After applying the last bit of product, my phone rang with the ringtone I’d picked for my best friend and bandmate, Cole Bradley. We had a major interview today, and knowing him, he was already waiting for me outside.
His appointment must have ended earlier than planned.
“Hey. You here?”
“Yeah, just pulled up. It didn’t take Mandy long to finish my cut. I’m in Patrick’s car. I already picked up coffee on the way so we can get to Aidan’s on time.” I heard him sip his coffee before he added, “and bring your guitar. I wanna work on that song after lunch.”
“You’re the fucking best, man. I’ll grab my shit and be out in a sec.”
I ended the call then spritzed on some cologne. Checking my appearance in the mirror one more time, I hung my guitar case over my shoulder and grabbed my jacket since September ,mornings could be chilly. Glancing around the messy apartment that had been my home for almost a year, I made sure I had what I needed before heading out the door.
While I liked Portland, Seattle would always be my home. I missed all the eclectic clubs we used to play. Especially the Crocodile with its cool vibe. However, having a number one hit on the radio changed everything for us. And after we signed our major recording contract this week, we’d all be flush with cash.
As I swung the door open, a folded piece of paper taped to the middle caught my attention. A wave of familiar unease wormed its way into my brain, but I didn’t have time to focus on anything but getting to our interview on time. Besides, if it was what I thought, these notes weren’t out of the ordinary. So I pulled it off the door and locked up, then headed to Patrick’sRange Rover.
Jogging down the single flight of steps, I stuffed my phone and keys into my pocket, eager to get to the car and the coffee that was waiting for me. I really hoped he’d grabbed breakfast.
Cole sat in the driver’s seat finishing his food when I rounded the car and put my guitar in the back. Climbing into the passenger seat, my best friend handed me my favorite bacon, egg, and cheese on an English Muffin. He knew me well.
“Have I told you I love you lately?”
Cole snickered as he pulled out onto the street. “No, but okay.”
“Well, I do, buddy. You are the best band husband a guy could have. Bringing me breakfast and coffee, picking me up in a sweet ride. If you weren’t in stupid, crazy love with Patrick, and basically my brother, you’d so be my type.”
He chuckled. “I thought you were done with relationships. Besides, I apparently like them in the closet.” Even though he said it jokingly, I knew how much it still bothered him. “What you need is a manservant to take care of you. Maybe Aidan can get you a butler for the tour.”
I smiled at his comment, even though I knew my best friend was struggling with still being in the closet. Cole and his boyfriend, Patrick, had been together since we were kids. But for whatever reason, they still hadn’t come out, even after Patrick signed on with the Portland Pirates. As far as most people knew, the two were just long-time best friends.
I swallowed a bite of my sandwich. “Think one of those sexy SEALS would want to be my man servant?”
Cole grinned. “Maybe, but obviously not Jesse. Dreamboat seems like he’d be fun.”
I chuckled. “We need to find out why they called him that, besides the obvious. Maybe he’s the one going on tour with us.” I waggled my brows at him.
“Patrick should be enough security. Eat your food. We’re almost there.”
I shook my head. “You know Aidan is not letting us out on the road without actual security along for the ride. We’re kinda popular now.”
When we were kids, we used to dream about making it big as musicians. The publicity, fans screaming our names, and all the adulation that comes with being a rock star. We would tour the world, playing our songs and making records. Just living the good life as musicians. We wouldn’t have to worry about anything but ourselves. And today was the next step in making those dreams into a reality, beginning with this interview on I Love Radio.
When we pulled up ten minutes later to the office of EHM Management and Security, there were three cars out front. Someone wasn’t here, and I kinda hoped it was Jesse. He was a nice guy, but as Cooper’s older brother, he was a reminder of my failed relationship. Thankfully, and by some miracle, we’d managed to stay out of each other’s orbit.
Even though I wasn’t in love with Cooper anymore, he was the inspiration for me to writeWhen You Walked Away.If he hadn’t dumped me, there was a chance we wouldn’t be in this position today. But I still didn’t want to answer questions about why I’d spilled my broken heart onto sheet music.
No matter how much I wanted to avoid it, I knew someone would ask.
“You ready?” Cole asked, glancing over at me as I carefully balled up the wrapper to keep from getting crumbs all over Patrick’s car.
“Yep, let’s do this.”
I finished off the last of my coffee, then met my frowning best friend by the front door. I followed his gaze as he motioned to where I was still holding the paper. “Is that another one?”
I tried not to show my unease. “I don’t know. It was taped to my door, and I’d already locked up. Probably from the apartment manager.”
He frowned, and I knew he was gonna call me out on my bullshit. “Why aren’t you opening it, Adam? It might be important. What if they have to go into your apartment to work on something and your cat gets out?”
I snorted. “I don’t have a cat, dumbass. If you’re so concerned, be my guest.”
