Too Many Rock Stars (Access All Areas #1)

by Candy J. Starr

  Alex sat back on the sofa, his heavily booted foot resting on his other knee. He'd not been as vocal against my suggestions as Razer had been but he was no easier to deal with either.

  I'd really have preferred not to have had this meeting in my space but they'd both insisted, as though coming to my office would give them access to the inner part of me. Which it would not.

  I suggested another date to Razer.

  The next date didn't work for him either.

  Then, "that's not giving me enough time to get my band together," from Alex. "I've got a bassist and I wanted a few other guys but with just three of us, I think we can do it. It is disadvantaging me though. My music works best with a more rounded out group."

  "Whatever, mate. We're a three piece so that makes it fair." Razer picked up my stapler and spun it in his hand. I fought the impulse to snatch it off him.

  "Well, we can't blow it out too far. People have short attention spans. No one cares about something happening next year. So, you guys go over this calendar until you find something you're both happy with, while I go get a drink."

  I handed them the printout I'd made of the roster for the next few months with all the suitable dates highlighted, and pushed past Razer to get out the door. I needed a drink and, mostly, I needed no bloody rockers around me.

  "They're driving me nuts," I complained to Carlie. "This is just the beginning too. It's going to be a nightmare. Why the hell did I agree to this?"

  Carlie shrugged. She had no idea why I'd really agreed to the arrangement, of course. I hadn't told her what Chuck had said. I didn't want her worrying over her job – and it seemed kinda wrong that I'd had that decision in my hands. It might make her feel a bit weird with me.

  "Come on, Vi, you love it. There's not really a downside to this."

  "Well, there sure as hell isn't an upside." I grimaced. I did not want to deal with those two pumped egos.

  I finished my drink and went back to my office, praying they'd agreed on dates so we could at least get that out of the way.

  "Done?" I asked, glancing around my office to make sure they'd not moved anything or touched anything or put their dirty fingerprints on my shit.

  They both nodded. It was so much easier leaving them to nut things out on their own.

  As part of the agreement, I organised for both bands to play a few gigs prior to the deciding night, that way they could build up some momentum and get their fans behind them. That worked for them and it worked for the club. We could maximise the money-making potential.

  "But, you were joking about the dating me thing, right?" I asked, hoping that I could still get out of it...

  Alex gave Razer a half-smile. "I wasn't, were you? Because if you were joking, we can call this off now and I'll just claim her."

  "Whoa, dude. Whoa. Back right up. There will be no 'claim'. I'm not some coat in the cloak check and you don't have the ticket." I glared at him, daring him to continue with that line of thought but he didn't flinch.

  "Of course," he agreed. Well, he agreed with his words but the look in his eyes said different.

  With the schedule finalised, I kicked the guys out of my office.

  "Go! Go out into the wild and promote the hell out of this thing. I want to be turning people away at the door because the show has been sold out. I want people queueing up overnight to buy tickets. I want this to be the hugest thing to ever hit this town.”

  “If both shows are sold out, how do we determine the winner?” Razer scratched his head and grinned at me.

  I grimaced. I hadn’t thought of that. Of course, two sold out shows would be ideal for Trouble. There was no way out of this.

  “If both shows are sold out, I guess we’ll look at the bar takings.”

  “Cool,” said Razer. “My fans are total booze hounds.”

  “But remember, Chuck is not going to care if the gigs are overcapacity. If he can squeeze a couple of hundred more people in, he’ll do it.”

  Of course, Chuck was wetting himself over the whole idea.

  "Brilliant, Violet, just brilliant. I knew we didn't keep you around just for your looks."

  I balled my hands into fists and fought back the urge to hit him.

  "Just remember that I've agreed to date one of these dickheads if they win. I think I need a raise just for that."

  "Yeah, I agree, but I don't think the budget will stretch to that at the moment. What, with this whole tax issue. How much do you think we'll make? I need to run numbers. What's the capacity of the band room?"

  That just showed what an idiot Chuck was. I mean, who owns a club and doesn't know the capacity of his own band room. If I owned this place, I'd know every square inch of it.

  "A thousand," I said. "Maybe a few more if we squeeze them but that's against all regulations."

  "Do you think we'll get that many?"

  I could see the numbers ticking over in his mind. How much he'd make out of door sales after he'd paid the bands. How many drinks he'd sell. All those numbers. Probably just ended up in a big brain slop knowing Chucklehead's capacity for maths.

  "Maybe. Razer can fill the room on a good night, and I'm assuming with all the promo he should be doing, it'll be a good night. Not so sure about Alex. He's new in town. He got a decent crowd the other night and maybe he'll be able to fill the place when he has his full band."

  Chuck nodded.

  As I suspected, Chuck’s thoughts turned to exceeding the room capacity to get more people in.

  "We could knock out the wall behind the bar and just block off the back stairs. That way we could fit another hundred or more in easily."

  "And where would we store stuff? You wanna give people free access to all the booze?"

  That got him thinking for a moment. In honesty, the store room could probably be half the size and still have enough room but I didn't want Chuck starting on some crazy project that would screw things up.

  "Also, you'd have to pay for workmen. That would be expensive if you want it done to building code standards. You start a project like that when there’s attention on the club and those building inspectors will come snooping around."

  Chuck shrugged. I knew that meant he'd put that idea aside. The last thing he wanted around here was inspectors – building inspectors, health inspectors, anyone like that would have a field day once they got started.

  "If we make $50,000 out of these two nights, that'd put a huge dent in the financial hole."

  I didn't bother explaining you didn't really want to put a dent in a hole.

  "Since these guys are doing this to get to you, any chance they'd play for free?"

  I couldn't believe Chuck asked that. Jerk. I was tempted to throw my boot at his head.

  I’d agreed to the competition and I’d go through with it but as soon as Trouble was out of danger, I’d get some premium revenge on Chuck. I had no idea what that would be, but I’d make sure he suffered.

  Chapter 19 ALEX

  I had this in the bag. That meathead wouldn't know what hit him. Sure, he might be popular with the small crowd that hung out at the club but I had connections and a broad fan base.

  And, the secret weapon in my arsenal, a bank balance that would support the kind of campaign I intended launching.

  You don't flash that kind of money around rockers. Not only does it ruin any cred you have but it means you get freeloaders hanging around wanting loans and free drinks.

  I didn't have time in my life for freeloaders. I didn't have time for failure either. If I had to flash the cash to get the deed done, I'd be working my cards overtime.

  Then, the prize would be mine. The prize that was Violet. One night with me would seal the deal. When she saw the kind of luxury that money could provide, she'd be hooked for sure.

  In the meantime, I'd play it cool. None of those losers at the club could tell the difference between a designer t-shirt and one off the rack at a discount store. That difference was in the way it made you look, the way the fabric hugged yo
ur finely-toned abs. The same with music. Talent only got you so far then you needed the best gear and the best people around you.

  I wasn't sure about this guy, Dazza, who Razer had volunteered. If I'd left my last band on good terms, I'd have flown my old drummer out but I think he'd rather knife me than play with me again. Creative differences.

  The new bassist had a load of potential and I'd booked out a rehearsal studio. Booked it solid 24/7. We needed to be tighter than a virgin's arsehole.

  We’d been rehearsing a bit before but now it had to be ramped up. I got to the first session and handed out the new rehearsal schedule.

  "Ah... are you sure about this?" Dazza said. "We have to sleep some time and I've got rehearsal with Razer too. And I have to eat."

  "We'll get catering."

  "Do I have to pay for that?"

  I rolled my eyes. "No."

  "Cool. That's so much better than a meat pie."

  I had no idea what he was talking about, but then no one looks for brains in a drummer.

  "Just let me know when you won't be available and we'll work around it."

  Dazza nodded.

  "Do you think we'll be ready for our first gig?" the bass player asked.

  I'd thought about that. "I'll do some of my solo stuff so you'll only need learn half the set. Better that we do that well than a half-arsed full set. But we need to be ready, you know. We need to know the stuff we're playing inside and out. If that means putting in more hours, we put in more hours."

  After rehearsal, I dropped by the club. This whole competition was my in with Violet and I meant to make the most of it. I'd co-ordinate promos with her and work out press stuff. We'd be alone in her office and the chemistry between us would work its magic. I'd figured out the key to Violet. She was crazy dedicated to her job, with a burning need to prove herself. That made things about a hundred times easier for me, since I was the same. We had the same goals and the same fire in our bellies. Just by doing the things I needed to do for myself, I'd win her over.

  I headed to the back of the club to her office.

  "Oi, you're not allowed back there."

  The busboy, I couldn't remember his name but the one with the stringy hair, blocked my way. I could take him easily but I weighed up risks. I didn't want to get on anyone's bad side, not this early in the game.

  "Even if you get passed me, you won't get in," he said. "She's put a big lock on her door. Says she's sick of every bored rocker dropping in on her."

  "She'll want to see me," I said.

  "I'll check. I'll send her a text. You can wait at the bar."

  I sneered at him, just to check that I still had it. He flinched, which gave me some satisfaction, then headed to the bar.

  "Tell her I'm here to discuss the marketing plan for my shows."

  He got out his phone.

  "I can't serve you. We aren't open yet."

  "Why was the door unlocked?"

  He looked from me to the door then back to me. How did he think I'd gotten in? Then he ran over and locked the door. Good, I didn't want anyone else dropping in. I leaned on the bar and waited for him to make the call.

  Violet would leave me cooling my heels at the bar for a while. I knew it. Typical girl trick. But I'd planned for that.

  "I'm heading upstairs," I called out to the busboy. "Tell her I'll be up there."

  Even though I'd played the stage, I wanted to know exactly what I was working with. I paced around, getting an idea of the dimensions and making notes. There wasn't much I could do about the décor but I'd do what I could. I didn't want people leaving thinking they'd seen a good band, I wanted them thinking they'd seen a great show. The kind of thing they'd tell all their friends about, rave about even.

  I wondered how pyrotechnics would go.

  After making some more notes, I noticed Violet had slipped into the room. She was sitting on a stool at the bar, watching me.

  I waved and walked over to her.

  "So, marketing plan, that sounds pretty fancy..."

  "You don't leave things to chance with something like this." I let my gaze linger on her, meeting her eyes and not pulling away.

  "What sort of thing are you talking about?"

  "Ads in the street press, some interviews. I want to get a new single out and stuff lined up with radio stations, create some buzz online. That kind of thing. And, of course, the normal posters and promos. Do you know a good designer? We need to get onto that straight away."

  She thought for a moment, then grabbed my pen and wrote down some details. A couple of names.

  "I have no idea of phone numbers or anything. This guy comes into the club a bit and a lot of bands work with him. The other guy has done some work for the club. I'll get his details off Chuck."

  I grinned and thanked her.

  I got out my laptop and opened a spreadsheet. I had timelines planned out for each activity, building up to the competition night.

  She grinned when she saw that.

  "You are really taking this seriously," she said, looking up at me. Her eyes made me start for a moment. She could ruin a man with those eyes. "Shit, no one, and I mean no one, who plays here goes to this kind of effort. God, not even Chuck would think of planning out things like this. I might be a total dork but I love a well planned out plan."

  This crazy woman cared nothing for chocolates and flowers but went all gooey-eyed over a spreadsheet. I had to respect her for that.

  "It is serious. I'm playing for the highest odds." My sweeping glance was intended to leave her with no room for doubt about what I meant. “If that means tweeting a hundred times a day and an aggressive social media plan, I’ll do it.”

  "If you are happy to put in all that work, we'll do what we can to support you. It's to the club's advantage too. God, Alex, if the music thing never works out for you, you should consider opening your own club. You have this shit in the bag."

  I grinned. There was so much I could say but I kept my mouth shut.

  She grinned back.

  "So, how much modification can I do to the stage?" I asked.

  She scrunched up her face in thought. "That's really up to Chuck. So long as you get things back to their original condition, he shouldn't mind. Probably won't even notice. Why? What do you have planned?"

  That got her curious.

  "I'm not sure of the final plans yet but I want this to be memorable. Of course, the lead up gigs will be great too but you can't give the whole game away, just enough to get people talking."

  She nodded.

  "Come downstairs for a drink before you go," she said. "It’s the least we can do after all this."

  I followed her downstairs. That guard was slowly coming down. It'd not take long now and she'd be in my arms.

  Chapter 20 VIOLET

  The upstairs bar still looked shit but, with the right lighting it might work. I'd organised a photo shoot with Valerie. She was an art student who came into the bar sometimes and was happy to do it in return for a few drinks and her name on the guest list for the bands. We'd use the shots for club promo and the guys could use them for their own promos too. Plus, she could put them in her portfolio. All around win.

  Val turned up early to arrange the lighting and set up for the shoot.

  "Sorry, the place never looks great in the day," I said.

  Luckily we didn't get any sunlight in the place or the flaws would be even more noticeable. The cracked walls, the threadbare carpet, the shitty paintwork on the bar.

  "No problems, I was thinking of going for a seedy bar look anyway." She laughed. "You know, dirty and gritty."

  She’d definitely get that.

  I'd told Drew to let the guys in when they arrived. I checked my watch, still a bit of time. I left her to it while she set up the room for the shoot.

  Not long after that, Alex turned up.

  "Thanks for setting this up," he said. "Sounds like a fun afternoon."

  "No problems," I told him. "Thanks for turning up at su
ch short notice."

  He grinned at me. "I'm sure the guys are glad for an afternoon off rehearsal. I've been working them into the ground. Still, a bit of hard work never killed anyone."

  I could imagine just how hard Alex worked his band. He seemed like the kind of guy who never let up for a moment. A total perfectionist. And, while that might be as annoying as hell for his bandmates, I loved working with someone who didn't slack off and leave all the details to me. When it came to performing, I could trust Alex completely. There'd be no going on stage 10 minutes late, no forgetting to tell people he was playing, then bitching because no one turned up. No drunken vomiting in the backstage room. Those were all things that made me giddy with delight.

  "I've got some changes of clothes," he said, indicating the bag at his side. "I wasn't sure what kind of look we are going for today."

  "Seedy and gritty, apparently."

  He raised his eyebrow. "Sounds fun."

  "You can head up if you like. We're just waiting on Razer."

  I headed back to my office and got to work, only pausing half an hour later to realise I hadn't heard Razer arrive. No worries about that, he probably got Drew to let him in and was upstairs getting into the shoot. Still, I figured I should go to check on him.

  When I got upstairs, I barely recognised the place. Val had put up those light reflecting things you use when you take photos all over the place. She'd rearranged things on the stage too. Alex posed, a red light flooding his body and highlighting the sleek curves of his muscles. He was dressed in a tight t-shirt and his signature leather pants. It looked like he had a bit of makeup on too. Not caked on but a bit of eyeliner that made his eyes look really sexy.

  I wasn't there to check out Alex, even if the heat did flood through my body. He was an incredibly good-looking man.

  Once the clicks of Val's camera stopped, I asked about Razer.

  "He hasn't turned up," she said. "I wondered if something had happened. I thought you'd come up because you'd heard something."

  "No, I assumed Drew had let him in." My stomach sank. Where the hell was he?