Under the Spotlight

by Angie Stanton

  “But Mom, we don’t want to leave you alone,” Peter said.

  She smiled that gentle, loving smile that made her so wonderful. “I’ll be fine. I promise you. It would break my heart to see you boys wasting away here. You are so full of life and energy. Plus, I have a lot of work ahead of me. I want to spend more time with your grandmother, and then I need to figure out how to move on with my life, too.”

  “Dad would want us to be with you,” Garrett added.

  “No, your father would tell you to get on with living your lives. There have been a lot of changes the past six months, starting with the breakup of the band. You are all still very much in a place of transition. Honor your father by continuing to be the strong, successful young men he raised.”

  Garrett couldn’t imagine abandoning his mom now, and from the expressions of Peter and Adam, they felt the same.

  “I’ve never been more proud of you boys than during this past week. And you’re always welcome to be at home here or in Boston, as long as you like. But I know you. In three days, you’ll be clawing to get away and do something. Think about it.” She stood with her iced tea and went inside.

  “She doesn’t really mean it, does she?” Peter asked.

  “Pretty sure she does,” Garrett answered. His mother could be far more stubborn than their dad had been.

  “So we’re supposed to just leave? I don’t want to,” Adam said.

  “I think Mom is worried that we’ll move into the basement and never leave.”

  “We don’t have a basement,” Adam said.

  “You know what I mean,” Garrett said.

  “But that’s exactly what I want to do,” Peter said. “Mom shouldn’t be alone.”

  Adam nodded his agreement.

  “Let’s give her a day or so. She’ll come around,” Garrett said.

  But the next day, their mother held strong to her convictions that they keep busy. She had them going through old boxes of memorabilia that had been stacked in the garage for years.

  “Remember when we went on our first tour in that old van?” Peter said.

  “We were packed in so tight. Dad took a picture so he’d remember exactly how to get it all back in after each stop.” Garrett laughed at the memory.

  “I spent three thousand miles with a duffle bag on my lap,” Adam said.

  “It feels so long ago. Can you believe how fast things changed?” Garrett said, lifting out a photo album.

  “I know. From school auditoriums to Madison Square Garden. It’s insane,” Adam reminisced.

  “Hard to believe it’s all over,” Garrett said, mourning the band, as well as his dad and Riley.

  “It’s not over forever. Just for now,” Peter said.

  Garrett couldn’t believe his ears. “I thought you were finished with the band.”

  “For now I am. The grind was too much. I fried my voice and had to have surgery, but down the road, who knows?” Peter opened a photo album and laughed. “Adam, you look like a baby with those big eyes and round cheeks.”

  Garrett took a look. “His guitar is practically bigger than he is.”

  “I can’t believe Mom saved all this stuff.” Peter paged through the photos.

  “Garrett, remember when Mom highlighted your hair so you could spike it?” Adam laughed.

  “Yeah, it was my inner punk rocker crying to get out. Look at the one of Peter with a buzz cut.”

  Peter leaned over to see. “I forgot about that. I fell asleep with gum in my mouth and it got matted in my hair. Dad took out Grandpa’s old hair trimmer and buzzed it all off. Thank God Libby isn’t here to see this picture. She’d never let me forget it.”

  “I think I’ll frame it and give it to her for Christmas,” Adam said.

  Garrett wished he had someone special to share his stories with. He hadn’t heard from Riley since their walk the other night, but he hadn’t called her either.

  “Garrett, what’s up with that girl who came to the funeral?” Peter asked, as if reading his mind.

  “Yeah, she seems way too nice to be hanging around with you,” Adam added.

  Garrett frowned because Adam was basically right. “Things are pretty much nonexistent ever since the House of Blues gig. The night turned into the perfect storm—if something could go wrong, it did.”

  “Technical problems?” Adam asked, unfolding a lawn chair to sit on.

  “I wish. We’d started seeing each other.”

  “I knew it,” Peter said with a knowing smile.

  “Things were going really well, but then Dad showed up and found out.” And that guilty feeling squeezed his heart again.

  “I bet he had a coronary over it,” Adam said.

  Peter frowned.

  “Sorry. You know what I mean. Dad was never much into letting girls interfere with the band.”

  That was an understatement. Whenever there was a decision between one of them spending time with a girl or working, their dad was adamant that girls could wait. Garrett had always agreed, until he met Riley.

  “Dad told me straight out to end it, so I did. Now I hate myself.”

  “Dad was great, but if I had let him have his way, I wouldn’t be with Libby,” Peter said.

  “And Dad never would have let me go to LA to see Marti. I don’t want to think how that would have turned out if I hadn’t,” Adam said.

  “That’s right,” Peter agreed. “Just because Dad’s gone, it doesn’t mean he was right or that you should do everything he said.”

  “I don’t know. There’s a lot more to it. Riley was sick and then she was pissed at me for springing a bunch of stuff on her out of the blue.”

  “Ah, that sounds more like the Garrett we know and love,” Peter said.

  “Well, she’s pretty much had enough of me. She did the gig, but then chewed me out, said she quit, and stormed out.” He’d replayed that scene over and over in his mind the past few days, wishing he could have a do-over.

  “Can you blame her?” Adam said. “You can be a real douche bag.”

  “I guess not. I only meant to do what was best for her career.” Yet if someone had pulled that on him, he’d have gone ballistic.

  “Where have we heard those words before?” Adam snickered.

  “It’s over, and I can’t blame her.” He thought about all the ways he’d manipulated her. He deserved what he got.

  “But she flew halfway across the country to attend the funeral,” Peter said.

  “She did,” Garrett agreed, thankful he had one last hour with her that night.

  “She wouldn’t have come if she hated you,” Peter said.

  Garrett nodded. She had gone to a lot of trouble to come to the funeral and see him for only a few minutes.

  “Did she change her mind about recording?”

  “No. I released her from the contract.”

  Peter looked up from the photo album he held. “Seriously?”

  “I couldn’t push the issue and force her to finish out the contract after everything that happened.”

  “I’m speechless. Who are you?” Adam said.

  “She’s really amazing. I wish you guys could have heard her sing live, but I don’t want her hating me the rest of her life. She’s the best person I’ve ever met. I mean, she calls me on my shit. She doesn’t back down. She’s tough as nails.”

  “Sounds like Riley got under your skin,” Peter said.

  “Honestly, I can’t stop thinking about her. In the past I never cared if I ticked people off, but with Riley, it’s different. It’s like she’s my moral compass.”

  “Garrett has a conscience, somebody call the press,” Adam said.

  “And speaking of conscience,” Garrett said, looking from one brother to the other, “I want to apologize to you, too. I was terrible to you a lot over band stuff and girl stuff. I was jealous of your happiness. I’m sorry, and I give you my word, I won’t ever do it again.”

  “Geez, this girl really got to you.” Peter laughed.


  “You’ve got it bad,” Adam said.

  “No. It’s not like that,” Garrett defended. He just wanted to set things right with his brothers.

  “Oh yeah, you’ve never cared what a girl thought before. You are toast, man.” Adam laughed.

  Except that he had no reason to see her again.

  56

  Riley nestled back into her world of Christmas carols as Jamie Halloway’s album neared the finish line. Riley would miss the comfort the holiday decorations had brought her during this tumultuous time.

  Perspiration glistened on Jamie’s brow as she belted “O Come All Ye Faithful.” A part of Riley still yearned to feel that rush of power that singing her heart out always gave her.

  It had been three days since she returned from the funeral, with no word from Garrett. She missed him, and that surprised her. She even missed the bossy side of him. Since he’d been gone, work wasn’t the same.

  Riley noticed Tara at the door holding a pink message slip up to the window. She was unable to enter the room during live recording. Riley came over to see Tara’s scribbled message.

  Barry wants to see you in his office.

  Tara’s expression gave nothing away. Had Riley screwed up? She didn’t think so. She nodded to Tara that she’d be right there. As soon as Jamie finished the chorus they were working on, Riley slipped out.

  As she rounded the corner to Barry’s office, she heard a familiar voice. A moment later her suspicions were confirmed when she laid eyes on Jason Edgette.

  “Jason!” she exclaimed.

  “Riley, look at you!” He opened his arms and gave her a big hug. “You’ve grown up! How long since I last saw you?”

  “I think it was a year ago Christmas. What are you doing here?” she asked, amazed to see him.

  “I have some business in Chicago and thought I’d swing by while my wife is shopping to see how you’re doing.”

  “I’m good. Tell her hi.” Riley had met Jason’s model wife a couple times during the reality show. She was terrific.

  “Glad to hear it. I understand a lot has been going on with you.”

  She shrugged.

  “Why don’t we all sit down,” Barry suggested, and closed the office door.

  “I heard you were in Europe on tour,” Riley said to change the subject as she sat on the small sofa.

  Jason sat on the other side. “I was, but it’s good to be back in the States. We’re taking a month off and then the U.S. tour kicks off in Boston.”

  “That’s great, and your new album has been doing really well,” she said.

  “Thanks, but I’m not here to talk about myself. Catch me up. I was happy to hear you were recording an album with Garrett Jamieson, but now Barry tells me you’re not. What’s going on?”

  She sighed. So much had happened so quickly. “Yes, I was. Basically I agreed to record with him, but things got complicated. His dad died, and we both agreed to void the contract.” She couldn’t muster the courage to say she quit on him, and that Garrett let her.

  “I see.” Jason exchanged a look with Barry. “And now you’re back working your regular job.”

  “That’s right.”

  Barry took a seat in the armchair. “You know, Riley. I’ve been thinking about the album you started but haven’t finished. It’s a real shame to leave it that way. How would you feel if I said there was a chance you could still finish it?”

  “Seriously?”

  “Anything’s possible,” he said.

  She never thought finishing her album was an option. She’d been so angry at Garrett that night at House of Blues that she didn’t take a moment to let the euphoria of performing again sink in. She had loved every second of being on that stage.

  “Are you interested?” Barry asked.

  Jason watched intently.

  “Um, yeah. I think I would be,” she said, and a pulse of excitement rushed in her veins. Maybe things would turn out after all.

  She noticed the small curve of a smile on Jason’s face.

  “Good,” Barry said. “Now, in a perfect world, if you were able to finish this album, what would you want?”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “Barry and I have been talking about your future. To be totally honest, Riley, I always hoped you’d sing again. That’s the reason I asked Barry to give you a job. I wanted you to remember what you were missing.”

  “Oh.”

  “And now that you’ve found your voice again, I want to make sure you get a chance to finish what you started. So, let me ask again. If you were able to finish your album, and do it any way you wanted, what would you want?” Jason asked.

  Her mind was a jumble. She couldn’t believe Jason had been hoping all this time that she’d sing. And how cool. Suddenly, she knew exactly what she wanted.

  “I’d want Garrett back here. He started this whole thing, he should finish it.”

  Jason smiled.

  “Okay. What else?” Barry asked. “You’ve been working here for a while now. Anything you’d do differently or change?”

  “I’d want Garrett to play guitar on the album. And you know what else? I know this is pushing my luck, but I’d love it if his brothers would help with it, too. I think it would mean a lot to Garrett to have their support on the first album he produces. Plus, they were an awesome band, and having them play backup would be a total dream come true.”

  “That would be quite the star-studded studio band,” Jason said.

  “You said dream. There you are.” She laughed. Then another thing popped into her head. “Oh, and one more thing. Jason, about five years ago you made a prediction about me on the day we met. Do you remember?”

  “I do,” Jason said with a knowing smile.

  Riley grinned. “I want that prediction to come true.”

  “Are you sure you’re ready?” Jason asked.

  “I am. It took me a long time to get to this place, but I really believe now is the right time.”

  “That is so great to hear,” Jason said.

  “Looks like I have a few phone calls to make.” Barry rose from his chair and went to his desk.

  “Are you really going to call Garrett?” A mixture of panic washed over her. “I don’t know if he’ll want to work with me anymore. He seemed pretty adamant about ending it.”

  “Then I’ll create a situation he can’t say no to,” Barry said, undeterred.

  “Okay, but don’t tell him that I want his brothers, too. If they agree to this, which I know is unlikely, I’d like to surprise Garrett.” She hoped her surprise would be a welcome one, unlike the ones he’d sprung on her.

  “I can do that.” Barry picked up his phone.

  “Riley, if you’d excuse us, Barry and I have some work to do,” Jason said. “We’ll let you know how it goes.”

  “Okay.” She went to the door. Ten minutes ago, her recording career was over, but now the future held so much promise.

  “Don’t worry, Barry can be very persuasive,” Jason said.

  “Thank you.” She smiled as hope renewed in her heart.

  On her way out, she overheard Barry.

  “Garrett, Barry Goldwin here. I have a new up-and-coming artist I’d like you to meet. How soon can you get to Chicago?”

  57

  Garrett walked down the corridor to Studio B. He was back, still chasing the dream. Only it wasn’t the dream he’d hoped it would be. Instead of recording with Riley, he would be working with a new artist that Barry had found.

  Barry said the artist was young and hungry to make it in the recording industry. That was the kind of artist Garrett needed. While Riley had the pipes, she didn’t have the heart or the drive.

  But which studio was she working in today? Was she wearing her holiday sweater and listening to Jamie Halloway crooning Christmas carols? Did Riley even know he was back?

  Thoughts of Riley had been his one solace as he moved through the days after his dad’s death. The sight of her determined smile and flowin
g hair as she charmed everyone around her flashed across his mind. Maybe he could request she work with him on this new project. She’d been dying to work at the board. He could finally give her something she really wanted.

  He sighed and opened the door to the control room to meet his new artist. But what he found inside was the last thing he expected. Peter and Adam sat at the control board.

  “What are you guys doing here?” he asked.

  “Barry called and said he had a special project he wanted us to work on. The guy has done so much for us that we figured we should return the favor,” Peter said, smirking.

  Garrett noticed their guitar cases propped in the corner. “What are you talking about?” None of this made sense.

  “Plus, Mom said we were driving her nuts. I think she was thankful to get rid of us for a while,” Adam said, spinning his chair like a little kid.

  “Barry called you?” he asked.

  “That’s what I said,” Peter answered.

  “And what exactly are you going to do?”

  Peter grinned. “Play backup.”

  “On what planet would you ever be willing to play backup on some unknown artist’s album?”

  “Hopefully she won’t be unknown forever,” a sassy feminine voice said behind him.

  His heart lurched. He spun around.

  “Hey, Garrett,” Riley said nonchalantly. “You ready to get to work? We’re way behind if we’re going to finish this album.”

  He turned to his brothers. “You agreed to play on her album?”

  “Yup. Riley told us she only wanted the best, and frankly, Garrett, you can’t handle it by yourself,” Adam said.

  “I’m a producer now. I don’t play backup,” Garrett said.

  Riley stepped between Peter and Adam. The guys stood and the three faced Garrett as an impenetrable wall. “You will on my album.”

  “Riley, we’ve been through this. You don’t need to record this album.”

  “I know, and I appreciate it. But I changed my mind.” Riley smiled, a defiant glint in her eyes.

  She looked so beautiful, he wanted to steal her away from his brothers.

  “Riley, I can’t—”

  “You can’t mix business and personal. Yada, yada, yada. Guys, would you mind if I had a word alone with Garrett?”