“Oh yeah, they kicked ass! Too bad what happened to them. I even heard their demo on the radio once. Who’d he get? The brothers?”
“Yup, Richard has their lead guitar and bass,” she said. “He’s looking for a lead singer and a drummer, and he wants really good people. He asked me to help.”
“Are you saying you want me in a group with the guys from Mother?” Jude asked.
“You’d need to audition, but I think you’re perfect. I heard you play the other night. Your band is holding you back. I know you’re tight with them, but on stage it’s a mess.”
“I know, but they’re like brothers to me. I can’t just leave them.”
“Talk to them. If you guys really are that close, they’re not going to tell you to stay with them. They have to know you're destined for better things.”
“Really? Destined for better things? You think so?”
“Absolutely,” she said as she looked up at him and smiled. “You do something on those drums that’s just magical. Talent like that shouldn’t be wasted.”
No one had ever said anything like that to him before. It confused him. Usually when people were nice to him, they wanted something. That was the life he grew up with. But here was Zoey, who barely knew him at all, and she was trying to get him to chase his dreams because she believed he was destined for it. He never thought he had potential for much before, but here was someone who believed in him, and it made him believe in himself, too.
He looked at Zoey with her black pigtails and crimson stained lips and thought about Cade again. It was obvious Cade was into her, and he could see why. Zoey was the perfect woman. She was sweet, smart, and beautiful. She wasn’t a tiny waif like a lot of the other girls who hung around the clubs, but to him that made her even better.
Sliding his arm around her shoulders, he pulled her close to him and softly kissed her lips. She smelled sweet, like cherries. Kissing her again, he tilted his head to fit his lips to hers and kissed her slowly. One small kiss, then another. Wanting more of her with each kiss, he let them grow more intense. The music stopped and the crowd applauded his friends, reminding Jude where they were.
“Let’s go to the pier and watch the waves come in,” he said.
She nodded and they started walking towards the noisy boardwalk with its large Ferris wheel and rollercoaster. The pier was even more crowded, but they walked down farther over the ocean and found a bench that faced the rides and coastline.
The sun was high on a cloudless day and the dark blue of the ocean contrasted against the white foam of the waves hitting the pale sandy shore. They were surrounded by different families, performing artists, even hustlers trying to entice tourists into playing Three-Card Monte.
“So where is this audition? Does this Richard Black guy have anyone I know in mind for the singer?” Jude asked.
“It’s in Seattle. The guys from Mother live up there and Richard was able to get access to London Bridge Studios. I have to tell you something though. They heard a tape of you playing with your band and weren't impressed, but they admitted it was hard to tell. The singer they got a couple of days ago vouched for you though. It’s because of him that they agreed to audition you, but it’s really just a formality. Mostly they want to make sure you all get along.”
“Really? Wow, who’s the singer?”
“Cade.”
Jude groaned. He had nothing but respect for the guy, but he wondered why Cade kept coming up every time he was with Zoey.
“Guess it really is a small world,” he said. “When do they want me to go up there?”
“Richard’s going to cover all expenses. He’s already rented a house up there and if everything goes well, you can stay there with the band because you’ll start recording right away.”
“Are you coming too?”
She laughed. “No, you don't need me there.”
“Yes, I do. I do need you there. You’re my muse,” he said before leaning in to kiss her again. She jerked away and Jude immediately regretted using the word. “I’m sorry, it really is a compliment though. I really want you there. I need you there.”
“I don’t know. I mean I hardly know you and I need to work. Oh, work!” she looked at her watch then up the pier towards the street. “I’m really sorry, but I have to go. I have to get to work tonight. I’m going to be late.”
“Can’t you call out? There’s no way you can get there from here quickly. Stay with me.”
Jude could see the wheels turning in her head. “Is there a payphone around? Let me call my roommate Megan. She has tonight off, maybe I can convince her to cover for me,” she said.
“Yeah sure, just up ahead by the shops.”
Reaching the payphone, they pooled together all the change they could find. She dialed the number and hoped Megan would be home to answer. She picked up on the third ring.
“You freaked me out. I thought you weren’t home,” Zoey said. “Listen, I’m on a payphone and don’t have much time. Can you cover for me tonight?”
“Are you kidding me, Zoey? This is my first night off in over a week!” Megan said.
“Please? You know I never ask you to cover for me, and I’ve covered for you before. I’m at the Santa Monica Pier. I had to talk to that drummer, remember from a couple weeks ago at Pay For Play?”
“The sexy one? How could I forget? He’s there with you now? So that’s why you were looking all cute when you left earlier, you’re on a date!”
“It’s not a date, it’s work. I kind of got a job doing A&R.”
“For real? What about college? I thought you were all gung-ho about going to school.”
“I am and I will, but I couldn’t let this opportunity pass by.” Zoey heard a click on the line, meaning that her money was running out. “Please Megan, my time is up. Please say you’ll cover for me.”
“You owe me, but yes. Have fun on your date.”
“It’s not a date!” Zoey said as the line went dead.
She turned around and smiled as Jude grinned. “This could be a date, you know,” he said.
Her cheeks turned red and she looked away. “I can’t believe you heard all that.”
“Now about Seattle, I really want you there. Say you’ll go with me. It’s work, remember?” He stepped closer to her, feeling the heat of her body near his. “I’m not going unless you go with me.”
“But you have to go! This is your big break.”
“Then you’re just going to have to come, too. I’m destined for better things, remember? That’s what you said. I think you’re part of that, too,” Jude said. “Say you’ll come with me.”
She nodded slowly, meeting his gaze with a smile. “Okay, I’ll go to Seattle.”
6
Jude
Sitting next to Zoey on the plane to Seattle was surreal. They spent the past three days together and there was so much to talk about and share with each other that they hadn't even slept together yet. Not that Jude didn't want to. He wanted her more every day, but it wasn't as important to him as getting to know everything about her.
As they walked through the airport towards baggage claim, Jude kept his arm around her shoulders. Spotting a man in a dark suit and cap holding a sign that read ‘Jude Morrison,’ Jude squeezed her closer to him and kissed the top of her head. He remembered seeing drivers at the airport when he was a kid with their signs for the important people they were picking up. Now he was that important person.
They slid into the back of the black Lincoln Town Car and the driver eased into traffic before looking in his rearview mirror at them.
“London Bridge Studios?” he asked.
“Yes,” Jude answered before turning to Zoey. “Everything’s moving so fast, it’s just incredible.”
“Are you sure you’re okay with auditioning right away?” she asked.
“Honestly, I’d rather play before anything else. That’s where I’m the most comfortable. Having to meet the guys and see how we get along intimidates me.”
>
He laughed, but it was true. He was always more comfortable talking to girls than other guys. The only guys he ever felt comfortable with were Ron and Derek. His mother used to tell him everyone was jealous of him, but after years of her lying to him, he knew that couldn't be true. Why would anyone be jealous of him anyway? He was just some guy from Ohio.
“The past few days sped by so quickly. I’m glad Richard was able to wait so I could come along. I felt bad having to work the rest of the week, but I couldn’t just leave them.”
“I had to talk to Ron and Derek anyway. That wasn’t fun, but they took it pretty well. Ron thought it was a no-brainer. Derek seemed more upset by it, but he’ll get over it.”
“What are they going to do now? Will they get another drummer?”
“Nah. Just before I left, Ron told me they really didn’t think music was for them. They love playing, but they’re just not good enough.”
“Are they going back home?”
Jude laughed. “I asked that, and Derek’s response was ‘no fucking way.’ They’ll figure something out. And if I really do hit it big, maybe they can help on tour. You never know.”
The car pulled into a parking lot and stopped in front of a long white warehouse. As they opened the car door, Richard Black stepped out of the building wearing khaki pants and a tweed blazer over a light blue button-down shirt.
“Did you have a good flight?” Richard asked. “Sorry to rush you into the studio so quickly, but I only got this place for two weeks and I want to make the most out of it as possible. The guys have been working on some songs. Cade came with lyrics so we were able to get those parts down already. I know you'll blow them away, so let's do this!”
Jude wanted to say something but didn't. He tried focusing on the positive things Richard said but couldn't. Zoey pulled him back before entering the building.
"We'll be right there, Richard," she said. Once he went back inside, she looked up at Jude. "What just happened? Are you okay?"
Jude wondered how she knew. He was so used to hiding his feelings that he never thought anyone would be able to see when something was wrong.
"What do you mean?" he said. "Everything's fine. Great actually."
"Do I look stupid? Don't give me that bullshit. I saw that look just before. I felt you tense up. What's going on?"
"It's stupid. Let's just go inside."
"No Jude, it's not stupid. If something's bothering you, tell me. Not just because I'm helping Richard, but because I'm here with you and for you."
He searched her eyes for an answer and found it. She meant every word she said. Kissing her forehead, he then wrapped his arms around her and held her close.
"Don't laugh, but I think it's my ego. I mean, they started without me and two of them had to be convinced to even meet me. I'm just some monkey playing a drum. They don't need me."
"No, that's not true at all. Don't think that way," she said. "Richard said it himself, there's limited time at this studio. Think of the great stuff that's already been recorded here. Not many people can say their first time in a studio is at one like London Bridge. There's history here."
"I know. And I'm grateful to be here, but I still feel like I don't add anything."
"Have you ever tried writing? It might be too late now for this record since we're already here and all, but maybe if you did some writing you'd feel more like a part of the band."
Jude smiled and kissed her lips. "How is it that we just met but it feels like I've known you my whole life? I love writing. And you're right, maybe if there's a next album, you'll see some songs on there with a J. Morrison byline."
Keeping his arm around her shoulders, they entered the studio and followed Richard. The entrance of London Bridge Studios was made up of a series of doorways and rooms divided by red makeshift walls. Richard brought them into a room with green curtains and an Asian style print rug. Cade stood in front of a computer monitor with a pair of headphones on while two men sat on a tan loveseat.
“Jude, Zoey,” Richard said, “I’d like to introduce you to Matt and Stone Murdock.”
Matt was a muscular man who made the acoustic guitar on his lap look small. His stubbly beard faded into his short dark hair. Wearing a pair of faded jeans, boots, and a white t-shirt, he looked relaxed as he noodled on the guitar.
Standing up, Stone walked over and shook Jude’s and Zoey’s hands. With a similar look to Matt, except not as muscular, it was easy to tell they were brothers. Stone also had short, closely-cropped dark hair, but he was clean-shaven, revealing a chin dimple. In a worn denim shirt tucked into his jeans, Jude could already tell that despite their physical appearance, the brothers were nothing alike.
“Forgive my brother, he can be a little rude sometimes. He’s trying to figure out some melody that’s stuck in his head. If we’re lucky, he’ll be at it for days,” Stone said, laughing. “Cade’s listening to some tracks he recorded yesterday. You’ll have to hear them later, they’re really great. Any interest in jamming while they’re busy? Cade’s been going on and on about how well you play and I'm tired of waiting around for them.”
“Yeah, that would be great,” Jude said. “I was a big fan of yours when you were in Mother. You laid some of the sickest grooves on bass.”
“Thanks, I try my best.”
“Zoey, do you mind hanging out here?” Jude asked, not wanting to leave her if she felt uncomfortable.
“Don’t worry about her,” Cade said as he lowered the headphones to his neck. “I’ll keep her company. It’s good to see my muse here.”
“Ugh, shut up with that already, will you, Cade?” Zoey said.
Jude pulled out a pair of drumsticks from a bag he carried from the car. Stone pointed to a series of doors, and they walked through and entered the recording area. Letting out a low whistle, Jude looked around at the light wood floor and tiered ceiling. While the other room had a bohemian vibe, this room was all business.
“This is a sweet setup,” Jude said.
“Yeah, it is really nice. This is where we record, and the sound is amazing,” said Stone.
Jude walked over to the drums, a cherry-stained maple kit with Sabian cymbals. He sat on the black leather throne, adjusted the seat, and hit a few of the drums and cymbals to test their placement.
“Anything specific you want to play?” he asked.
“Nah, just play and I’ll come in,” Stone said as he picked up an ivory five-string Fender Jazz bass.
Jude thought of the melody Matt was working on in the other room and started playing. Stone nodded and began filling in the bottom end. As they played, Matt came into the room.
“Holy shit, that’s it!” he said as he picked up his sunburst Les Paul and played what he was working on earlier.
Feeling at ease, Jude realized what he had been missing while playing with his friends. This felt right and even though they were just jamming, it was good.
Later that night, Richard drove them to the house he rented for them to stay in. It was a restored painted lady, a Victorian home with light green and dark red paint. As they walked up the front steps, Zoey pointed to the sunrise painted on the front of the covered porch. It was a four-bedroom home, fully furnished, surrounded by a black wrought iron gate.
They grilled some burgers and hot dogs for dinner and sat on lawn chairs around a fire pit while they ate. Richard held up a bottle of beer and cleared his throat.
“This is it, guys. You four are going to be huge. I can feel it. Thank you for all your hard work so far and for dropping everything to come out here,” he said.
“What’s the band’s name?” Zoey asked.
“I was waiting until everyone was together to figure that out. I’m heading out now to the hotel, but you guys think about it and let me know what you come up with.”
“Maybe we should think of something local,” Stone said. “Matt and I are from here, and we’re recording here. Might be nice to honor where we came together.”
“Like wh
at? Seattle?” Matt said, laughing.
“It’s no wonder you can’t write lyrics, you have no imagination at all,” Stone said.
“We’re staying in one of those painted ladies,” Cade said.
“No way am I going to be a Painted Lady,” Jude said laughing. “What about the Space Needle? Not for a name, but maybe there’s something about it we can use.”
Everyone was silent for a moment as they thought.
“I know in the original drawings it was supposed to have this really bright light shooting out of the top,” Zoey said.
“That’s pretty cool. I wonder why they didn’t do that,” Cade said.
“Probably because it would look like a UFO beaming up,” Matt said.
“I think it would’ve looked pretty cool. Imagine this bright silver light shooting up from the top of the Space Needle,” Jude said.
“Wait a sec there, Jude,” Stone said. “I think you’ve got something. Silver…light. Silverlight. I like it. What do you guys think?”
“It’s perfect,” Cade said as everyone else nodded.
“You have no idea how happy I am that you came with me,” Jude said as he sat on the edge of the bed.
The room had striped cream wallpaper, French doors with dark taupe drapes that led to a balcony, and a large bed in the middle with enough pillows to cover half the bed.
“I’m glad I came, too. This is really an incredible experience. Not everyone gets to see a band come together like this. And you guys sounded amazing earlier. Like ahh-mazing. Seriously,” she said, grinning. “How do you feel about everything?”
“It’s better than I ever imagined. I mean I love playing and I love Derek and Ron, they’re like brothers to me. But earlier, just jamming with those guys was something else altogether. I can’t explain it.”
“I can’t wait to hear the songs when they’re done,” she said as she pulled out her pajamas from her open bag on the floor.
“Zoey…” Jude said, his voice husky as he got off the bed and pulled her close. “I don’t think you’ll be needing those tonight.”
Lucky: A Rockstar Romance Two Book Boxed Set Page 19
