by V. Vaughn
I clear my throat as I untangle myself from the cloud-like comforter on the bed. “Of course. Hi, Aleck. You must be the band manager.”
“Yes. Adrian said you’d like to make us an offer.”
I don’t know why he’s unraveling me like a badly knit sweater, but dishes crash as I trip over the room service tray. I grunt in pain, and he asks, “Is everything okay?”
“Yeah, sorry.” I hop over to the couch as my toe throbs in discomfort. “Link Murphy would like to meet with you in Boston Wednesday afternoon.” Often the bands we court are flat broke, and I avoid any awkwardness by making things as easy as I can for them. “I’m prepared to reimburse you for the gas to get here.”
“Oh. Thanks. That would be great.”
I tell him where to meet, and he says he’ll be coming with Adrian. When I hang up I discover I’m grinning, and I think it’s from more than nabbing Second Sound.
3
I work like a dog to get things done over the next two days as I prepare myself to be cool and professional about breaking up with Link. He’s due to arrive any minute, and the plush carpet of the hotel room is soft on my bare feet as I pace nervously from one end of the room to the other. While I think Link’s going to be relieved I’m ending our relationship without drama, I’m not so sure he won’t think us working together might be too awkward. I have a proposition for him that I think should work.
The plastic of a key card rattles before the door clicks open. Link pushes his way in and offers me an apologetic smile. “Noel.” He comes toward me, and when he leans down for a kiss I turn my face so that it lands on my cheek. He says, “You’re mad.”
Gazing into Link’s eyes that are teal blue thanks to contacts, I wonder if our relationship is just as fake. “I’m not mad. But we do need to talk.” I walk over to the couch and tuck a leg under me as I sit. Link removes his suit coat and plucks at the fabric on his thighs as he lowers himself slowly. He reminds me of a little boy that got caught with his hand in a cookie jar. I say, “I’m not in love with you anymore, and I think it’s best if we break up.”
Now Link’s face relaxes, and he appears to be relieved as he reaches out a hand for mine. “Noel--”
I don’t take it but move a bit closer in spite of myself as I say, “I really don’t want to get into the specifics of what’s happened in the last few weeks. Let’s just end as friends, okay?”
He blinks as if he’s bracing for an attack. I think guilt is making my calm demeanor hard to believe. He says, “I’m sorry if I’ve hurt you.”
“I’m fine,” I say a little too quickly, and an awkward silence follows before I finally add, “I have a request. I want you to give me Second Sound as a client.”
“You want Second Sound.” Link frowns.
“Yes. I love being a talent scout, and I’m happy to continue when I have time, but I think it would be best if I worked in an environment that is separate from you.” I stand and throw my shoulders back as I say, “I think I’ve proved I can more than handle a client.”
Link nods, and I want to snort because I guess he believes he just got off easy. From where I sit, he did. He says, “I think you can too.”
Now I smile. “Good, because I want a cut of what they make. You always say there’s nothing more motivating than money. And you know how I love money.”
Link’s eyes widen in surprise, but he’s not one to blurt out a reaction when it comes to negotiations, and he takes a moment to consider my proposition. “I’ve taught you well, bab-- Noel. I’ll talk to the lawyers, and we’ll work out a deal.” He pauses to frown at me. “I really am sorry if I hurt you.”
I take in Link’s spray tan and hair he won’t let anyone touch, and a vision of Aleck in a T-shirt and jeans flashes in my mind. I wonder if I was attracted to Link the agent, and what he could do for me, because I’m not sure I ever saw anything else. Maybe I was the one that was using him. It makes me a little sad. “You didn’t hurt me, Link. You gave me my break in the music industry, and I don’t regret anything. Thank you.”
He shakes his head as he smiles and reaches for my hand. I let him take it. “You’re welcome. I knew from the first day I met you, you’d go far.” He glances at my open laptop and says, “Now brief me on this boy band you’re so enamored with and tell me why we should make them stars.”
* * *
There’s a reason guys like Link Murphy are so successful. It might be something they’re born with, because the ability to make anyone like you in an instant is scary. Link charmed the hotel staff into upgrading us to the Presidential suite for our meeting. I’m grateful, because it comes with two bedrooms and neither of us will have to sleep on the couch tonight.
A stack of papers taps on the glass table as I straighten them before setting the standard contract at Aleck’s seat. I received a text from him that he and his brother Adrian are in the city, and I’ll go downstairs to meet them in a minute. I glance around the room to see we have a beverage selection as well as fruit and cheese set out. The view for Aleck and Adrian at the meeting table will be of the Boston Harbor, and I hope it makes stars shine in their eyes as they imagine staying in hotel rooms like this as Second Sound tours the country. Strangely, I couldn’t dig up anything on the Lindquist brothers from more than a few months ago, but judging by their current living situations, I don’t think they have a lot of money.
Link is in his bathroom striving for perfection when I call out that I’m going down to the lobby to meet the guys. When I get there I wring my hands like a nervous sixteen-year-old waiting for her first date. I hope I don’t make a fool of myself when I see Aleck again. I spy the impossibly tall men before they see me. Adrian looks cool as a cucumber, while Aleck’s hair is standing on end. I bet he’d let a girl run her fingers through it. I approach them with a smile. “You made it. How was traffic?” I thrust my hand out toward Aleck. “Noel Keating.” When he grips my fingers, the air is sucked out of my lungs as his touch sears my skin. He doesn’t speak as he stares at me, and for some reason I can’t seem to break our gaze.
Adrian says, “We had a little trouble getting here. Boston drivers are insane.”
I blink and tear myself away from Aleck to reply, “They are. But once you get assertive, you realize the one with the bigger nerve wins. There are very few accidents considering.”
Adrian says, “I’ll remember that, because I’m driving home. I think Aleck is scarred for life.”
I chuckle as I lead them to the elevators. “So you guys grew up in a small town. Where?”
Aleck finally speaks, and his voice is sweet music to my ears as he says, “Way up north. So we’re meeting Link, right?”
I frown as I wonder why he’s trying to avoid the subject of where they are from. I hope he doesn’t have a dark secret, because once Second Sound is famous, it’s bound to come out. I recover quickly as the elevator doors swish shut. “Yes, Link is waiting in the suite for you.” I smile at the two guys and pretend I’m confiding in them. “Be prepared to be charmed. I trust you know who we are now.”
Adrian tips his head at me as the elevator stops. “We do.” The doors open to reveal the impressive suite, and he adds, “Lead the way.”
Link steps toward the guys and shakes their hands as introductions are made before walking them over to the window. He says, “Gentlemen, take a good look. See that big world out there? You’re about to hold it in the palm of your hand.”
I try not to roll my eyes since I’ve heard Link say the exact same thing to every other band he hopes to sign, and I ask the guys what I can get them to drink. We sit, and Link dazzles them with facts and figures of our current clients as he explains why they need an agent. He also makes promises about what we’ll do to keep Second Sound from the evil clutches of unscrupulous people in the industry. While it’s definitely a smoke-and-mirrors show because there are no guarantees for success, he’s genuine about keeping the band safe from scam artists. Link Murphy may not make the best boyfriend, but he is one
of the good guys in Hollywood.
As usual, when Link is done with his presentation he pulls out his phone and pretends he has an urgent call. When he leaves us alone, it’s my job to field the questions as if I’m their friend. The tactic works well for making sure we address even the slightest concerns. Diet cola fizzes on my tongue when I take a sip, and Adrian says, “You were right. He’s good, because I’m ready to sign now.”
I say, “Don’t. It’s important you take the contract to the band and have a lawyer read everything over. Like Link told you, I’m about to become your mother and be the one person that cares about what happens to you.” I glance at Aleck. “There’s nothing about your life I’ll refuse to be involved in.” My heart skips a beat because I want my relationship with Aleck to go beyond professional, and the smoldering look he’s giving me makes me guess he might be thinking the same thing. I add, “Nothing.”
Aleck breaks our gaze to get up and walk over to the window as Adrian begins with questions. Link returns, with room service following him as they wheel in a fabulous spread with enough food to feed ten. Link says, “Dig in, guys, and don’t be shy.” Metal covers clash as the waiters remove them, and I watch the brothers’ eyes light up at the sight of steaks. I thought they might be meat-and-potatoes guys, and Link winks at me in thanks.
As Aleck and Adrian eat I think about how well Link and I work together. Even though we just broke up this morning, our presentation was flawless, and only an unforeseen circumstance could possibly keep us from closing this deal. While my ego is definitely bruised over what happened, and sadness is heavy on my heart, I think it’s for the best. I glance at Aleck and wonder if maybe what happened with Link and me was destined so I could let Aleck into my life. My mother believed in fate, and as I gaze at Aleck I wonder if she was right.
Silverware clashes as the guys eat, and I imagine what I’m going to find out about the Lindquist brothers over the next few weeks. My pulse quickens at the possibilities, and when Aleck glances up to meet my gaze, my heart wants to burst from my chest. He smiles at me, and a flush burns my cheeks. I turn away before my huge grin reveals my crush.
The brothers manage to consume most of the feast, and I make a mental note about how much they can eat as I pack up the leftovers for them to take home. When the elevator door swishes shut behind them I’m not surprised by the pop of a champagne cork and turn to Link as he says, “We’ve got them.”
I can’t help but return his smile as I say, “I believe we do.”
The glass he hands me is cool in my hand as I lift it up to meet his toast. He says, “To the next chapter in your life, Noel. You’ve done nothing but impress me, and Second Sound is going to flourish in your care.”
I smile at the man who’s given me a start in a career that’s impossible to break into on your own. All I can think about is the road to fame and fortune I’m about to travel. “Thank you, Link.” Our glasses clink, and I take a sip of obnoxiously expensive champagne. The flavor is smooth as the bubbles dance on my tongue. I walk over to the window and gaze over the harbor as lights twinkle in the twilight like the dollar signs in my eyes.
4
The band signed the contract, and they’ll be here any minute to start recording. It’s been a week since I saw Aleck at our meeting, and I still can’t get him out of my mind. I stand up from my desk and tug my tight skirt down. My palms are damp with sweat from nerves, and I take deep breaths to calm myself. I need to exude confidence, not the giddiness of a starstruck teenager. I glance at Link’s office as I make my way to the elevator, and keys on his laptop click as he types. Link has been out of town since the night we met with Aleck and Adrian, and flew in late yesterday to be here for the demo. When I saw him first thing this morning it wasn’t as awkward as I feared. We’ve always done a good job of putting on a professional front at work, so I suppose I should have expected it.
When I exit the elevator, I walk through our gold-and-red lobby toward the doors. Sunlight shimmers off the crystal chandeliers and metallic-flecked granite walls. Our entrance is spectacular and a wonderful way to welcome a new band to the life they’re entering. A black limo pulls up, and I watch Second Sound’s band members get out. They’re gazing around like fish out of water, and when they enter the lobby I get the reaction I expect as jaws drop and eyes widen. One of the girls says, “Wow,” but I don’t notice which one, because my eyes are locked on Aleck. I’m not sure how he did it, but he’s sexier than the last time I saw him, and when he gazes back it’s as if I’m naked as I tremble in reaction to the heat I feel.
I smile at the band and say, “Good morning. I hope you’re all well rested and ready for a long day. Follow me.”
I take them up to the recording studio and let the producer take over. I’ll be on hand to be the go-to girl for anything anyone needs, often before they know they need it. The first part of the morning goes well, and I manage to keep myself busy enough that I don’t get caught drooling over Aleck. When he calls for a break I watch him walk toward the back staircase. I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t figure out what he’s up to, so I peer out the window until I see him exit into the parking lot. He reaches in his pocket to pull something out, and what it looks like makes me see red. He’s a stoner!
My heels’ loud clacks echo off the concrete stairwell as I race down to let him know that is unacceptable. This is going to be the band that every mother loves, and he’s not going to ruin it. The push bar clunks loudly as I shove my way outside and see Aleck’s startled gaze. He’s got what looks like beef jerky in his hand, and he chews as my anger fades. I cover up my panic as best I can. “Is that beef jerky?”
“Bison.” He holds it out toward me. “Want a bite?”
“Ah... sure.” I bite into the meat and have to yank at the leather texture to cut through. I might as well be eating straight salt, but something about the underlying flavor is delicious, although it sure isn’t easy to chew. I grimace as I gnaw the rubbery stuff. Some things in life are better left unknown, and I could have managed living without this experience.
Aleck chuckles. “I didn’t think you’d be a jerky girl. Have you ever had it before?”
I shake my head as I wonder if I could get away with spitting it out. I swallow the lump down and say, “No, there’s got to be a better way to eat bison.”
“There is. But you don’t always have the option of getting it fresh.”
“You probably could around here.” I’d bet big money there’s a bison burger food truck somewhere in this town, and I’m going to find it for him. “Where are you from that lets you eat fresh bison?”
“Up north in the land of nowhere. Where are you from?”
Again he manages to avoid my question, but I don’t press and say, “I grew up in northern Maine.”
“I’m surprised your parents never gave you jerky. I thought it was a staple for that area.” His eyes twinkle as he teases me.
I grin and say, “My mother’s a snob.”
“And she browbeat the hick out of your dad.”
I smile but don’t answer, because I never knew my dad. I think about the odd dreams I used to have when I was a little girl. They were about a man I believed was my father. He would come to me as a bear and hold me close to tell me he loved me. When I told my mother she said it was just a dream, but at the time I didn’t believe her. It was so real. Aleck breaks me from my thoughts when he touches my arm to say, “Hey, I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. My father left me when I was a little girl.” I shake my head and say, “No, that’s not true. I don’t think he ever lived with us, but I do have a vague memory of him.”
I gaze up at him as the door creaks open and Link walks out. He glances at Aleck touching me and back to me as he speaks in a stern tone. “Noel. I need to see you for a minute.”
“Sure.” I step toward him, and he puts his arms around my shoulders as if we’re still dating. Is he jealous? As soon as the door slams shut I pull away and frown at him. Anger s
pikes my blood to the boiling point.
He scowls at me. “You’re not getting involved with a band member, are you?”
The nerve of him asking me that. I have so much I’d like to spit back at Link, but I hold my tongue and force my words to be calm. “Please. I know better than that. I was getting him to open up a little.”
“Okay. Good.” His leather shoes tap lightly down the hall as we approach the elevator. “You know I’m only looking out for you. You’re still so green in many ways, and as your boss I feel the need to protect you.”
Right. Do as I say and not as I do, Link? I shake off my snark and smile sweetly at him as we step into the elevator. “I know, and I appreciate it. Thanks.”
“If he gives you any trouble--”
“I can handle it, Link.” The elevator button is warm when I push it, and I change the subject to ask, “They’re good, aren’t they?”
Link winks at me. “Baby, they’re the best.”
There’s a sexual tone to his voice, and I recall how it used to make my heart flip. Right now, though, it’s almost sleazy as I imagine him saying the same thing to Sheila.
After we step off the elevator we walk down the hall, and the door to the stairs opens as Aleck walks in to meet us at the recording studio. I wait to catch his eye, but he ignores me as he brushes by to go talk to Adrian. I wonder if he took Link’s gesture to mean back off, or if maybe our conversation made him decide he’s not into me.
“Noel?” I turn to Link, and he says, “Could you get us another round of coffees?”
“Sure.” I take everyone’s order, and when it’s Aleck’s turn, the sadness I think I see in his eyes makes me want to tell him that Link and I aren’t a thing. But Link’s right, I shouldn’t get involved with a member of the band I represent. As I walk toward the kitchen, I gaze at the way artificial light bounces off the mica in the walls and notice it’s not nearly as beautiful as sunlight. I need to let go of my crush on Aleck and keep my eye on the prize, because if I do, I’ll be able to afford glittering gemstones any time I want.
