“So it is a salaried position?” I asked, and they both nodded. “What is the pay?”
“Seven grand a month. They are paying for the bus, hotels, food, travel, pretty much everything we need on tour, so it will be pure bank for you. Also, we’ve got our manager fishing for endorsement deals. We’ll have all new gear for the tour. If you want new guitars or stuff.” Nicole smiled. They both played instruments, so they knew the lure of acquiring new music gear.
I tried to keep my face emotionless, but I think my eyes opened a bit at the amount of money Nicole told me. There were plenty of sales guys around the office that were making that kind of cash or more. But they had made tons of sales calls and built up their business. If I was to go that route, I’d start off with no pay and just make a commission on sales. Or I could move to more of an analyst role and make fifty grand a year. No matter what I did, I would still have to pay for food and rent for the year. The money Nicole was offering me was probably equal to more than two years’ worth of work at a basic finance job with Patrick’s dad’s firm.
“Would I be a member of the band or just helping out on the tour?” I felt my brain start to crunch some numbers and put a stop to my imagination. Yeah, the money would be good for a year, but, if I was just going to be a hired gun along for the ride, I’d still have to go back to school and find a job when I got home. I really liked my current job, and it was a great opportunity to get into the industry I wanted to be in.
I also thought about the women I had been seeing. Kelly was leaving, so it wasn’t like there would be anything there in the future; even if I wanted a lasting relationship with the tall blonde girl. The situation between Aimee and I was mixed, and troublesome, and more than one hundred and twenty pounds of fucked up. Every time I was around the beautiful brunette, I wanted to toss my friendship with Jack aside and fuck her silly. When I was away from her, I realized how terrible of a friend I was to the guy that had done as much as he could to pull me out of my dark tailspin.
There was no hope of a future with Katherine. The Jewish girl had made it clear that her parents wouldn’t approve of my nationality and my income level. The day with Kim yesterday had been tons of fun, and every time we were lovers it was beyond amazing. She seemed interested in having a longer relationship with me, but I also had to think of our racial differences. I had no problem dating, loving, and marrying a Korean girl, but I’ve always thought that Asian’s were pretty racist. I wouldn’t be surprised if Kim’s parents didn’t approve of me.
Then there was Beth.
I was probably better off being on the other side of the world from that gorgeous dark temptress.
“We’ve got a kind of contract that our lawyer drafted.” Nicole bit her lip, “The employment would be for a minimum of a year or as long as the tour after a three-month probation period. We don’t think you are a crazy psycho, but the four of us, plus a few roadies and techs, are going to be sharing the same tour bus for at least a year. If you somehow turned into Keith Moon, we wouldn’t want to be stuck with you for the entire year.” The three of us laughed.
“But we want to come up with the next album while we are on tour,” Nicole continued, “so we are thinking that you join the band officially after the three months, and we start writing together. If that is something you are interested in.”
“I think it would be.” I nodded and tried to keep my poker face.
“Soooo... does that mean you are in?” Roger leaned forward.
“Can I have some time to think about it?” I smiled at them. “It is a great offer, and every musician’s dream to be in a successful band. Especially when the music is as good as your stuff.”
“Thanks!” they both said.
“Is there anything that would keep you from deciding to join us?” I could tell that Roger was the brains behind the band. Not that Nicole and Trey were stupid, but the bass player seemed knowledgeable about business and sales.
“I’m still in the middle of school, have a job I really like, girls that I am dating.”
“Oh yeah. You are dating some really hot girls.” Roger leaned back and let out a whistle while Nicole smirked at him. “I can see why you might not want to leave all that behind.”
“It’s also just a dramatic change in direction. Last year I planned on becoming a musician, and I would have jumped at the chance to be on the road with you. But then something changed, and I kinda decided not to play music ever again. It is weird though, I started picking up my guitar a few days before you all needed me to play in the band at Brent’s house.”
“So it was meant to be!” Roger laughed and took a sip of beer.
“Why did you want to get out of music? I mean, besides the obvious reasons of not being able to make any money doing it and the endless amount of practicing involved.” Nicole winked at me.
“Ahhhh.” I sighed. “You guys have some time? Kind of a long story.”
“Sure.” they both said. Roger held up his almost empty beer bottle and motioned for the waitress to bring us three more.
“Alright. Probably good that I talk to you about this stuff. Everyone has skeletons in their closet, so it is probably best you know mine before you consider spending the next year as my busmate.” They nodded, and I told them the story of my childhood, growing up, my parent’s tragic death, my long-term depression, and my struggle to climb out of the hole to pursue a normal life. I told them about Jack’s help and his network of super rich school friends that I spent most of my time with now. They had already met a few of them at Brent’s party, but both of the musicians nodded when I put the story in place. I left out the involvement with the various girls, but I imagined that they read between the lines of my story.
“So that is kind of it. I feel like I’m finally pointed in the right direction with my life. I don’t know if I want to pivot again.” I shrugged at the end of my tale. The burritos had long since been eaten, and we were almost done with our third round of beers.
“Sucks about your parents. I can understand where you are coming from,” Nicole said.
“Yeah man. Tough gig. But there is a lot of silver lining. You’re doing alright now, and it sounds like there is opportunity all around. Especially with us.” He grinned at me. I really liked the guy.
“Let’s say that you go on tour with us, and the best things happen.” Nicole leaned forward and gestured flatly with her hand. “We’ll all be famous, cut a bunch of albums, do more tours, and be fucking world-renowned rock stars. I’m not saying that is going to happen for sure, but we’ve got the hardest step out of the way: We’ve got a record deal, and we are going to get a shit load of radio play. Really all we need to do is come out with more quality albums and just not fucking break up.”
“Yeah, I can see that happening. Your music is awesome, I enjoy playing it, and the crowds love it,” I said.
“Thanks, we like playing with you. We really think you would be a good fit for us. Let’s just assume that the worst happens though: It doesn’t work out somehow with the band long-term. You would still have made the money, and I doubt it would be that hard to pick up where you left off with school and work. Sounds like they really like you there,” Nicole stated.
“And you are a good-looking dude, Eric, I’m sure you’ll find a new harem of girls to date if the whole rock-star thing doesn’t work out for us,” Roger laughed.
“Okay. You both made good points. When do you need to know for sure?” I asked them.
“Ummm... Today would be nice,” Nicole laughed. “No, I’m kinda joking, kinda not joking. I was really nervous to ask you because I was afraid you would say ‘no’ and we’d be kinda fucked. I just don’t want to go through the audition process and get stuck with a hired gun for a year or more. We might not even be able to work on the next album with them. Dickface really put us in a bad spot.”
“I get it,” I said with a smile.
“Can you make a practice Monday night?” Roger asked, and I nodded. “Can you give us a de
cision by then? It’s only two days, but we are a little under the gun. If you don’t want to join us, then we are going to have to start auditions really fucking soon. The recording company is already freaking out, and if we don’t get a guitarist... well, I don’t want to think about it.”
“Yeah, I’ll let you guys know by Monday night. Are you practicing at the same spot?” They both nodded. “Is Trey okay with me? He doesn’t talk a lot, and he isn’t here,” I asked.
“He’s in Sacramento visiting Crystal’s family for the holiday. He really likes you; he just doesn’t talk a lot. He’s excited about you joining us and wished he could be here,” Nicole answered.
“Ahh. Cool. I like him too. I like all of you guys. Thank you for asking me to be in the band. I just want to talk to Jack and a few other people before I make a decision. This is the opportunity of a lifetime, and I am grateful that you all like me enough to ask me.”
“Awwww. That’s nice. We like you too, Eric.” Nicole said with a smile, and Roger nodded.
“So I’ll see you both Monday. What time?”
“Let’s start at six-ish. We’ll order pizza again. Oh, and feel free to bring as many of your hot girlfriends as you want.” Roger laughed, and Nicole punched him in the shoulder.
Roger grabbed the bill, waved my hand away when I reached for my wallet, and then laid some cash on the table. After he paid, the three of us stood and walked out of the quaint little tiki restaurant. It had turned into late afternoon, and I sighed when I realized I had to return and clean my kitchen. I exchanged one last hug with Nicole and a handshake with Roger before we each went our separate ways toward our cars.
Chapter 4
“So you’d be gone for a year? Maybe longer?” Jack asked.
“Yeah. If everything goes okay during my three-month probationary period,” I answered.
“Hummm...” I wished we were talking face to face so that I could see his emotion. He was still in New York with his parents for the holiday, and I’d just finished cleaning up the pancake warzone in my kitchen.
Then again, if I saw him in person I’d be feeling terrible about Aimee.
“Sounds like you are still recovering from Thursday’s dinner,” I forced a laugh.
“Ahh man, you should have come,” he sighed, “we had so much food. They had to fucking roll me out of there. Oh, and remember my cute cousin Jessica? You met her a few years ago?”
“She was the pretty girl that did all the theater stuff?” I asked, “She was at your birthday party?”
“Yeah dude, oh man, she’s gotten like, so fucking hot. She’s my cousin and all, so I am making these remarks from a purely observational point of view. But dang, dude. Anyways, she asked me a bunch about you. She’s actually transferring to my school next semester. Performance art, I think is what she said. I told her that you were going Cal State over the hill, and she made it kinda apparent that she wanted to get to know you better.”
“I might be gone by then.” I sighed at the irony of his attempt to set me up.
“Yeah... You obviously have to do it,” Jack said.
“You think so?”
“Dude. How many people get this opportunity? One in a million? One in a hundred thousand? You have to do it.”
“You think it is a good idea?” I didn’t know how Jack would have reacted. I’d hoped that he would approve of me leaving, but I also knew that he was really happy that I was out of the dark funk.
“Yeah dude. Even if it wasn’t a good idea, it will be an amazing experience. Kind of like that superhot girl that you know is crazy. You just want to date her anyway.” He laughed, but I felt my stomach clench.
“So you’d leave after Christmas?”
“I don’t have the actual date, but yeah, around there.”
“Man. We’ll have to throw a going-away party or something.”
“Haha,” I laughed, “I think I’ll be too busy trying to get my classes all wrapped up, stuff moved, and finish learning all the songs. I won’t be able to plan a party.”
“Then let me do it! Oh, and by me, I mean Aimee. She is a party planner extraordinaire.”
“Ahhh man, I appreciate the thought, but I don’t want to impose.” The thought of Aimee planning me a going-away party sounded like an extraordinarily bad idea.
“No worries! She’ll want to do it. Speaking of parties, please tell me you didn’t just sit alone in your apartment on Thanksgiving. I told mom and dad that you had plans.”
“Funny you should bring up Aimee,” I felt my stomach drop again, and my heart began to pound. Jack was going to find out eventually that I’d had dinner with Aimee’s family. He should hear it from me. “Beth actually invited me to dinner with Aimee and their parents. I spent most of the day over there.”
“Whoa...” He was silent for a moment, and my stomach lurched even more. “I guess I shouldn’t be surprised.” My heart stopped beating when he paused again. “I thought Beth had a thing for you when she kept calling me!” He laughed, and my breath left my body. “She’s like, crazy pretty and smart. I kind of thought you were dating Katherine? Or wasn’t there that other girl that played volleyball at your school?”
“Kelly,” I said, “I’m not dating Beth. She’s too young. Kelly had asked me to hang out with her family for Thanksgiving. I like her a lot, but she is leaving after this semester. Going to school in Australia.”
“Ahh dang. Man, we haven’t really talked in a while. Didn’t realize that was going on with ya.”
“I like Katherine a lot too, but it isn’t going to go anywhere.”
“Why not?” he asked.
“Ehhh. Probably better to talk about over a beer.” I didn’t want to tell Jack what Katherine said about me not being rich or Jewish. I’d known the guy my entire life, and I knew he’d get really pissed off and wouldn’t want to hang out with Katherine anymore. Even though her position about our future hurt my feelings, I’d appreciated that she’d had the guts to tell me so that I knew not to fall in love with her.
“I actually had a date with her friend Kim yesterday.” I figured talking about someone else would move the conversation away from Aimee, or Beth, or Katherine.
“Oh nice. She was super hot. How did it go?”
“Really good. We’ve hung out a couple of times, but this was the first kind of official date. We just spent Black Friday on Ventura Boulevard, walking around. Then we had dinner.”
“Then you had breakfast?” he laughed after he asked the question.
“Yeah,” I admitted.
“Ahhhhh yeahhhhh.” I could hear his laughter coming deep from his stomach.
“So how was Thanksgiving dinner at the Godwin’s?” he asked after his laughter had died. I’d actually forgotten Beth and Aimee’s last name, so it took a few moments for the ends to join in my foggy brain.
“It was great. The food was really good. John and Keiko play music really well. We spent a lot of time by the piano doing jazz standards and stuff like that.” I didn’t know exactly what to say to him. It didn’t sound like he was digging for information.
“Cool. I really like them both. How was Aimee?”
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“You know; did she talk about me or miss me or anything?” Okay, so now he was starting to dig. Was Aimee correct when she said that they weren’t really together? Was my friend suspicious of me?
“I didn’t notice anything unusual.” I kept my answer as plain as possible.
“Ahh okay,” he sighed.
“Something wrong?” I shouldn’t have asked because of the situation between Aimee and me, but I knew my friend well enough to know that something was wrong.
“She’s been kinda distant. I dunno, dude. Feels like our relationship isn’t really progressing.”
“What do you mean?”
“When we first started dating, I thought she was into me. Well, into me as much as I was into her. Then I’ve just kind of felt her losing interest the last month or so.”
“Didn’t you guys just go to her parent’s charity dinner thing?” I wondered if this was around the time Aimee met me at Jack’s place that first time. The dates seemed close.
“Yeah, but she only said a handful of words to me all night. It was totally weird. She spent more time talking to her father and mother than me. Hell, Beth actually spoke to me more, and half the questions Beth asked me were about you. The other half were about you and me growing up.” He sighed again.
“So you think she’s gonna break up with you?”
“I dunno, dude. I really like her, but we haven’t slept together yet. We aren’t going to have any classes together next semester. I think she’s bored with me. Sucks, because I’m still into her and want to continue to date her.”
“Yeah, I know.” I spoke the words to agree with him, but my heart was a flurry of fucked-up and mixed-up emotions.
I realized that Aimee was probably doing as she told me and setting the situation so that she could break up with Jack. Part of me was upset that my friend was going to have his heart broken, another part of me was happy that I’d be able to date the girl. I was beyond confused by my own feelings, but I’d been this way since I first met Aimee, and it seemed like she was making a pass at me.
But what about Kim? I had really enjoyed our time together. I wanted to get to know her better. Would I be better off dating the pretty Asian girl? Ugh. Fuck me. This was just another reason to go on tour. My life was beyond confusing right now. If I went on tour with Jump! Kick! then the only shit I’d have to worry about would be playing guitar and being nice to my band mates. It sounded like a dream.
But it also sounded like I was running away.
“So what do you think I should do?” Jack’s question ripped me away from my own thoughts and back to our conversation.
“I dunno, man. Have you talked to her since you left?”
“No,” he sighed, “just text messages. Called her this morning, but went to voice mail.”
“Maybe send her a text about her birthday party? That’s coming up isn’t it?”
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