didn’t think I’d ever stop comparing her to Jillian. Jillian got me. She understood. I could hear her now: Yeah, Adam fucked up. There’s nothing you can do to change that. You’re going to go into that meeting today and show Leo Dane how much he needs Mine Shaft.
Jillian was my cheerleader. Without her, my life didn’t have the same verve.
* * *
At Amphion Productions, I parked Erin’s blue Mustang near the back of the parking lot, hoping to avoid some asshole’s planting their door into the side of her beautiful automobile.
I turned off the ignition and got out, walking around the front of the car to open Erin’s door. I offered my hand, and she placed hers into mine, standing. Side by side, she and I were almost the same height. It was very different from how Jillian fit to my side—I could tuck Jillian safely under my arm, where she fit perfectly. Not Erin, though. She was all legs, which made her an outstanding volleyball player.
“Well,” I said. “This is it.” I sucked in a huge breath and blew it out. With my free hand, I put Erin’s car keys in my pocket and brushed my hair away from my forehead. Everything would work out fine. I just had to keep telling myself that.
Erin squeezed my hand. “You got this,” she said reassuringly.
I scanned the parking lot, looking for the guys, just as Thor pulled in, followed by Pauly and Adam.
Erin and I walked over to the van as Thor was climbing down.
“Hey, Erin,” Thor said, with a nod in her direction.
“Morning, Thor,” she replied, adjusting her purse strap and stepping closer to my side.
“Well, dudes. This is it.” Adam rounded the van, practically skipping. “We finally made it.”
“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.” I laced my fingers with Erin’s and pulled her with me toward the door. “Let’s not be late for our first meeting either.”
The guys followed. We crossed the parking lot, coming to a glass door with the record studio’s logo etched in white. I pulled it open and ushered Erin in before me.
The studio was a refurbished antique home, at odds with all the high-end recording equipment filling each room. Even the back wall, behind the reception desk, was lined with dozens of different kinds of guitars, some acoustic, others electric. It was an impressive display. It seemed the house itself was an anachronism with all the technology living inside it.
My eyes were scanning the wall, taking in the different instruments, when a tall, lanky hipster came around the corner. “May I help you?”
I stepped to the front, taking up my role as the band’s spokesperson. “We have a seven thirty meeting with Leo Dane,” I said.
“You’re Mine Shaft?” he asked, pushing his thick black-framed glasses up on his nose.
“Yes.” I nodded.
“I’m Leo. Pleased to meet you.” He held out his hand. I shook it, then he made the rounds, introducing himself to the rest of the guys.
After we exchanged pleasantries, Leo said, “Why don’t we head to the conference room, it’s a little more comfortable.”
“Sure,” Thor answered.
Adam, Pauly, and Thor followed Leo, and I brought up the rear. But as soon as I started down the hall with Erin by my side, it didn’t feel right. I needed Jillian right now and if Jillian couldn’t do this with me, then I didn’t want a stand-in.
I stopped abruptly and Erin bumped into my shoulder. “Griffin?” she said.
I felt terrible. I’d asked her to come and now I was going to ask her to wait in the lobby. Why do I keep trying to turn her into Jillian? It wasn’t fair to Erin. I shook my head before I spoke. “I’m sorry, peach. But I think it should just be the band that goes back.” I wrapped my arm around her shoulder and turned us toward the reception area. I felt her shoulders slump in disappointment. “I want to come off as professional as possible with this guy. I’m sorry,” I said again.
Erin shook her head, but the look on her face said something else. “I’m thrilled that you asked me to come to this meeting. I don’t mind waiting, Griffin.” She pulled her lips into a smile and sat down on the couch near the door.
“I’m sorry,” I said again.
“Knock it off. Get in there and make Mine Shaft a household name.” She winked, pulling her purse onto her lap. “I’ll be right here when you’re finished.”
I leaned down and kissed her quickly. “Thank you for understanding.” I smiled and jogged down the hall just as Adam was closing the door.
“Well, gentlemen,” Leo said, rounding a large mahogany table in the center of the room. “Please, take a seat.” He gestured to the numerous chairs pushed in around the table. “Thanks for coming in this morning.”
The four of us followed Leo’s cue and found chairs across from him, sitting down.
“Thank you for meeting with us,” I said.
Leo nodded. “So, guys. I’ll get right to the point. I’ve had your demo for a few months and I’ve been to a couple of your shows. I’m impressed with your sound and from what I’ve seen, you’ve got a solid fan base with the college students. Have you gotten much airplay?” he asked.
I smoothed my hands across my lap, trying to play it cool. “Yes. We get quite a lot of airplay at State. We’re booked solid for the next few months: frat parties, bar gigs, and some smaller festivals here in the city. I know the radio station manager at the university and he’s been very helpful in getting us prime exposure.” I took a deep breath, starting to relax into my role as Mine Shaft’s mouthpiece. Since Mine Shaft was my baby, I’d always taken the reins and the guys never complained. But this meeting would make or break us, and I did not want to fuck anything up. “State isn’t the only school that has Mine Shaft on their radar either. We’ve been picked up by a dozen college stations here in the city, too.”
Leo listened and nodded while he took notes. “Well, from the looks of it, it sounds like you guys have done your homework. And I must say, I’m impressed with the quality of your demo. Very professional.”
Thor looked at me and grinned. “That’s all Griffin,” he said. “He’s a perfectionist.”
“And perfection is what gets you noticed in this business, gentlemen,” Leo added.
In one sentence Leo Dane justified all my idiosyncrasies, all the arguments I’d had with the guys, trying to get them to be better. “Thank you, Mr. Dane,” I said, feeling vindicated.
“So here’s what I have to offer,” Leo said, pushing a document across the table toward the guys and me.
Excitement boiled in my veins. It took every ounce of my concentration to keep from pacing the room. “OK.” I took the paper from the table and glanced at the bold-faced letters at the top: “Amphion Productions Recording Contract.”
Holy shit. Is this really happening?
“Amphion Productions would like to sign Mine Shaft to a record deal.” Leo pushed his glasses up onto his nose. “This contract outlines the all the details in regards to terms, services, recording, production, and marketing.”
I listened intently to what Leo was saying, but the words “recording contract” reverberated in my head, making the rest of my body hum with excitement. I glanced at the document, my eyes scanning each section. Words like “exclusivity” and “work product” made me nervous. Passing the paper to Thor, I said, “This is a fantastic opportunity. We’re very excited. When would you need our answer?”
“I would advise you to take a week or two to look over the contract,” Leo said. “After you sign, it’s full steam ahead. We want your first album finished by the New Year.”
Adam raised his casted arm. “Uh, I won’t be able to play for a while.”
“Adam was injured last night. We haven’t had time to find someone to fill in yet.” Thor clapped Adam on the back.
“I see.” Leo’s demeanor went from chummy to callous in an instant. “That does pose a problem.”
I shifted in my seat. I had been afraid this might happen. Leo wasn’t cool with Adam’s being out of the picture for a while. “I understand that Amphion wants to get us out quickly, but we’re at our best with Adam.” I brushed my hair back and took a deep breath. “I feel it would be in the best interest of Mine Shaft to wait until he’s ready to play before we move forward.”
Leo acknowledged me with a dip of his head. “I’m not going to mince words, gentlemen. You have a
great band. Once I sign you, I have to deliver a product and there isn’t time for any of you to be convalescing. You sign, we get to work.” Leo stood up from the table. “But, Mr. Daniels, I’d be willing to rework the contract for you.” He stared me down, no humor in his eyes.
“Awesome. I knew something could be worked out.” I smiled. Maybe Leo wasn’t so much of an ass to work with. The guys looked happy with Leo’s response, too.
“I think you may have misunderstood me, Mr. Daniels.”
As I brought my attention back to Leo, my forehead creased in confusion.
“Have you thought about a solo career?” he asked.
What? I stared back. Did I hear him correctly? He couldn’t be insinuating that I should leave my band. I shook my head. “Umm…no, sir.” I challenged his stare.
“That’s too bad. Amphion is looking for someone with your caliber of talent.”
The air in the room became very thin, making it hard to breathe. I couldn’t focus on any one conversation because there were too many happening at once. Hushed whispers passed between Thor, Pauly, and Adam while Leo waited for me to pull the biggest douchebag move ever and leave my bandmates in the dust.
Someone knocked into my shoulder and I turned. Thor eyeballed me, demanding that I tell Leo to get fucked. Drawing on some of the rage pouring from Thor’s eyes, I found my voice. “I’m sorry, Mr. Dane, but I’m not a solo artist. I’ve worked with these guys for five years. I would never abandon them.”
“Of course.” Like a switch, he flipped on the practiced camaraderie he’d shown moments earlier. He reminded me of a car salesman. “It was worth a shot.” He smiled, fake as hell. “I had to ask. But that does leave us with a problem. I can’t wait for Mr. Long’s injury to heal. The studio is expecting a quick turnaround on their investment. Like I said earlier, I’ll give you two weeks max to look over the contract I’ve presented to you today. I will need a hard-and-fast decision by September twenty-sixth. However, you will have to produce a competent drummer within the next forty-eight hours, or I’ll have to withdraw the contract before the two weeks is up. Sorry, guys, I can’t sign a band without a drummer.”