“Right, but maybe I can start a grass roots effort…put the music first in radio.” Dana’s jaw dropped in mock horror. He held his hands up. “I know, I know, radical stuff.”
She laughed. “Well, the song is definitely gonna be a hit, why not be the one to break it first?”
“Exactly how I feel…and that’s why I want you to come with me to convince Ted. I’m going for the two against one approach.”
“I knew you had an ulterior motive for letting me look at cute guys.”
“So are you in?” Jonny said, pushing back from the desk.
“Why not,” Dana agreed grasping Jonny’s outstretched hand to get up. “Let’s go now before I lose my nerve.”
Ted didn’t need much convincing.
“It’s a hit,” he said after listening to the song.
Jonny preened. “That’s why I want to put it in regular rotation.”
“I agree with tha…” Dana said.
“Do it, Jonny,” Ted said, talking over Dana, not even acknowledging her presence in the room.
Jonny and Dana left, victorious.
“That was easy,” he said, patting Dana on the back. “Good work, partner.”
“Why am I invisible?” Dana asked.
Jonny looked over each shoulder. “Did someone just say something…?”
Dana playfully hit Jonny’s arm. “It’s not funny.”
“I saw it and I don’t get it either. Ted’s a jerk, we know that. But, thanks for coming with me anyway.”
“Yeah, I was such a big help.”
“You were.” Jonny put his arm around Dana. “So, on another note, did you decide if you’re going to the party tomorrow night?”
“I have a choice?” She shrugged her shoulders.
“Okay, so Jill and I’ll pick you up.”
“Can’t wait.”
*
That afternoon Dana Drew had the privilege of debuting All You Were during her show. The response was intense. Midway through the song the phones started lighting up.
“Who are they?”
“What’s the name of that song?”
Even Dana was overwhelmed at the positive reception. Jonny poked his head in the studio.
“So?” he asked.
“Jonny the people love it…the phones are ringing off the hook.”
“Wanna hear more good fortune?”
“Okay.”
“They’re playing tomorrow night at Luna on South Beach.
“Really.” Dana’s eyes lit up.
“Yes, really.”
“Why didn’t we know about this sooner? I could’ve interviewed them today on the air to promo the show?”
“Calm down, I just got the press release. See the time and date.” Jonny pointed to the top of the fax. “They’re on a small time label. Their manager guy probably didn’t think about all that stuff.”
“Too bad.”
“Yes, Dana, too bad for them.”
“And me. Tomorrow’s the station party.”
“Yeah, but the boat gets back at eleven. The show starts at midnight. We can make it.”
Dana smiled. “Very true.”
“Anyway here’s the info so you can announce it.”
She grabbed it eagerly. “I will.”
Chapter 22
The Cody Blue Experience van was driving south on the Florida Turnpike. The band just left Jupiter on their way to Miami.
“Turn to WORR – one-oh-one point four,” Eric asked Alex about an hour into their drive. “We should get the station in from up here about now. I sent the press release about your appearance at Luna at the last stop. I wanna hear if we get any airtime before our show tomorrow.”
Alex, tuned the radio to the station. Loud rock came pulsing out. The guys jammed with air instruments. The song ended.
“Shhhh,” Eric said as Dana’s sexy voice came through the speakers.
“Hot rock and new rock, we got it all on WORR – Miami’s Only Rock and Roll. Got some really cool news for ya. That awesome band I played earlier, The Cody Blue Experience, well guess what? They’re comin’ to town. In fact they’ll be here tomorrow at Luna on South Beach for a midnight show. They sound great and they’re cute, too. Catch ‘em while you can! I got more great rock from bands that have already made it after this.”
“Wow! You can’t ask for more than that,” Bobby said.
Eric smiled. It was better than even he had anticipated. “This is good boys. This is real good.”
Chapter 23
“Hello, WORR.”
“Dana, it’s Larry, you never called me back.”
Dana was taken aback to hear the now too familiar Larry on the line.
“Larry, I didn’t get your message,” she answered honestly.
“I didn’t leave a message…I sent a card to you with our picture in it.”
“Oh,” Dana said. She’d never seen the card. “Larry I didn’t get it.”
“It was in a red envelope, surely you must have seen it.” Larry’s voice raised several pitches.
“Larry to be straight with you, I haven’t had a lot of time lately to go through my mail.” It was true. Dana had a stack of fan mail piled up in the corner of her office.
Larry didn’t know how to respond. “Maybe I’ll re-send it,” he said, dreading the fact that he’d have to go and get another copy of the picture made, buy another card and write the same carefully thought out message. Thankfully, he kept a copy of the poem in his top right desk drawer.
“Okay, that’s fine,” Dana replied hoping to end this call.
“But how will I know that you’ll read it?”
“Well…” Dana thought quickly, “I’ll see your name on the return address won’t I?”
Larry hadn’t thought of that. “That’s true. I don’t think I ever told you my last name. It’s Carter like the president.”
“And the Backstreet Boy,” Dana joked.
Larry didn’t respond. This wasn’t funny, this was serious.
“You know,” she continued, “Nick Carter of the Backstreet Boys?”
“I know what you meant I just didn’t find it funny.” He was angry at her for bringing up a boy band member at a time like this.
“Oh.” This guy was really creepy.
“So you’ll look for my card?”
“I told you I would Larry.”
“Larry Carter.”
“Yes, Larry Carter, got it.” Dana jotted down his name. She didn’t want to forget to have Jonny nearby when she found the letter.
“Great.”
“So I’ll talk to you later Larry, I have to get back to work.”
“I understand.”
“Bye.”
“Bye.”
Larry hung up the phone. Damn! These women were all alike, making promises they couldn’t keep. Now he had to go and repeat everything he’d already done.
What a waste of time.
He pounded his hand on the desk angrily, counted to ten, then got the negative to the picture and began the process all over again.
Chapter 24
Dana was relieved when her shift was over. That Larry guy was creepy, creepier than some of the other wacko calls she’s received over the years. She made sure to have George walk her to her car.
“Could you just hang out till I pull away?” she asked him.
“Sure…is something wrong?”
“Just a weird listener call today. Thanks, George.”
True to his word, George stood outside the station until she was safely out of the parking lot and on the road. George was older, grayer and probably not much of a match for an attacker, but he made her feel better.
Dana flipped on her radio and put in The Cody Blue Experience CD, which she had borrowed from Jonny, and listened to it on the way home. The lyrics to the songs touched her. They spoke of fear and loss, redemption and love. They were deeper than ninety percent of the songs she currently played.
She got home and brought the CD inside, poured herself a
glass of wine and played it again, falling asleep on the sofa.
It had been a rough day.
*
Saturday came and went. Before Dana knew it, Jill and Jonny were calling to say they were on their way over to pick her up for the station party.
Dana dressed in a short red dress that hugged every curve and put on strappy sexy sandals that made her legs look endless. Her long black hair was piled messily on her head, long tendrils framing her face. Dana smiled at her reflection in the mirror, she looked damn good and she knew it. It made her feel great…and confident. She hadn’t felt this womanly in a long time. Not since Sam left, anyway.
Jonny and Jill arrived on time. They too looked great. Jonny had recently re-bleached his tresses, so his hair was white blonde and standing on end. He wore a tight dark black shirt and matching jacket with fitted black pants. Jill matched him in a black cocktail length sleeveless dress. Her blonde hair was pulled back in a tight French twist. They looked like a couple.
The ride to the boat was filled with gossipy station conversation.
“So I hear you’re working with Nick,” Dana said to Jill.
“Ugh, don’t remind me. He has the most leering eyes.”
“He does,” Dana agreed. “I think he’s slept with half the women at the station.”
“Really?” Jill turned to face Dana. “I thought he was married?”
“And that’s supposed to stop him?” Dana asked. Jonny grew hot under his collar.
“I wonder why his wife puts up with it,” Jill said, staring out the window. “I certainly wouldn’t.”
“Me neither. How ‘bout you Jonny?” Dana prodded.
“Huh?”
Jill looked at him. “Put up with your spouse cheating.”
“No way,” he answered. “So are they serving dinner at this shindig?”
“I don’t know,” Dana answered. Jonny was relieved he had successfully changed the topic of conversation.
They arrived at the party boat docked at Bayside Marketplace in Miami. Though it was January, the night was balmy. A gentle breeze wove through the palm fronds. The sky was clear and the moon full. The Miami skyline shone neon colors. It was a beautiful night.
The three made their way to the dock to meet the party boat. The Celebration was three stories tall - two indoor floors with an open air top deck for dancing. They boarded the vessel, pasted on their phony smiles and made a beeline for the bar. Alcohol was the only way to get through one of these parties.
Dana couldn’t wish the party away fast enough. She had The Cody Blue Experience on her brain. It was nice to have a distraction from Sam. Her brain was on overload, analyzing every angle of what went wrong. Her heart just missed him. She picked up the phone last night and almost called him. Then she realized she had no idea what his home number was or where his home even was. She briefly thought of calling his work number, foolishly thinking the party might be a good excuse to see each other, thinking maybe he had a change of heart. But five digits in, she hung up. If anything had changed he would have called.
Going to see the new band tonight would be fun…and would take up more of the night. Lately, sleep was hard alone in her very quiet apartment. Nighttime was when she missed Sam the most. The empty space next to her was a cruel reminder, so a reason not to go home was a blessing. Jonny called the club yesterday to tell them they were coming. They were put on the VIP guest list, a nice little perk of their job.
While Dana hung out at the bar, Jonny and Jill took to the dance floor. A top forty style band was playing their hearts out. Jonny twirled Jill and they shared a knowing smile. Dancing used to be one of their favorite things to do.
“It’s been too long since we’ve done this,” Jill said, beaming.
“I agree,” Jonny said, returning her smile.
It wasn’t long before Nick Coleman approached them. Nick wore a tight white t-shirt and a single large diamond earring. “Can I have this dance?” he said to Jill, extending his hand.
Jonny batted it away. “Aw, Nick, don’t steal my wife from me. I rarely get to see her.”
Nick snickered to himself wondering if Jonny thought about his wife while he was banging Heather. Nick kept what he had seen a secret. He knew that juicy little tidbit might come in handy one day.
“Well, now that we’re working together on the Miami Motors account I thought we could mix some pleasure with business.”
Jill forced a smile. “Sorry, Nick, I’ll have to agree with my husband on this one. We’ll have time together on Monday.”
“Promise sweetie?”
“Promise,” Jill said with saccharin sweetness.
Nick gave her a peck on the cheek and walked away.
Jill shuddered and wiped her cheek. “He’s so icky.”
Jonny laughed. “That he is.”
The two of them danced and socialized together. Heather watched them from across the dance floor. She had never seen Jill before. Jill’s body wasn’t as good as hers was, that was for sure, but Jill was pretty. Jonny didn’t seem to mind her too much. The way he described her, Heather had pictured a wallflower with no personality, not this attractive woman who Jonny was clearly enjoying himself with.
Heather desperately wanted to approach him, ask him why he hadn’t put her back on the air, but she knew better than to confront him here. Instead she just figured she’d give him a rise, make a little trouble.
“Hey Jonny,” she said breezing by in her short form-fitting gold slip dress.
He looked a little shaken. “Oh, Heather, hi.”
Jill nudged him. “Aren’t you going to introduce us sweetheart?” she asked, intertwining her fingers with his.
“Heather, this is my wife Jill, Jill this is Heather. She’s the one who called us the other night.”
Jill took in the young girl before her and pasted on a smile. She sensed the young girl’s thirst for her husband. “Nice to meet you.”
Jonny saw the two women shake hands. It was too weird.
“Nice to meet you, too. I’ll catch you guys later,” Heather said, turning to walk away, making sure Jonny saw her tight golden ass.
He didn’t miss it.
“Hey, look at me,” Jill said, noticing it too.
“I only see you babe,” Jonny said, pulling her close. “Only you.” He wrapped his arms around her trying not to mind the slight roll of fat he felt on her hip.
Things were not going well for Dana either. Three watered down mai tais and too many phony conversations later, she was really ready to leave. Unfortunately, things only got worse.
General Manager, Bill Fox, approached the stage and took the microphone from the singer. It squeaked with feedback, getting everyone’s attention.
Bill tapped the mic, “Is this working?” Several nods confirmed it, so he continued. “I just wanted to thank you all for coming and for the awesome job you did last year!” The crowd applauded appropriately.
“This kickoff is meant to start this year off right and I know we will!” Again, applause. “And in an effort to inspire you…we want to give you something as a little bonus…a sign of our appreciation to inspire you for greatness this year!”
The crowd let out a shocked gasp. A gift was rare, a bonus unheard of.
“We’ve got you all these fantastic WORR paperweights!” Bill held up a clear Lucite ball. “The message of this gift is for you to not let work weigh you down because we’ve taken the weight on for you!” Weak golf applause followed. Dana exchanged knowing glances with Jonny. Were they really supposed to be excited about this?
Bill continued overenthusiastically, “So thanks again, enjoy the rest of the party and don’t forget to pick up your awesome paperweights on the way out! Good night everyone! Here’s to another great year!” He smiled and held the paperweight up in the air in triumph looking like a monument to absurdity.
Dana approached Jonny and Jill. “Okay, now I’m ready to go.”
The boat was approaching the port. “Looks like y
ou got your wish.”
Dana, Jonny and Jill were among the first to leave.
“Hey, don’t forget your awesome paperweight,” Dana joked.
“Oh, wouldn’t dream of it,” Jonny said with mock sincerity as they crossed the parking lot to their car. “Ready to go to Luna?”
“I think you know the answer to that,” Dana said, opening her compact to check her appearance.
“You still look great Dana.”
“Thanks Jill.”
They zipped down to South Beach only to get stuck in the familiar crawl on Collins Avenue.
“Parking is going to be a nightmare!” Jill exclaimed.
“I think they have valet,” Jonny answered.
“Yeah, they do,” Dana confirmed.
“Good,” Jill replied, “I’m ready to get out of this car. I feel like I’ve been confined all night…on the boat…in this car…”
“I couldn’t agree more.” Dana sighed.
Finally they arrived at Luna, Miami’s new hot spot. A long line of people wrapped around the stark white structure bathed in purple light. Models and model wannabes craned their necks to measure their progress to entry.
Dana, Jonny and Jill walked past the crowd up to the red velvet rope. The doorman stopped them. Jonny loved this part.
“Jonny Rock from WORR.” Jonny gave him his driver’s license, prepared for the usual formality.
The doorman looked down at his list. “Jonny Rock, plus one.” He crossed his name off.
“That’s Dana Drew with us.”
“Hey.” Dana handed the doorman her ID.
“Gotcha,” he released the clip on the rope and let them through. “Have a good night.”
They slipped through the club weaving their way through a packed crowd. The far back wall was lined with white beds ensconced with sheer white gauze. Girls in tiny dresses lounged with men twice their age laughing for no reason. The center of the club was all dance floor. Cages with go-go dancers in silver sequined bikinis hung from the ceiling. People moved rhythmically to the pulsing beat. It was a challenge, but they made it to the backstage door. Jonny had set up a meet and greet with The Cody Blue Experience through the band’s manager, Eric. He told them to meet him at the stage door when they arrived.
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