Chapter Thirteen
Cal
Lex gets to my house to start lyrics as I compose the music. She has brought sample beats with her so that we can format or adjust them to whatever lyrics we get.
Normally I give input on what I like and compose based on that, however I am taking a huge and uncomfortable step here with this project.
"So, I have an idea." I tell Lex once we are in the production room and everything is set to start writing.
"What's that?" She asks while chewing gum and looking around the room before sitting beside me at the switch board.
"Well... I can’t write lyrics. I have tried a million times and I suck at it. I can throw a good line in here or there, but I am better at composing."
She looks at me with boredom. "I know, you’ve said it a million times." She snaps her gum and reaches for her binder full of songs when I hand my palm out.
"Give me the gum. You’ll drive me crazy."
She sticks her tongue out at me and plops the gum in my hand and I throw it away. "So anyway? What's the idea?" She says, stops short when she sees the fluorescent Red Fender Strat. "New toy? Spoiled much?" She winks and I know she is kidding. She is not the type to get jealous or judge. Lexington is unique in every way. I think with the right guidance she will take this industry by storm and not let it change her like it did me.
I go over and lift it up and grab the case it was perched on. "This is actually for you." I say and hope she says thanks and leaves it at that.
No such luck though when she started screaming and jumping up and down before grabbing me and hugging me. "Holy shit Calvin! Are you serious?" She squeals in my ear and I do my best to be humbled by her emotion, and I am. I just...ugh girls and screaming fits.
"Yes, serious." I say and smile at her toothy grin. "I have another case for the blue one you rebuilt as well." She looks at me like I am crazy to suggest keeping it. "You never throw a guitar away, especially your first. Sometimes there can be no hope and the guitar take’s a shit. Even then tossing it is questionable."
I pick up her old guitar and toy with the strings and make it squeal on a random riff. "See, still a worthy toy and ten years from now you will look at it with the love you do a kid."
Jen walks in and starts yelling over the riff as I keep playing with the dumpster guitar. I stop and look at her, scared I am about to get in trouble but no clue why. "Hey, sound proof. I'm studying."
She smiles sweetly and it dawns on me the door was open so the sound will filter and carry through the house, even to the office. I set it down and nod.
"Sorry Red. My bad."
She smiles sweet again and looks at Lex's guitar. "Did you die? I was sure that was you screaming?"
"Holy shit yes!" She says and laughs again as she claps her hands. "So, didn’t expect that. Sorry I screamed." She says and Jen shrugs.
"I knew about it so I was prepared for some form of outburst once he did it."
"Well, I swear I will not scream anymore unless the door is closed." She says and I stand and head to the door because chit chat and celebration is killing time and I am in work mode and I hear I am a dick when I am serious. I try to go for polite and focus.
"Which is now because we have work and a lot of it. And you," I say and pull her in for a sweet, too fast kiss. "Need to study whatever brander, piercer, dermal chicks do."
She rolls her eyes and looks over the side of my shoulder. "Have fun with worker bee here. He will drive you crazy, probably offend you and most likely make you want to quit. rest assured the minute he leaves the room, he will be good old Calvin again." She looks back at me and sticks her tongue out as she says Calvin.
"Out, you shit." I say and nudge her out the door before closing the door and setting the lock.
I sit back at the switchboard and catch her staring at me like I have some big secret. "What?" I ask and seriously, I got shit to go over not gossip.
"You two seem...different. I don’t know, at peace maybe?"
I recall my ignorant comment last week when we played for the guys and they laughed that she called me Calvin. Admittedly it isn’t my favorite choice, but the name CD made it sound divine in comparison. "We are at somewhat of an impasse and hashing shit out."
"Together?" She asks and with this, unbeknownst to her, is part of the work so I allow the questions.
I nod and look at her. "We have a history that is equal parts dreamy and nightmare. Over a decade of sweet and cruel. That's what we gotta hash out."
"Do you love her?"
