"No, I asked her to come here to play it so you could see. I have chemistry with her like I do you guys. She didn’t know what she was doing at first, mixing the beats but I showed her a thing or two and, hand to God... it will blow your mind."
"I will be the voice of reason here." Chad says and looks me dead in the eye. "It isn’t that I don’t trust your ability because you are the best at composing and how you hear it, how it inspires. I am concerned you getting involved with something so left field and being a laughing stock. I need to see it live to know if I can give you all my support."
"That's fair. Anyone else want to add to the table before I annihilate all caution from your minds?" I ask, slightly annoyed by Chads, full support speech.
"Look, you are like he said, the best at composition. But this could affectyourbrand." Shame says and shrugs and I get it they are scared and I can respect that.
"I'll break it down." Noah says and strums on his bass as he tightens his strings. "With the list comes a ton of controversy as well. You do this after being in the top fifty in the 21st? Then fail... you will be called arrogant and cocky for all the wrong reasons. You need to protect yourself in this until some industry sound minds agree with us."
"You guys won’t agree though until we both dance for you, right?"
I don’t hide my irritation from them.
Noah stands and sets his guitar aside and cups his hands between his legs. "I am with you one hundred even if it sounds like shit, but I am not the know all be all of labels and production. I am saying be sure you trust it implicitly so the chance is worth it tenfold."
I nod and chew at my thumb. Insecurities are a mother fucker. I usually reserve that shit for my parenting and shit with Jen. I have not felt an ounce of insecurity since joining TAT and it’s because I knew, like I know now, that where we were going would take the world by storm.
"Can you guys give me the benefit of the doubt and let me bring to life what I am trying to inspire right now? I have never steered us wrong in this industry and I have worked longer, harder and damn near sacrificed everything for us. So, a little credit would be justified." I look at them, my disappointment like a heartbeat in the room. "Trust me to show you even if you can’t understand it."
I shake my head and grab my jacket. "Your studio isn’t set up so I am headed to my place to meet her. Come if you can have a little faith because once I hone this shit it will blow everything like it to pieces."
Bright and the girls agreed to keep Axe until Jen was off at nine, but right as Lex showed up the entire crew did too. Wives, Fiancés and kids in tow.
Including Jen.
"What's up?" I ask and laugh as my kitchen filled with my people.
"We heard you needed a little audience for a new project." Raleigh says and pops a hip on my counter trying his damndest to look serious. "I love projects, so I am 100 baby."
He looks at Lex and winks and she smiles, but seems extremely confused.
"Everyone this is Lexington Cherry." I spread my arm out in grand style as I show off the misfits that helped make me who I am, then to her. "Lex meet everyone."
They all introduce and chit chat, welcoming her and I look to my boys, all three sitting together with a beer in hand looking like the three stooges.
"Thanks for coming... just let me show you without the bullshit pre-game yeah?"
They nod and each go kiss and man handle their females while I take Lex's gear in my hands...and look to Jen who I just saw walk in the door. I set Lex's stuff down, except her guitar which was still missing a case.
Something I was rectifying immediately.
"Hey..." I say and let it hang there not really sure if we could see eye to eye anymore.
"Hey. I got off early after the blow out earlier so when Bright text me and told me to meet here..." Her words trail off and I hate the Grand Canyon size of drama and tension between us. I just want her and don’t know why that isn’t enough.
Want is the hand holder of true love. They are only perfect when together, just like Red and I.
"Regardless of everything going on and the tension between us..." I look at her hoping she will know I am sincere. "Jen, you never need a reason to be here. You have a room and when it is your time with Axe or not. This is your home too."
She nods and I see the faint blush on her cheeks.
"Do you want to come and see what the fuss is about? I guarantee it will be East of awesome." I try to show my excitement and my desire for her approval.
"East of awesome?" She asks and I can hear the amusement in her tone and it gives me relief. For now, we are at peace and that is a start.
"Yeah East." I motion to the ceiling. "The sky is the limit when I put my mind on something."
"Well I guess we go see what East of awesome is all about." She says, but she is looking at the peanut gallery watching us interact.
