“Hi,” I mumbled into his chest. He pulled away, glancing at my outfit for a single heartbeat before lifting his gaze back to my face.
“We got here early because we’re so excited that you agreed to work with us,” he said as we started to walk toward the room.
“Ah. That’s…nice,” I stumbled over my words, unsure of how to respond to that comment. He grinned at me over his shoulder and waved for me to go inside the room ahead of him.
It was a large space split into a studio and a control room, the latter of which was currently occupied by the three other band members. Ezra was talking to Silas, while the guitarist gently strummed his instrument. Abel was sitting in a plush arm chair farther away in the corner, yet he was the first to see me when I entered.
I gave him a tight smile, but he didn’t return it. He wasn’t looking at me with the anger I remembered from the Barnyard, but there was an air of hostility that was impossible to miss. I forced myself to hold his gaze, unflinching. We still hadn’t officially met, something we’d have to correct momentarily.
“Adeline,” Ezra called out, and I turned to face him. He looked handsome today in a casual long-sleeve shirt with aDarkthroneband logo on it. His blue eyes crinkled in the corners when he smiled. “Welcome. How was the rest of your weekend?”
“Good. Worked a shift at the bar and hung out with my sister.” I tipped my chin in the direction of the guitarist beside him. “Hey, Silas.”
The tall beast of a man placed his guitar down and stood, his presence filling up the room. He was wearing a black shirt with the top two buttons undone, showing off the valley at the top of his pecs.
I lifted my chin as he came closer. And closer. He placed his enormous palms on my shoulders. “Cole said you seemed nervous when he said this would be an audition.”
I swallowed. I was starting to suspect he was always this intense, as if he really was a Viking clan leader, instead of a guitarist in a metal band. “No, it’s fine. I mean, I am nervous because I still can’t believe you want to try me out in the first place, but of course I understand.” I was rambling—nervous in his presence—but I couldn’t stop myself. “We both need to make sure it’s a good fit.”
Silas studied my face with hooded eyes, his long hair almost blending with the texture of his beard. I noticed he had his ears pierced, along with the left side of his nose.
He shrugged. “Just know you won’t be auditioning for me. I know a great guitar player when I see one.”
My lips twitched in a smile, and I thought Silas’s palms mirrored the movement when he gave my shoulders a gentle squeeze. His words, or perhaps the contrast between the lightness of his touch and the strength of his hands, made my chest tighten with affection.
I took a step back, readying myself for this next part.
“Hi, I’m Adeline. You must be Abel,” I said, taking a few big steps toward the lead singer and stretching out my palm.
He tilted his head to look up at me. Green, slightly tapered eyes stood in stark contrast to his tanned skin and long blond hair. He had a dimpled chin and cheeks, and his face was clean shaven. The full effect made him look like a goddamn fairy prince. For a moment, something tense ran across his face. Then, just when I started to think he was going to ignore me, he lifted his arm and grasped my fingers.
We shook hands, staring at each other, both of our expressions carefully schooled to remain neutral. Then we pulled away.
“Nice to meet you,” he parsed out in a flat voice and looked at someone behind me.
Okay then.I turned back to the rest of the guys. “So, how do you want to do this?”
I found out Abel was going to produce this album. He’d refused to cede any creative control to a producer chosen by the label. He told everyone in a curt tone which songs he wanted to work on, and we started to rehearse.
I picked up the first song fairly quickly, playing lead while Silas took the rhythm section. He said him and Charlie used to rotate between the two parts depending on the song, and that we could do the same. If today went well and I got the gig, the idea was we’d spend one week rehearsing, and use the following three weeks to record the album.
A few hours after we started, Ezra and Cole decided to make some changes to the drum and bass sections of the song.
“Why don’t we go into the room next door to keep practicing while they figure it out?” Silas jerked his head toward the door.
“Sure,” I said.
“Abel, you want to come with us?” Silas asked the lead singer, who’d been practically mute all day.
Abel rose from the arm of the couch he’d been perched on and followed us.
The other room was smaller, with just two couches and a stool, as well as a selection of amps littered across the floor.
I plugged in my guitar and started to strum the chords I’d just learned.
“Who wrote this one?” I asked, peering at the music sheet I’d placed on the ground.
“Abel and Charlie. They’re the principal songwriters on all the tracks,” Silas said.
