“Put up with you? It’s a damn privilege to work with Avery Sloane!” He whoops, and I easily picture him jumping with excitement.
Somewhere in the background I hear, “God, that’s Avery? Tell her you’ll call her back. You’re just as bad as you used to be.”
“Garrett?” I ask.
“Yeah, you know how he gets, I should go. But when I get back to the hotel tonight, let’s celebrate. What room are you in?I’ll come up when I’m done.” It’s impossible to ignore the hope laced in his request.
“I have something I need to do.” That, and I’m not sure I can handle being in such a private space with him. The hotel bar and studio were fine, but if it’s just the two of us somewhere secluded, I’m scared I’ll forget myself. “But what if I stop by the venue early tomorrow and meet you in your dressing room?”
“Sounds like a plan.” The smile in his voice causes my lips to twitch. “I’m coming!” I expect him to hang up but then he adds, “I’m really happy you called. Goodnight, Ave.”
I locate Kendal’s room near the end of the hall. She answers wearing pajamas and a clay face mask that’s hardened against her skin. Some of the clay flakes off as her lips curve.
“So, who’s this mystery producer?” I ask as I enter. Somehow the warmth in my chest burns brighter.
I’m getting my life back in order and helping Kendal feels like I’m getting a second chance to do things right.
“Don’t act like you had nothing to do with it,” she says, cocking a brow. “I’m seriously grateful though.”
“Why would I have anything to do with it?”
“You talked to him about it and must have planted the idea that he should reach out. There’s no point denying it.”
“I’m sorry, I’m still a bit lost.”
“Wesley Hart. He said you told him everything.”
“I did.” It’s just like him to insert himself. I asked him to be in the project, not take partial control over it.
It’s not like how we used to be, fighting on the same team, sharing wins.
Track Five
Avery:Wes chose me. But I still worried that Garrett was right. Who was I to have opinions about their band? I knew music, and had introduced Wes to the artists who influenced some of their earlier songs—even if they were essentially bad rip-offs, sampling riffs and grooves unconsciously. But it wasn’t my band and I didn’t want it to be. I was writing my own stuff, unsure if I’d ever use it. Yet, I wanted to be integral. Needed. Irreplaceable.
Avery:After two years, I was the one who made the call and got them their first gig.
Garrett:It was a county fair in the middle of nowhere.
Avery:Yeah, I get fairs aren’t Madison Square Garden, but what did they expect? Still, between the gas to get there and the food, it cost more than it was worth. None of them would say it, but I could tell they were starting to lose steam. I knewI needed to find something better. I called maybe thirty bars before Dave’s.
Dave:My bar?I sold the place when I retired and moved to Lake Powell. Got myself a houseboat. The place is a Chili’s now.
Dave:I got this call one day from some lady claiming to manage this young band. She was looking for places for them to try out new songs. I know bullshit when I hear it, but I had an act cancel last minute, and they were fine with fifty dollars cash. Looked on the younger side, but they had IDs and I needed to fill a slot.
Dave:I didn’t think much of them. They were doing exactly what everyone else trying to make it in Nashville was doing. They were just lucky.
Dave:Well, maybe they weren’t lucky that first night…
Avery
Fall 2007
That first gig, I was vibrating, terrified I would misplace our fake IDs. They’d cost a fortune, and there was no way I could replace any of them. I was wearing this denim mini skirt with rhinestone studded pockets and these heeled boots I was constantly tripping over. I was so anxious about losing my phone, the IDs—or both—that I patted myself down every few minutes.
To make things worse, Luca, Garrett, and Jared were late. I had gotten my license and driven George’s Jeep up. I drove too fast down country roads. Windows down. Freshly dyed hair tangling in the wind.
Before the gig, Wes and I went out to lunch, so he was with me. George wanted to be there, but she was called to help with an emergency calf birth. Honestly, I was thankful because I didn’t know if I could come up with an explanation for how I got the bar owner to let four teenage boys play. But I did have George’s camcorder and promised to record everything.
