Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 88586 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 443(@200wpm)___ 354(@250wpm)___ 295(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88586 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 443(@200wpm)___ 354(@250wpm)___ 295(@300wpm)
Here’s the thing—musicians didn’t do conference rooms. I’d personally only been in that room once, and the situation was similar. Zero on one side of the table and Jealousy on the other. Like a rival band face-off with our wacky manager as mediator. The vibe had been tense. No one had known what to expect, which had probably been strange for the guys who had no clue why there was any angst to begin with.
I slowed as I neared the glass enclosure, noting that the guys from Jealousy and Zero sat on opposite sides of the table again. I expected a tense standoff of some sort, like a wild west stare-down where one wrong move might result in guns fired and general mayhem. But they weren’t scowling, sneering, or even ignoring each other this time. They were chatting amicably. Geez, if I hadn’t known any better, I might think they were friends.
Bobby J must have been in the middle of a hilarious tale. Ky, Johnny, and Gill were rolling with laughter while Justin and Charlie quietly discussed something at the head of the table. The mood seemed lighthearted and carefree, but I wasn’t a moron. Polite conversation didn’t necessarily mean we’d turned a corner. In fact, I’d bet anything I’d put a damper on all the fun the second I walked into the room. Just wait for it.
“…he hit the crap outta the ball, and I could tell he thought it was going over the back wall. That baby was a line drive straight to third base.”
“Easy play,” Ky commented.
Bobby J jumped from his chair and jogged the length of the conference room, smacking his fist to his palm. Then he ducked low to field an imaginary ball.
“Oh, yeah. I caught it like a champ, but before I had a chance to be a hero, the batter on second plowed into me and sent me sprawling. It was a freaking garage sale, man. I lost my mitt, my baseball cap, my left shoe, and my self-respect in an instant.” He threw himself on the carpet, then waited a beat and sprang to his feet like a demented kangaroo, waving his right hand in the air. “But I still had the fuckin’ ball!”
The room erupted again. And miraculously, it didn’t go quiet when I closed the door behind me.
“There you are,” Charlie exclaimed, tapping his watch. “Let’s get to business. Time is ticking, and I have no idea what they’re talking about.”
“Baseball, baby,” Ky replied affectionately. “There’s a ball and a big stick involved. I’ll give you a private lesson later.”
Charlie pursed his lips in reluctant amusement. “Only one ball and one stick?”
“Nope. We’ve got two sticks and four balls between us. Plenty to keep us entertained.” Ky waggled his brows lasciviously and chuckled when everyone groaned.
They were an unlikely couple, but they seemed to get each other. Ky was a professional skateboarder turned bassist. He was tall and lean with unruly dark-blond hair and a laid-back vibe that screamed California beach dude. Ky could be fun and mischievous, but he was highly focused when he needed to be. His mellow nature counterbalanced Charlie’s manic one, which was definitely a side benefit for the rest of us.
“Okay, that felt graphic,” Justin chided sarcastically. “Looks like Declan has finally graced us with his presence. Let’s get this over with.”
I gave Bobby J a fist bump, then made my way to the table, greeting Gill with a friendly nudge before taking a seat next to Charlie…and across from Justin. I met Justin’s scathing once-over with an ultra-friendly smile. My maturity level knew no bounds, I mused, clearing my throat.
“Sorry to keep you waiting. This shouldn’t take long. Cade is out of commission, we have a song to record asap, and we need help. I talked to Tegan last night. He said he’d do it.” I held up my hand when Justin leaned forward menacingly. “I apologize for not consulting you all first. Cade’s injury caught us off guard. We’re short on time and understand that you’re up to your eyeballs in deadlines too, but we’re grateful for the help.”
Justin folded his arms and sat back in his chair. “Zero didn’t say yes.”
I clenched my fist under the table and widened my grin. “No, not collectively. But Tegan said he’d meet us at nine this morning and—”
“And it’s a great idea.” Charlie smacked his palm on his notepad. “A PR perk! We have to grow the label. This is a great way to advertise Scratch Records.”
“I don’t like it, but I get it. If Tegan is willing to help, Zero will support him,” Justin sighed before rounding on Charlie. “But you have to fucking communicate.”
Charlie sprang to his feet. “Fine. Let me communicate something. Like it or not, you need each other. The drummer from Zero playing on Jealousy’s album is great for business…and not just because it’ll save us cash. It shows a united front. We’re building a brand from the dregs of something scandalous.”