Rookie

by JL Paul

  “We’re working toward that,” Rob said. “All the new files are kept electronically but some of this stuff I need hard copies.”

  “I understand.”

  He talked to her for a few minutes, explaining in further detail some of the tasks she’d be doing before standing and pointing at the mess. “I have a little time. Why don’t we start tackling this mess before you go for the day?”

  “No problem,” Sidney said.

  He chatted as they worked, explaining his vision for Ross Records, leaving Sidney to merely nod or give quick answers. He complimented her often when she explained how he should assign a cabinet for certain files and began sorting things to file properly.

  Rob’s cell rang just as he was moving boxes from the coffee table.

  “Hey, Chad,” Rob said. “I’m in my office with the rookie. She’s getting my shit together, if you can believe that.” He chuckled at Chad’s response. “Why don’t you come down and meet her before I set her free for the day?”

  He ended his call, tucked his cell into his back pocket, and grinned. “Chad’s coming down to meet you and then we’ll stop for the day.”

  No sooner had he spoken than the door opened revealing a slim, tall guy with wild blond hair and beautiful green eyes.

  “Hey, you must be the rookie,” he said as he shook her hand.

  “Chad Hunter, meet Sidney…um…” Rob raised a brow at Sidney. “Sorry, my memory is not up to par today.”

  “Roper,” Sidney supplied. “Nice to meet you.”

  “You, too,” Chad said, looking around the office. “Looks like you’ve already made a dent. Wow. Impressive.”

  “Thanks,” Sidney said, fighting a blush.

  “Hey, Rookie, why don’t you call it a day and come back tomorrow, huh?” Rob said. “Make sure Lexie gives you a temporary code so you can get in through the garage.”

  With a nod and a wave, Sidney wandered off to find Lexie. Once she received her code and retrieved her bag, she hurried to the bus stop to catch a bus to her tiny apartment.

  ***

  After a quick TV dinner that evening, Sidney ran water in the tub, adding a hint of bubble bath. She stood in front of the mirror, studying her reflection as the tub filled.

  “Everywhere I look I see blond hair,” she said as she frowned at her light brown hair falling past her shoulders. Her frown deepened as she studied the freckles on her nose. They would become more prominent in the warm LA sun for sure.

  “And long legs,” Sidney sighed. “Long-legged, beautiful blondes.”

  Her short legs did nothing to her short, four-eleven frame. Not to mention her skinny figure.

  “Oh, well,” she said, thinking of gorgeous Lexie with her curvy body, long legs, and shiny blonde hair. “I didn’t come here to win beauty contests or to land a husband.”

  Feeling slightly better, she undressed and slipped into the tub, closing her eyes with a smile as she thought of her new, dream job.

  Two

  The next few weeks flew by for Sidney as she grew more comfortable in her position. Every morning when she woke in her tiny apartment, her heart beat in anticipation as to what the day would bring. Learning the ropes at the studio had boosted her confidence and brought such satisfaction as she’d never known.

  The more she worked with Rob, the more her shyness disappeared. She began to look at him as a ‘normal’ person and less like a celebrity. Of course, his easy going personality helped. He was quick to praise her efforts and gentle when he pointed out mistakes.

  Late one Friday afternoon, as she worked in his office, transferring paper files to electronic on his laptop, Rob popped his head inside the door.

  “Good, you’re still here.”

  Looking up from her work, Sidney grimaced. “Yeah, there’s still quite a bit to convert. It’s going to take a while.”

  “It’s Friday night, Rookie,” Rob said with a grin. “And it’s quitting time. That stuff will be here on Monday.”

  “I know,” Sidney said, setting her work aside. “But I thought you wanted this done as soon as possible?”

  “I do. As soon as possible. But it’s not that urgent,” he said. “Now, come on. We’re hanging out at my place tonight. Chad’s going to slap some burgers on the grill.”

  “Sounds good,” Sidney said as her stomach gave a rumble. “But you forget, I don’t have a car.”

  “So? You can hitch a ride with me,” he said. “You’re running out of excuses.”

  “Fine,” she said, smiling. “I’ll come. Let me get my stuff from my locker.”

  She saved her work on his laptop before shutting it down and leaving his office. He tailed her as she made her way to her locker, a secretive grin on his face.

  “What’s with you today?” she asked as she pushed open the door to the lockers. Her question was immediately answered when she spotted the new piece of tape on her locker bearing not her name, but the word ‘Rookie’ instead.

  “Ha, ha,” she said, turning the lock and opening the door. “Real cute.”

  “I thought so,” Rob said, hands stuffed into the front pockets of his jeans. “I’ve even thought about putting it on your paychecks.”

  Sidney froze in the act of snatching her bag from her locker. “But… I don’t receive paychecks.”

  “Not yet, anyway,” Rob said, grin turning into a huge smile. “Chad and I discussed it and we feel that, beginning next month, you should be put on the payroll.”

  “Really?” Sidney asked, her eyes growing.

  “Yep,” Rob said. “You’ve done an amazing job and we thought that we’d snap you up before one of the other labels woos you away.”

  “Thank you,” Sidney said, throwing her arms around him in a huge hug. He wrapped his arms around her waist in return, making her realize what she’d just done. Sure, they’d become comfortable in each other’s presence but she’d never touched him…

  “I guess we should get going,” she said, pulling away and hiding her flaming face. “You sure you don’t mind giving me a ride?”

  “Not at all,” he said. “You ready to get out of here?”

  “Sure,” she said, her heart singing.

  ***

  Having spent most of her time either at the studio or in her tiny apartment, Sidney suddenly realized how much she’d missed not getting out more. Rob drove them in his SUV through the busy LA streets, allowing her to gaze out her window. The roads were lined with tall, lean palm trees, most yards scruffy from the heat. The city seemed to breathe on its own as its occupants moved about, rushing from here to there.

  The diversity amazed her, as well as the many people. Coming from a small town, she hadn’t been exposed to so many different cultures or people. The beauty amazed her.

  Soon they left the bustle of the city where houses were a little more spread apart, though not nearly as much as they were in her home town.

  “I live on the beach,” Rob announced as he took a turn and rolled down his window.

  “On the ocean?” she asked, trying to contain her excitement.

  “Yep,” he said, a laugh in his voice.

  Her eyes shot out the window once more, eager for her first sight of the ocean. He drove about ten more minutes before she finally saw it, stretching across the horizon like a waving blue flag. Sidney sucked in a breath as she gazed at it, taking it all in as if she’d never see it again.

  “Pretty, huh?” Rob asked, driving slowly through a beach community. The large houses blocked her view, allowing only brief glimpses.

  “It is. Very beautiful,” she said.

  He stopped before a gated driveway, entering a code into the box. The iron gates screeched open, giving her a view of a small, manicured yard complete with two palm trees and several flower beds bursting with colorful blooms. The drive ended in front of a garage connected to a two-story, handsome brick home built into the side of a hill.

  “Nice,” she said as he parked.

  “Thanks,” he said, ripping th
e keys from the ignition. “Lexie and Chad live just down the street a ways.”

  “That’s convenient,” she said.

  “For the most part,” Rob said as he opened his door. “Come on in – I’ll show you around.”

  The flagstone path curved around another, smaller flower bed full of red and white impatiens. She barely had time to admire the grounds as Rob opened the huge, oak doors to reveal a bright foyer. Sidney craned her head to see a crystal chandelier hanging from the tall ceiling that stretched to the second floor. Long windows provided plenty of natural light combined with the white walls.

  “This way,” Rob said, taking her hand and yanking her through an arched doorway into a living room with a monstrous fieldstone fireplace that took up the entire north wall. The carpet was a light shade of beige, the sofa and recliner a mocha color, and an easy chair a deep blue. Framed art prints lined the two walls while the largest television she’d ever seen hung on the only available wall.

  “This is beautiful,” she gasped.

  “Thanks,” he said, tugging on her hand. “This way.”

  They crossed the hall into a formal dining room painted a shade of red that reminded her of faded barns back home. A long table stretched across the room with six chairs on each side and one at each end. More art work – this time depicting old English hunting parties, complete with horses and beagles.

  Sidney trailed her fingers over the smooth table as she wandered toward the window, checking out a view of the side yard. Trimmed azaleas were spread along the stone wall, their pink flowers bright against the foliage.

  “I’ll show you the kitchen.”

  Sidney ripped her gaze from the window in order to follow Rob through two swinging doors into a voluminous kitchen. Cabinets lined two walls above a counter that hugged the wall before sprouting out to form a breakfast bar. An island sat in the center with shimmering copper pots and pans hanging over it and a short, stout woman with graying, cropped hair chopping vegetables.

  “Hey, Mrs. B.,” Rob greeted.

  “Hey, yourself,” the woman said, wiping her hands on a dish towel. “Hello, dear. I’m Mrs. Bulakowski. And you are?”

  “Sidney Roper,” Sidney said, shaking the older woman’s hand.

  “Mrs. B takes care of me,” Rob explained as he stole a carrot stick from the cutting board.

  “And it’s not an easy job,” Mrs. B said with a slight laugh.

  “Aw, now don’t give her the wrong idea,” Rob said, shooting a wink in Sidney’s direction. “You’ll scare the rookie away.”

  “Rookie?” Mrs. B said, brow furrowed. “Oh, she’s your new intern, huh? The one you’ve been talking about.”

  Rob flashed a sheepish grin while Sidney’s cheeks heated. “Yeah, she’s the one getting me organized. So, I take it Lex called you, huh?”

  “Of course,” Mrs. B sighed as resumed her spot at the island. “She warned me that you were cooking on the grill tonight so I thought I’d make a salad.”

  “Always thinking,” Rob said as he took Sidney by the hand again. “I’m taking her out on the deck.”

  He led her to a pair of French doors and stepped onto a wooden, elevated deck that ran along the entire length of the house, overlooking the beach and the ocean.

  “Forgot to show you the rest of the house,” Rob said, pulling her to a set of stairs. “This way.”

  They descended to a patio underneath the deck and at beach level. He opened a sliding glass door and they stepped inside the basement level of his home.

  “This is the rec room,” he said unnecessarily.

  She stood in the middle of the room, taking in the vintage rock décor, the L-shaped bar, pool table, pinball machine and ping pong table. The leather furniture was arranged around another large, mounted flat screen.

  “Through those doors is my own studio,” Rob said, pointing over her shoulders. “I’ll show you.”

  She gasped once the door opened and he flipped on the light. The walls were made of soundproof material. A drum set, piano, and several guitars were set in the middle amongst cords and amplifiers and speakers.

  “This is so cool,” Sidney said.

  “It is so cool,” Rob said with a wink. “The band usually comes over here when we’re working on a new album.”

  “Seems the perfect place,” Sidney said, admiring the equipment.

  “It works.” Rob shoved his hands back into his pockets. “Let’s grab a drink and head outside.”

  He jogged to the bar, ducked underneath, and emerged with two bottles of beer. He handed one to Sidney before walking through the sliders to the patio.

  An hour and a half later, they sat on the top level, munching on burgers with Chad and Lexie while the sun sank below the horizon. Mesmerized by the color and intensity of the rays on the water, Sidney could hardly stop watching the sunset, barely aware of the conversation going on around them.

  “… now that Sidney is here,” Chad was saying. “She’s a huge help.”

  “Yeah, I know,” Rob said. “I just don’t know if the studio is at a stable enough point where we can spend more time on the band.”

  “Sure it is,” Lexie said. “You’ll be working in the studio so you’ll be available if a problem comes up.”

  “What about touring?” Rob asked, causing Sidney to perk.

  “You won’t be touring right away,” Lexie said.

  “Touring?” Sidney asked, trying to catch up with the conversation from the comfortable chair in which she’d settled.

  “Yeah,” Rob said with a slight smirk. “If we put out a new CD, we’ll have to tour eventually to promote it.”

  “Have you started working on a new CD?” Sidney asked.

  Rob lifted a shoulder as he glanced at the darkening sky. “I’ve messed around a little but I don’t have much.”

  Frowning a bit, Sidney scooted to the end of her chair. “It has been awhile since you’ve released anything new.”

  “Yeah,” Rob said, running a hand through his hair. A groove appeared on his forehead, making him look older than his twenty-seven years. He continued to stare at the sky as the expression on his face changed from confused to bewildered to pained.

  “We can get started,” Chad shrugged as he raised his beer to his lips. “We can get some stuff written, see how it goes.”

  “And I can take on more at the studio,” Sidney offered.

  Rob cocked his head in Sidney’s direction, a smile spreading across his face. “I appreciate that, honestly, but I can’t have you out on the road scouting bands.”

  “Why can’t you scout bands while you’re on tour?” Sidney suggested. “You can schedule your tour dates so that you have a day or two between each show, giving you a chance to hit some clubs or something.”

  “That’s an idea,” Chad said as he set his beer on the table beside him. “A damn good idea.”

  “It’s certainly something to think about,” Rob mused. Standing, he crossed the deck to the mini fridge near the grill. Grabbing another round, he distributed the beers to everyone before taking a seat again. “We can work on new music during our down times at the office or else at night. Once we get something worthwhile, we can record it. Lex is right – we’d be in the studio if something came up and maybe by the time we’re ready to hit the road, Sidney will have more experience under her belt.”

  “And we can also get another intern or two if we need it,” Lexie added.

  “So, are you going to do it?” Sidney asked, her heart pausing.

  Rob twisted the cap off his beer, took a sip, and then grinned. “Sure. Why the hell not?”

  “Excellent!” Sidney said, getting to her feet. “Now that that’s settled, I really need to head home.”

  “Hang out,” Rob insisted. “The night is still young.”

  “I know,” Sidney said, wishing she could, but she didn’t approve whatsoever of drinking and driving and she figured if she stayed much longer, one of them would insist on driving her home and they’d
already had a couple of drinks each. “But if I wait too long, it’ll be harder to get a cab.”

  “You can crash here,” Rob offered, walking over to pick up Sidney’s untouched beer. “I’ll take you home in the morning.”

  Frowning, Sidney contemplated his offer.

  “If you’re not comfortable here,” Lexie said flashing a dark look in Rob’s direction, “you can stay at our place. It’s just a short walk.”

  “No, I…,” Sidney stammered. “It’s not that I’d be uncomfortable – I just don’t want to put anyone out.”

  “You’re not, Rookie,” Rob said, twisting the cap off her unopened beer and thrusting it into her hand. “I have plenty of space. I have a guest room. It’s not a big deal.”

  She didn’t really want to leave as she’d been having a nice time. Since moving to LA, she’d rarely left her apartment except for work or trips to the store.

  “Fine,” she sighed, taking a sip of beer.

  With a wink, Rob returned to his seat. “Just don’t snore, huh? I’d hate for you to rattle the windows.”

  Sidney rolled her eyes.

  ***

  Sidney rose early, the sun barely penetrating the slats in the blinds covering the window, and rubbed her eyes. Her bleary mind took several moments figuring out exactly where she was. Memories of a brief, dark time rushed to the forefront of her brain, playing back that first morning when she woke to find herself under the tiny wooden bridge in the park.

  “Those days are over,” she mumbled as she yawned and sat up, pushing hair away from her eyes. She’d gotten through that time nearly unscathed and had made something of herself.

  She climbed out of bed; the t-shirt Rob had given her falling below her knees. Cautiously, she opened the bedroom door, peeked down the hall, and scampered to the bathroom. Once she finished, she dashed back to the guest room to throw on her clothes from the previous day, hoping Rob wouldn’t sleep long and could take her home so she could shower.