Cale nodded. “Looks like we’ve got a record deal, guys! RockOut records baby!” Cale exclaimed. “That was one of the owners of the label Walker. He wants to meet us first thing out in California at the L.A. show.”
I felt chills run through my bones. Was this for real? Everlasting was going to be signed to a big-time label! This was the moment when I wanted to call my parents and tell them that I was making a name for myself…but then again they had no idea where I was. The guys pulled me into a big group hug and I couldn’t stop crying.
“This calls for a round of fucking drinks.” Vince shouted. “I don’t care if you’re only 18, Bryn. You’re getting trashed tonight; this is a reason to celebrate!” He kissed me on the cheek and went straight up to the bar. Raptor and Luke followed Vince, slapping hands with everyone in sight.
Cale drew his voice to a low whisper. “Can you believe this? We’ve worked so hard for this, Bryn. Damn, I can’t believe it.” He drew me into another deep bear hug, pulling me close. I embraced him, feeling his body heat as my arms circled around him.
“I know,” I whispered against his chest. “I should be thanking you guys you know. For everything up to now. You guys have been so amazing and you’ll always be my best friends.”
I could feel Cale’s heart beat faster as he chuckled. “Aww don’t get all sappy, B. We should thank you. If it wasn’t for you and that guitar stunt, I don’t think we would’ve gotten that call.” His hand was rubbing circles on my back, putting me at ease. “Let’s just make it in one piece through the next couple of shows until L.A. and after that that’s when the hard work will be starting.”
“I thought we already are working hard.”
Cale moved his hand from my back to my neck. “It’s only begun. You see with Ignite the Flames all of the interviews and photo shoots that they do. We’re going to be on a big label. They’ll expect us to put out an album in a certain amount of time, music videos, promoting the album. It’s a lot of extra stuff, but in the long run more exposure.”
He could call it work, but to me it was going to be something crazy and fun.
Wait until the girls hear this one, I thought.
“I can’t wait,” I sighed, drifting away from Cale and back over to my seat where we spent the rest of the night drinking and celebrating with everyone. Only a few short days and we’d be in Cali.
Chapter 11: Congratulations
After almost 2000 miles and 4 more back to back shows we were finally in the Sunshine State. Cale had backed off and didn’t say any more about what happened between us on the bus. He shut himself off from the world, writing songs whenever he had a chance, whether it was in the dressing room or after the shows. We went out after the Omaha show, and of course I spent most of my night with Damon until I had to go back to the bus, where I knew there’d be girls. I saw one girl leave with her short red dress hiked up to her hips and bed hair and I wanted to slap the shit out of her. When I was getting ready to sleep Cale swore she was with Raptor, but the guilty look on his face proved otherwise. It wasn’t my business anyway.
I started writing some of my own songs also. Not full on songs so to speak, but just feelings. I picked up a diary at a dollar store in Omaha and figured it might help me get my emotions out. I wrote one right after the last time I saw Ethan, but I threw the piece of paper in the trash before the guys could use it against me.
By the time we reached a rest stop on the edge of California and Nevada, I had nearly 5 pages of the book filled.
“So what’s that?” Cale sat beside me on the curb as we were taking a breath of fresh air. I was writing some lyrics down when he peeked over my shoulder. “Never knew you had a diary, B.”
Hitting him with the diary, I smirked. “You think I’m writing about you Mr. Arrogant don’t you?”
“I know you are.”
“As a matter of fact, .no.” I missed that smug attitude of his, even though at times it pissed me off. “I had an idea for a song. I've been piecing up words here and there.” I handed him the journal, a bit anxious about what he thought of my lyrics.
If I told you straight from the heart
How much I loved you
Needed you, wanted you
Would you break me?
“Wow…” Cale turned the page and handed it back to me. “Your stuff is really good.”
“Really? You only read that little block,” I told him.
“Doesn’t matter. That could be an amazing fuckin chorus to a song, you should finish it up and we could make that a single.”
My lyrics becoming an actual song? I don’t think the reality of that would hit me until we recorded it. Hell I didn’t even have names for anything I was writing. Just bits and pieces. I let Cale borrow my book as he showed it to the guys and of course they unanimously agreed I should write one of the singles for the new album.
Pressure much?
As we reached Los Angeles, the city of angels, I felt star struck. I never knew when I was going to run into somebody famous, and my nerves were getting the best of me. I texted Gina and Bethany as soon as we got into town, letting them know I couldn’t wait to see them.
Me: Girls I’m finally here!
Bethany: In Cali?
Me: Hell yes, I can’t wait to see you!
Gina: Holy shit it’s been too long girl! We’ve got dirt to share.
I smiled, texting them details about the Los Angeles show, which was that night. A secretary from the record company called us, scheduling lunch at Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood, where we’d go over specific details in our contract. Cale warned me it wouldn’t be so bad since they went through this with the Indie label we were signed to previously.
When we all arrived at the restaurant, a younger looking man in his 20’s and an older man who looked to be in his late 30’s were sitting at a round table with wine glasses in their hands. The older one, who I vaguely remembered from the show I smashed my guitar at, shook our hands. When it was my turn, Cale introduced me.
“Mr. Cooper, this is Bryn Schaefler, our new guitarist,” Cale said with a confident tone to his voice. I firmly shook Mr. Cooper’s hand.
“Nice to finally meet the girl who made quite a statement at one of her first shows,” Mr. Cooper chuckled, flashing a smile. “But you can call me Walker.” He gestured towards the person still sitting. I couldn’t see his face because it was buried in a menu, but his body mannerism seemed like he was nervous to be here, or hiding. It was oddly familiar. “And this is one of my new trainees at the record label, Brayden, which I’m sure you know him Bryn since he’s your brother”
Brayden?
No wonder he was hiding from us. He knew I was here. My brother was working for our new record label? No fuckin’ way.
He looked up from the menu and gave a slight wave. Same eyes as me, same hair color as I remembered him with. Yup it was Brayden Michael Schaefler alright. I locked eyes with him and he let out a small smile. Walker had us sit down as he ordered us all waters. I sat down of course next to Brayden, shaking his hand pretending that I didn’t know him. Cale gave me a glance as if he knew who it was and I mouthed “Yes”.
“So tell us a little more about you, Bryn, being the newest member of Everlasting and all,” Walker asked, with everyone’s eyes on me.
I sat up straight, placing my hands on my lap. “Well I just graduated High School in June back in Michigan. I had gotten an apartment and the woman I rented from told me about their audition,” I gestured towards the guys. “And I guess the rest is history.”
Brayden looked away, obviously uncomfortable. “It’s great to see more women in rock, can’t complain there. I’ve had various people that works for us go out and watch you guys. Brilliant work. The covers you do are fantastic. But one thing I want to bring up is once the contract is signed, we want you to start working on an album. Once the news officially breaks that you’re signed with us, there will be a lot of hype surrounding you. You have to have a new album to back it up.”
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I had never even set foot in a studio before, using studio equipment beyond what we used on tour. “We’ve already been writing and getting ideas together. We’re really honored you guys want us to represent your label.” Cale put a hand on his heart, sounding sincere.
Walker clapped his hands together and we all took sips of our wine, and my water the waiter just brought over. The rest of the lunch passed by quickly, with Walker doing all of the talking and Brayden pretending to pay attention to what his boss was saying. I really wanted to pull the idiot aside and ask him how the hell he had started working for the label I was about to be signed to? More importantly, how could he not call his only sister even once since he left! I was furious, but I held my smile as we talked music, and about some of the other groups on the label. Some of them I remembered Ethan introducing me to when he’d put new music on my iPod from time to time. I felt star struck knowing I would be meeting some of these bands someday.
“I’m going to use the restroom,” I said, excusing myself as the guys were discussing video games of all things. I don’t think they noticed me get up from my seat, but once I left the bathroom, I bumped into none other than my brother.
I stared at him. His looks hadn’t changed, minus a five o’ clock shadow that added a few years to him. He looked thinner than before, which was unusual for him since Brayden was one of those gym rats who would go every day and work out.
“Good to see you, sis,” he said, his arm reaching out. It was as if he was expecting me to embrace him. “You seem really happy.”
“Did you get my voicemail back in June?” I demanded.
“The one where you said you left?” he asked, referring to leaving our mom and dad. “Yeah. I was in a bad place, Bryn, I’m sorry. I should’ve called you. You might not have known, but I’ve always wanted to be involved in the music business, but the business side ya know?”
I was dumbfounded. Brayden and I had the same tastes in music, I had known that, but never did I expect him to be in a business suit and tie like he was today.
Tears were forming, and I tried to stop them so I wouldn’t go back out to the table with a red face. I was too emotional to care. This was my older brother, so I wrapped my arms around him and gave him the biggest hug I’ve ever given him. He rubbed my back and kissed my cheek.
“Don’t cry, Bryn Michelle. Think of it like this: we’ll be seeing a lot more of each other, right? Headquarters is in Cleveland. Not far from home right?” Brayden laughed and let go of me.
“Yeah guess you’re right.” I smiled faintly as he squeezed my hand. “But let’s get back out there before ‘our’ boss starts to wonder what we’re up to.”
“He knows we’re siblings as you already heard him mention it” Brayden explained as we walked out to the table. “He told me about signing this band ‘Everlasting’ and that they had a new guitarist who was a girl and she was amazingly talented. I dig some digging and was in shock when I saw you up on stage like a pro.”
“What can I say? These guys helped me more than I can admit.”
Walker picked up the tab and handed us the official paper contract. He told us to look it over carefully, read it and all of us sign on the very last page. Luke handed me the pen last and Brayden nodded, encouraging me. My hand had a slight tremor but I signed my name in that cursive writing my mother taught me when I was young, and that was it. Everlasting was now signed to RockOut Records!!!
My reunion with Brayden was short lived. He had to fly back to Cleveland with Walker and take care of some promotional issues for the label, but he promised he’d try to keep in touch.
After lunch, I texted Gina and Bethany again, telling them they could pick up their backstage passes from Hal who would meet them at the front of the theatre with a sign in tow.
Gina: You better hook us up with some rock stars here, B!
Bethany: Gina’s boy crazy, don’t mind her. But you do have some nice looking ‘tour mates.’
I was afraid these girls were going to wet their panties when they saw the guys. Especially Cale. I’d learned how people flock to the lead singer more so than the other members of the band.
It was after five o’ clock when we started getting everything off the bus and into the theatre. Since we were playing in one of the biggest cities in the United States, I had to look the part of the ultimate rock girl. I stopped at Shrine of Hollywood and bought a dress that had cap sleeves and stopped right below my thighs. I fingered the flower embroidering as I slipped on some black tights and comfortable flats. Adding some gold bracelets to my wrist, I added a heavy coat of eyeliner and lipstick.
None of the guys were in the dressing room, so I enjoyed the quiet time until I heard a loud knock at the door.
“Hey bitch, let us in!” I heard a girly voice shout from the other side. I ran over to the door and quickly opened it.
“Ahhh, you’re here!!!” I shrieked, jumping into Gina and Bethany’s arms. They joined me as we squeezed each other for what felt like the longest time. “You both look so good!”
They stood back and I couldn’t believe how different they looked in just a few short months. Bethany had strawberry blond hair that was in a French twist, and it looked like she had lost a lot of weight. Her skin tight green romper made her legs look even skinnier than they were and her heels added a good 4 inches to her height. Gina was shorter than Bethany, wearing red wedges to go with her black jeggings and red halter top. Her perfectly curled dark brown hair had a few shades of caramel mixed in and she looked tanner than when we were back in Michigan, which was likely due to the California sun.
“You look the best, Bryn. I never would’ve pictured Bryn Michelle Schaefler in a dress this hot!” Gina said. They walked around the dressing room as I handed the two of them a beer. “Is this all they drink?”
I shook my head. “Nah, the good stuff is all on the bus, but you can have these for now.” They took sips of their cans as we all sat down together and talked about how we’d been the past few months.
“So how’s the modeling going?”
“Pretty well, actually,” Bethany admitted. “Gina’s got a contract with some high-end bathing suit store in town and I’ve been going around to places looking for gigs. I just met with the owner of this small boutique not far from here and they want me to come in and see if I would be a good fit to represent their company.
“Well they’d be crazy if they didn’t pick you, Beth. You’re much prettier than I’ll ever be.” I sighed, kicking my legs up. Just a few minutes later, Cale, Vince, Raptor and Luke burst in, clearly amused by three girls sitting in their dressing room.
“Heyy there ladies. You must be Bryn’s friends?” Cale asked, turning on his flirtatious charm that could woo any girl that didn’t know him. Gina and Bethany stood up nervously, like they were being judged for a modeling job. Their eyes locked not to Cale, but to the other guys that were ogling them from behind Cale. I rolled my eyes and laughed. I’d seen this too many times and usually they had their way with the groupie girls. I didn’t want my friends to be their next victims, even though I knew they were good guys deep down.
“Ye…Yes we are,” Gina stammered. “I’m Gina and this is Bethany…” Her face turned red as if she was going to cry. He bent down to grab each one of their hands and kiss it. Prince Charming. Yeah right.
“Nice to meet you. And welcome to our un-lively dressing room,” he joked. “This is the rest of the guys. Vince, Raptor and Luke. Guys, this is Gina and Bethany, Bryn’s best friends from back home. They live in LA isn’t that right?” I was surprised Cale remembered when I told him that they lived here and were aspiring models.
“Mhmm. We share an apartment a few miles from here.” Bethany replied, waving at the guys. Vince smirked at her and waved shyly back, which was a first. Vince was never one to be shy, so he must really like her. “So what time do you guys go on tonight?”
“Not for a little while.” I told her. “First band should be going on about right now,
and there’s one more, then us. By the way, you should come with me to meet Damon.” I urged them along, and they gave me a look that said ‘The Damon Charming?’
“Aww that’s no fun. They can stay here with us,” Luke replied, turning on some music. “What do you like to drink?”
Gina ran straight over to him, mouthing ‘Sorry.’ Now she was practically hanging on his arm. “Beth and I are only eighteen just like Bryn, so you realize you could get in big trouble for giving us alcohol?” The way she said it, she was trying to tease Luke and flirt with him. Luke bought the bait, because he leaned in towards her face, kissing her cheek.
“I’ll take my chances,” I heard him whisper, pouring a few glasses of vodka that they just brought in. “Plus you can’t say no since Bryn already offered you something.”
“You go ahead, B. We’ll be safe,” Bethany said as she giggled, grabbing one of the glasses from Luke.
Cale stepped in front of the door to stop me. “You’re going to leave your friends with them?” He questioned me, arms crossed like he was a bodyguard.
“Why not? I was just going to go see Damon and bring him back here for a second. Is that a problem?” I snapped, trying to push him out of the way.
“Bryn, I’ve told you before he’s just trouble. Decent guy, but not somebody you want to be with.” The way he said ‘be with’ made me think he thought I was trying to have sex with Damon.
“What is the bug up your ass about Damon, Cale? Honestly, I’m a big girl and I can take care of myself.” I left the dressing room before he could answer, searching for Damon. I could hear the loud booming music from the stage and Ignite the Flames was just a few doors down. Screams and pounding on the walls pierced my brain as I had a bad feeling something was happening. I shoved that to the back of my mind as I knocked on the door. Pauly opened the door and looked completely surprised to see me.
“Heyyy, Bryn, how’s it goin’?” he slurred, not letting me in just yet. I knew it. He had to have been hiding something.
“Where’s Damon?”
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