by Tori Brooks
“Maybe later, not yet. Right now I want to build relationships with the boys.”
“And help Nicholas keep and eye on me.” Teri turned away again. “I’m done here.” She started to pack up the camera.
“Nicholas probably doesn’t need help, he’s known you a long time and you’re close. I see things a different way though, and he appreciates that.”
“Like dragging me out in a rainstorm to take pictures of lightning so I can try to imply it’s something else?” Teri laughed.
“Like that, yeah.”
“And after I’m all better you’ll just be hanging out to avoid temptation? There’ll be no excuses then.”
“I’m more worried about after I get the boys through the studio and recording contracts and we look at touring. There are a lot of things that can happen on the road and it’s always been a weakness for me. I sent Zane a demo tape and he proposed having the boys open for us for just a short US tour in a year.”
“You don’t sound convinced. Worried you’ll pick up the twenty-somethings and start partying again?” Teri had her camera tucked away and turned to face him. Flynn nodded briefly. “What about Drew?”
Flynn was grateful for the darkness again. Paul didn’t mention telling Teri that Drew was more than just Flynn’s best friend. He was his on again, off again lover for over twenty years. Surely Paul would have warned Flynn if Teri knew. For that matter, Flynn wasn’t certain if Paul knew or not.
“What about him?” Flynn asked carefully.
“Won’t he keep you in line on tour if you ask him to?” Concern tinged Teri’s voice and Flynn relaxed.
“He never has before. Don’t mention the idea of opening for us to Kenny, will you? I’m still considering whether I want to tour again.”
“Sure,” Teri smiled.
Flynn drove Teri to another site to take a few more pictures, all the while discussing the kids. It almost seemed like Teri was avoiding more personal subjects. For what was supposed to be a casual outing, Flynn covered some serious groundwork. Now he just had to make her forget or be willing to overlook how much he reminded her of Jess.
• • •
Teri refused to alter any of the pictures of lightning to make them appear what they weren’t. Kenny was right, it wasn’t accidental porn if you edited it. Of course, as Lexi Frost she touched up and altered shadows and used every trick in the book. That was different, it was people. Real porn. No, art. She hated how close the two came sometimes. Art, she reminded herself. Her pictures could be hung on the wall. If no minors lived there.
Flynn kept asking about the pictures. Fine, she huffed, if it would make him happy. Teri sat down in her tiny office and pulled the pictures up on her computer. She put nine of them on the screen and stared at them. She wasn’t sure what exactly she was looking for. Something. Something that could be something else. That could be . . . well, that flag pole is slightly phallic.
Teri looked through the other pictures. If the flag pole was slightly suggestive, the way those shrubs poked up was downright pornographic. Too bad the lightning wasn’t angled differently.
Of course she could fix that.
Teri started for her mouse then stopped, maybe she didn’t have to. She took a lot of pictures, there might be a better one. Carefully, she sorted through them again, focusing on the shrubs at one site until she found a couple that were close enough. Bringing them up on the screen, she compared them. The lightning was better on one, but the wind was blowing the center, taller bush, a bit off center.
“Are you hiding in here?” Flynn appeared at the door.
Teri shook her head, refusing to take her eyes off the two pictures in front of her. “Making a decision.”
“If it involves drums, you’re safe. Dev and the girls are home from school but Bryan didn’t come with them. Apparently Brenda misses her boyfriend and demanded some attention.” Flynn leaned in to look at the monitor. “What am I looking at?”
“Lightning and shrubs. I like the shape of this lightning bolt. The way it kind of curves, see?” Teri motioned. “It cradles the shrubs. Almost embracing them.”
“Yeah,” Flynn said. His voice sounded a little husky.
“The other one isn’t bad, I suppose, but this one’s better. The problem is, the bushes in the other one are . . . standing tall,” she pointed.
“Okay.”
Teri refused to glance at Flynn and confirm the smile she heard in his voice.
“Well, this one has better lightning, but the tall bush is leaning.”
Flynn disappeared from the doorway and she heard him laughing in the entry. Irritated, Teri stood up and went to see what was so funny.
“You’re the one who wanted me to —” she started, stamping her foot.
Flynn waved a hand to stop her while he caught his breath. “I know, I know.”
“What’s going on?” Jess appeared on the basement stairs with Dev and Kenny on his heels.
“Nothing,” Teri blushed, refusing to look at them.
“Another time, maybe. Actually, probably not,” Flynn waved them back downstairs and the boys reluctantly left.
Teri glared at him when Flynn finally looked at her. Flynn started laughing again.
“Sorry, love, it’s just knowing what you do, you know, off the record. That you’re having a hard —” Flynn took a deep breath. “Having difficulty with the — the bush — hanging to the left.” Flynn choked back another laugh. “It was just a bit ironic.”
Teri saw his point and felt her cheeks grow warm. “All right. So, is it sufficiently pornographic to suit your requirements for the expedition?”
Flynn nodded, his eyes threatening to water with his suppressed laughter. “I’m good. Even if no one else gets it, I’m good.”
Chapter Six
The flight to New York with Dev went smoother than Flynn expected. So far he spent most of his time with Kenny, with Jess coming a distant second, so he was looking forward to getting to know Teri’s son.
In truth, Flynn was concerned as well. Kenny assured him that Dev was unusually dense about relationships for a fifteen-year-old and seriously doubted he even suspected Flynn had his eye on Teri. Unfortunately that reassurance didn’t quite balance the multiple warnings regarding Dev’s intelligence and unorthodox approach to problem solving.
For the most part, Flynn engaged Dev in light conversation about his interests and didn’t push the conversation when the teenager’s attention wandered back to his laptop. Dev was interested in computers and everything electronic. When he wasn’t talking about computers, he talked about skateboarding and wanted to try surfing when the weather warmed up. He hadn’t quite figured out how to bring it up with Teri, assuming she would take it as unenthusiastically as she did his love for his skateboard. Flynn promised to think about that for him.
Flynn knew Dev only took the modeling job to gain exposure that would eventually help the band, so it surprised him to find Dev really didn’t care about being a rock star. Flynn found it peculiar that a kid a month away from turning sixteen was apathetic to an opportunity so many of his peers dreamed about. He thought about that while Dev concentrated on some program he was writing on his computer. Flynn hoped to hell it wasn’t a virus.
It wasn’t until they landed in New York and were almost to Flynn’s apartment that the pieces fell into place and Flynn saw the sketch lines beneath the masterpiece. As much as Dev fought with his band mates, the exception being Bryan who seemed impossible to provoke, he was never willingly without them. Dev hated the trips to New York, and always asked if Jess or someone could come along. Bryan was in school and his parents didn’t want him spending all his time on a plane. Kenny had classes now too and Jess had his social life.
Dev even argued his trips were always on weekends and wouldn’t interfere with school, but the boys never came with him. Flynn considered it, but had an ulterior motive on this trip that he didn’t want to jeopardize by bringing Kenny or Jess along.
The tr
uth was Dev didn’t think of the boys as band mates, he thought of them as brothers. Dev played along with Kenny’s idea of a band to keep them close. Now that Flynn thought of it, the relationship was so obvious he wanted to laugh at himself for over analyzing it. He even remembered Paul mentioning it and, before that, Teri said much the same thing.
Understanding the band’s dynamic was going to make working with Dev a lot easier. It also reminded Flynn he still didn’t have any significant relationship with Bryan, the stereotypically mellow middle child. Jess landing in his drums didn’t ruffle Bryan, but Flynn’s plans for Teri did.
Tim met them at the studio the next morning to watch the session with Flynn. He quietly arranged for the entire photo-shoot to be taped so he could show it to the psychologist later. Flynn was grateful when the shoot started. Dev was already anxious when they arrived, and his stress visibly increased with each girl they brought onto the set. Flynn watched him with a sinking feeling.
“Tim, we’re not even halfway through and I’m fighting the impulse to pull Dev out of there. Is it always like this?”
“This is normal from his point of view. I’m noticing it more simply because before we’ve never considered this to be part of the problem instead of a solution.”
“Is Oskar here?”
“No, he’s in Paris. I’m going to have lunch with him Tuesday when he gets back. I like your idea of steering the campaign more towards instructional angles on how to cope with the influx of girls. I mentioned it to Dr. Braithewait too. We’ve had her on the payroll as a consultant for a while now and she’s familiar with the campaign.”
“The psychologist you mentioned?”
“Yes. I didn’t want to bring her in case Dev caught on. He wouldn’t appreciate it. She has enough circumstantial evidence that she’s already willing to sign off on the possibility of damage being done. She can’t say for sure, of course, but it’s enough to put a little pressure on to change the course of the ads. If they don’t bite on that, it’ll give Kyle a legal reason to stop the shoots until the situation can be reviewed. I’m confident Oskar will try the different approach idea first.
“Dr. Braithewait said Dev’s stress level will probably be reduced slowly. The situation is the same, it’s really just a method to make him learn and understand some coping methods himself.”
“Of course Oskar might argue we could drag him to see the doctor and have him learn the same thing anyway,” Flynn said.
“But Dev won’t go willingly, and wouldn’t be cooperative if we forced him. Telling him isn’t the same as having him try to demonstrate a technique for the camera. It actually could be even more amusing in the long run for Oskar’s ads.”
“So you think you can sell it,” Flynn confirmed.
“Yes. It doesn’t hurt that Dev is part of a band that you’re working with. Their breakout album is going to be a major win for Oskar.”
“Name drop all you need to. Let him know I’m concerned. I brought you up to date on where we are with their development, didn’t I?”
“Yes, keep me posted. Obviously Oskar only needs to know about the band in general and Dev in particular.”
“I told you Dev always looks like he just stepped out of an Oskar Viktor ad when no one else does, right?”
“I’m counting on that appealing to Oskar. Anything else that might?” Tim asked.
“Other than the girls Jess and Dev attract the rare occasions they do play in public? Dev ignores them when he can. Otherwise they’re playful on stage. If we can keep their antics from interfering with the actual music, they’ll have a popular live show.”
“Glad to hear it. They’re setting up the next scene,” Tim nodded back toward the cameras.
Flynn glanced at Dev, noting he was looking anywhere but at the girls. They’d already changed clothes, and Flynn was amused to note Dev’s shirt reminded him of an old snake-skin belt he wore on tour once.
“You know, it’d be kind of funny to see Dev holding a python in this. Snakes usually turn girls off, so he’d be naturally frustrated when it didn’t work. Give the kid something to focus on that isn’t wearing lipstick and mascara.”
“I’ll mention it to Oskar,” Tim said. “I remember Paul telling me Dev loves snakes. Of course he lives in a house where the girls don’t mind. That reminds me, Paul bought a cabin in Vermont awhile ago. He willed it to Lexi Frost specifically, if you remember.”
“I never really thought about it.”
“It’s cozy and rustic, but I’ve overseen extensive remodeling. The original idea was to have it ready for Teri’s birthday next month. It’s almost ready, but I’m not sure how to tell her.”
“I can see if I can work it into conversation at some point. Does Nicholas know?”
“No more than you did, so you might want to mention it to him. I’ll send you pictures and plans so you can see it. One corner of the property has some old structures that collapsed and we specifically left alone so Teri could hunt for snakes and lizards.”
“She’s gotten rid of everything but the cat,” Flynn said.
“I didn’t know that.”
“I’m not sure what prompted it, they disappeared just before I arrived. I think the cat only stayed because it’s almost impossible to find and catch her.” Flynn turned away from watching Dev. “I can’t watch this. It’s like a train wreck.”
“So how is everyone doing in Seattle?” Tim changed the subject.
Flynn shrugged. “Teri’s coming along. I’ve been dragging them all out of the house regularly for dinner and, lately, field trips. She’s taking pictures again, although she’s not showing them to anyone.”
“I didn’t know she stopped. Is Nicholas an ally?”
“For now. Besides Teri, Dev is the only one not to suspect an ulterior motive for my presence.”
“And when he does?”
“I’d like to have a stable relationship established with the boys first. Teri needs time anyway. I did manage to pull her away for an impromptu shoot of a lightning storm, it was just the two of us. That was a first.”
“How did that go?”
“We talked, openly and honestly. I’m not sure if it was a good thing or not. She’s aware of my marital history and philandering now if she wasn’t before.” Flynn chanced a look back to Dev. “Is this the third set?”
“Yes.”
“Okay, good. Listen, Tim, if you need me to do anything to sweeten the deal with Oskar, let me know,” Flynn offered.
“You mean hop up on the runway or do a spread yourself?”
“Whatever. Let’s just get Dev taken care of.” Flynn turned away again to look at Tim. So far Tim had been watching Dev interact with the photographer and models, but he looked back to Flynn. Flynn couldn’t read the expression on his face and waited as Tim tried to read his.
“You’re really concerned about him,” Tim said finally.
“He’s a good kid. He doesn’t need this kind of stress.”
“And if it doesn’t work out with Teri?”
“I’m pretty sure Dev will still be a good kid. Listen, I’ll take care of them. Teri aside, I’ll get the boys on their feet. I’ll do what I can to give them the best shot of making it and not falling into the traps of living in the fast lane.” Flynn noted Tim’s slight nod of acknowledgment.
“Tim, off the record, you didn’t care for Paul bringing me in, did you?”
“No. I know your background. I thought it might sooth her pain in the short term and cause more in the long run.”
“You told Paul?”
“Naturally.”
“Still have the same opinion?”
“You’re not as bad as I thought. You seem to actually care about her, enough to extend to the kids it seems. You know if it does work out, if Teri does accept you personally instead of just as an advisor to the boys, I’ll always be watching you.”
Flynn nodded, he’d assumed as much already. “You and everyone else,” he sighed.
• • �
�
Kenny sat in the basement trying to piece together a troublesome score. Flynn kept bugging him to write a love song and it sucked. He had Dev’s poems, but the music didn’t fit any of them. Kenny frequently thought of sound in terms of color and this piece felt muddy, yellow kept creeping into the crisp blue lines he wanted. Starting over, he jumped when Alicia appeared beside him in a yellow sundress. More yellow, he sighed.
“Hiya,” Alicia said. “All alone?”
“Yeah. Flynn’s got Dev in New York, everyone else is on a date.”
“Everyone?”
“Well, I assume Teri let you in. Nicholas is trying to get her to watch some documentary to distract her from doing the worried mom routine. You know how she is.” Kenny made a note on the score, put down his pencil and finally actually looked at Alicia.
Alicia rarely wore dresses, but he’d seen the phenomena before. This one was different. It had less material than usual, on the top and bottom and what was left seemed thinner somehow.
“Come here, just in case.” Alicia took his hand and led him to the room he shared with Jess. Kenny leaned against the desk, raising an eyebrow as she closed the door and locked it.
“What’s the emergency?”
“How long have we known each other?” Alicia asked, standing in front of him.
“Uh, since about fourth grade, I think.”
“Second actually.”
“All right, second grade.”
“We’ve been friends. You never beat me up, I never beat you up. We played nice at recess, shared at lunch.”
“I guess,” Kenny shrugged.
“You’re really so obsessed with your music that you’ve put your Y-chromosome on hold haven’t you?”
“What?”
Alicia smiled and stepped up to Kenny. Putting a hand on either side of Kenny’s face, she leaned forward and he froze when he felt Alicia’s lips gently brush his. Leaning closer, her lips pressed against his with more pressure.
Then she stopped. Kenny held his breath as he waited to see what she was going to do next. Alicia kissed him again, soft, gentle and brief.
