“Well… Long story short, the guys and I were dinking around. Just messing with a few chords and lyrics, and a movie producer heard us. He told us how much he liked the sound and flippantly wondered if we could write a song worthy of his next project. The film is wrapped, but the music score is off, so he’s been stuck searching for the right sound. He spent a few minutes explaining the plot and conflict of the movie, and I kid you not, we wrote the perfect song for him in less than twenty-five minutes.”
“Seriously?” I gasp in disbelief.
I know the guys have talent, but that’s fast, even for them.
“You know Charlotte Ann, that romance author who’s married to Luke Leighton, the coach of the Renegades?”
“Yeah.” I’d have to be living under a rock to not know those two. “The girls read her books, I’m sure of it.”
“Exactly. I’ve even listened to some of her books on audio because Sloane loves her work. Anyways… Each book in her latest series is being adapted into full-length films, and the producer who heard us said our song would be perfect. He pitched it to the other producers, and just as we got into town, our manager says he received a contract for the use of our song.”
“Congratulations! That’s great news!”
“No, Mark… You don’t understand. This series has a bigger fanbase than you’d imagine. The films are predicted to become a major hub of pop culture if the initial sales are anything to go by. The books flew off the shelves. There were major release parties for each book in the series across the country. These parties grew with each new release. The series made Charlotte Ann a household name… And thanks to being stuck in LA, our new song will be a part of the original soundtrack. This has the potential to launch Ruby Frax into the next stratosphere.”
“Holy sh—” I start, then realize I should hold my tongue in front of the twins. “That is incredible news. When will it release?”
“Near the holidays. We’ll officially record the song in the studio next week, with some extended versions. Then we’ll get it to the production company.”
“Any word on when Sloane returns?”
“Not sure. When we talked a few hours ago, she said she’s staying an extra day back east to catch a show in Boston tomorrow, but she’s not entirely sure if it’ll pan out.”
Shit. I just made plans to be out of town.
“Is Becca back? Or will the two of you need more help? I, uh… Got called in for a quick trip to DC.”
“I’ve got it covered,” Jax assures me with a grin. “Between my parents and everyone else in town, I’m sure I can get someone to watch the boys for the few hours I’ll be in the studio.”
“Can I have more carrots?” Jason asks, holding up his plate.
“Please,” Jax reminds him.
Jason briefly purses his lips, then quickly turns to me with a smile I can’t refuse. “Papa, can I please have more carrots?”
Reaching for the spoon, as the dish is on the other side of me, I ask, “Want more than carrots?”
“Can I have that potato, too?” He points to a small yellow one in the bowl. “Those were yummy.”
“Me, too, please,” Josh chimes in as he holds up his plate.
“After we clean up from dinner, Aunt Emily is in town and wants to see you.”
“Aunt Emily! Do we get to see Grammy and Papa Cartwright, too?” Josh bursts with excitement.
“Yeah, can we see them?” Jason echoes with such joy, I can’t help but grin.
“Of course! You know they love seeing you boys.”
“Your family is always welcome here, Jax,” I quickly remind him, then add, “If I’d known your sister was in town, I would’ve invited her over myself. I’m sure she’d love to see the boys.”
“Oh, they know. Em just arrived today,” Jax assures me. “I didn’t even know she was coming until she called on her way out here.” Jax shakes his head and shrugs. “Leave it to Emily to always keep us on our toes.”
“With my four girls, that was always the case, trust me.”
I’m so engrossed in the code I’m working on that I barely register the knock at my door, until there’s a second one. After saving my work, I stand from my desk. My body is stiff from hours of being in the same position. Flexing my fingers, I roll my neck from side to side, my muscles protesting with each step I make toward the door.
I spot a tall shadow through the top glass, and I don’t even need a peek to know who it is. It’s Mark. I just know it. Without hesitation, I swing it open.
