“Him?” I asked,thrusting a finger at Train. “He’s a biker.”
“He’s also amusician, songwriter, and producer.”
“I can cook,too,” Train said.
I stood instunned silence, trying to wrap my head around what was happening. Beforebursting into laughter. “Okay, Ni-Ni. You got me. I’ll admit it. You full-onhad me going there for a minute. Jesus, it’s good to be home. I’m so used toeveryone catering to my feelings, it’s nice to have my balls bust…” I scannedthe room, suddenly noticing I was the only one laughing. “Wait? For real? Him?”
“I told you Ihad someone who could solve your guitar and security problems,” she said,looking confused by my reaction.
“I thought youwere talking abouttwo different guys,” I said. “One for security andone for the band. You’re really serious about this, aren’t you?”
“Of course, Iam. Train is a great guitarist, and has agreed to help keep an eye on you whileyou’re on the road. It’s a two-for one deal, plus he’ll be right there on stagewith you. Closer than any security guard could be.”
“What exactly doyou think is going to happen to me out there, Ni-Ni?”
“I know I’mbeing overly protective, but please do this for me,” my sister said, softly.
Jaxon set his guitaron its stand. “How about we leave the two of you alone to sort all of thisout?”
Please,my sister mouthed.
“Fine,” Ihuffed. “But if I’m not feeling it with Evel Knievel here, we’ll be startingthe tour without a lead guitarist.”
Harmony noddedand she and Jaxon made a hasty retreat leaving me alone with the large biker.
“I take it I’mnot what you were expecting,” Train said.
“Honestly, no,”I replied. “Most guitar players look like they haven’t seen a decent meal insix weeks and the sun in six months, and you...” I let my words trail off.
“Hey, if I’m notthe right guy for the gig, that’s okay. The last thing I want to do is wasteanyone’s time,” Train said.
“I didn’t saythat. I’m just trying to picture myself standing on stage next to Zakk Wylde,that’s all.”
Train smiled.“Clearly you’re referring to Black Label Society era Zakk, and not his earlydays with Ozzy.”
“Early Zakk wasway too pretty for me to ever let him on my stage,” I said, surprised at how atease I felt around this total stranger. Maybe it was because we were in mysister’s house, or maybe I was too tired to be on guard.
“I gotta say,I’m surprised you even know who Zakk Wylde is, or Ozzy, for that matter,” Trainsaid.
“Just because Imake pop music doesn’t mean that’s all I listen to. In fact, I probably listento 80’s hard rock and metal more than anything else.”
“Well, I wasn’tplanning on wearing my cut on stage,” he said with a smile. “But if you want mein spandex and a headband, my fee goes way up.”
I chuckled.“Wardrobe is the least of my concerns. I need someone who can not only play butlearn the entire set as quickly as possible. Harmony wouldn’t have recommendedyou if you weren’t a good guitarist, so I’m not worried about that. And Andycan help cover any of the guitar parts you don’t get the chance to learn byopening night—”
“I’ve learnedall the songs in the set. Plus, a handful more, just in case,” Train said.
“What do youmean you’ve learned them all? You’ve only had the rehearsal recordings for twodays.”
“One day,actually. But I was able to listen and play through the entire set three orfour times,” he said. “Plus, I’ve got all your albums on Spotify, and Jaxon wasshowin’ me one of your older concert DVDs. I should be good to go.”
“Really. It’sokay,” I said reassuringly. “The band and I have been rehearsing this show forover two months, so I don’t expect you to have everything down on openingnight. There are a lot of cues and a ton of material to cover but if we couldat least cover most of the major guitar parts, we’ll get you up to speed asquickly as possible.”
“No, I mean it.I’ve learned the entire set,” Train said.
“All of it?” Iasked in disbelief. “After only a handful of playthroughs?”
“I pick up songsquickly,” Train said.
