“You hate it,” Kenzie surmised, and he wondered how much his expression gave away. He’d never been accused of having a poker face.
“I don’t hate it,” he corrected. “I don’t love it, but I don’t hate it, either.” Chase frowned. “Did you write it yourself?”
“No. The song was selected for me because my manager thought it would be a hit. And it was. It was a huge hit.”
Great. Now he’d put her on the defensive, which wasn’t the intent. “I don’t doubt it. It’s a fun song to listen to, and probably dance to. It’s just not my thing,” Chase said with a shrug. “Do you have something else? Something you wrote, preferably?”
After a second, Kenzie nodded. “Sure. I’ll play my newest single for you. I wrote this one.”
“Great.” Chase leaned back against the wall to listen, and right away he could tell this was a completely different song.
You built me up, then tore me down.
You tore me down, but you couldn’t break me.
Now I’m breaking free and I’m takin’ it back.
I’m taking my life back.
You don’t own my heart and you don’t own me.
I’m takin’ it back.
The lyrics were raw, emotional, the kind of thing Chase might have written himself. Everything about the first song was commercialized, and exactly what Chase didn’t like about music. And everything about the second one was... real. The words were heartfelt, and Kenzie didn’t hit a wrong note as she sang them. Maybe it was because his own reputation was for being brooding and melancholy, but Chase connected with the song.
He also couldn’t help but wonder what Kenzie might have been going through when she wrote it. Was it autobiographical? Not all songs were, so he didn’t want to make an assumption, but Chase was curious, nonetheless. He’d tread softly with that issue, though.
“Wow,” he said. “That’s what I wanted to hear.”
“You mean you like it?”
“I love it. It’s so raw, so real.” He studied her. “What was the motivation behind it?”
“Just something I was dealing with at the time.” Kenzie shrugged. “Nothing important. I’m just glad someone likes the song.”
Chase frowned. “Does that surprise you?”
“A little, yeah.” Kenzie went over and shut the speaker off. “Not a lot of people do, it seems.”
“It’s not a hit?”
She shook her head. “Not so far, no.”
Chase didn’t quite get it. He loved the song, and connected to it so much more than with the other, but then again, some of the best songs he thought he’d written hadn’t been his biggest hits, either. “Their loss, then. I guess there’s no accounting for some people’s taste. Or lack thereof.”
“I guess.” Kenzie smiled, but it wasn’t what he’d call a happy one, and Chase decided it was time to change the subject.
“Why don’t I play you one of mine, now, and you can tell me what you think.”
***
“That’s a great idea,” Kenzie said. Anything to get off the subject of the song she’d poured her heart and soul into, only to find out that everyone hated it. Well, not everyone. Chase liked it, at least. “What’s your biggest hit?”
“Highway of Heartbreak,” Chase said. “Our first single. The one that made our debut album go platinum.”
“I think I’ve heard that one.”
“Probably. It’s almost as overplayed as Nickelback.”
Kenzie arched a brow. “You make it sound like that’s a bad thing.” She didn’t get it. She’d love to have a big hit, even if it was criticized as being overplayed.
“Not bad.” Chase shook his head. “Don’t get me wrong. I’m grateful for the support. That song put us on the map and made us a lot of money. I’m proud of the success. It’s just not the song that means the most to me.”
“So you didn’t write it yourself?”
“I did write it,” Chase said. “Well, me and my band mate, Jordy, did. Like I said, I don’t have any issues with the song. If it were up to me, though, it wouldn’t have been the first single we released.”
“Which one would have been?” she asked. “Which song is your favorite?”
“It’s called Blue Skies and Melancholy. We never even released it as a single, so if people don’t have the album, they haven’t heard it,” Chase said. “But it’s my favorite.”
“So play me that one,” Kenzie urged. She knew she’d never heard it before.
“If you insist.” Chase set his phone into the sound dock and tapped at the screen until he found the song.
Blue skies.
Sun is shining.
All around me, people laughing.
I want to join them, yet I can’t.
I try to laugh, and it comes out choked.
I try to smile, and it’s always forced.
It seems melancholy has a hold on me.
No one ever understands. They ask what’s wrong.
Why can’t they see?
Melancholy has a hold on me.
Blue skies all around me, but all I know is gray.
I wish I could see what the rest of the world sees,
But I can’t break free.
No, melancholy has a hold on me.
The cords and chorus repeated themselves a little too much for Kenzie’s taste, but she found it typical of that genre of music, and even if it was a little on the repetitive side, it was hard not to be emotionally impacted by the lyrics.
“That’s very powerful,” she said. “And it seems heartfelt.”
“I’m glad that comes through.” Chase jammed his hands in his pockets and cast his eyes to the floor. “I wrote it about a kid I went to high school with who struggled with depression. I hardly knew the guy. He was a jock, a big man on campus, and I was a skinny, geeky kid who played in the orchestra. This guy, he had everything, or so we thought... until he shot himself in the head during junior year with his dad’s police-issued firearm.”
“I... wow. I’m sorry.” Kenzie didn’t know what else to say.
“Like I said, I barely knew him. We didn’t travel in the same circles. When I learned he’d killed himself, I found myself thinking ‘why’? What a waste. He had so much promise.” Chase’s voice was soft. “And also, apparently, a lot of pain.” He looked up with damp eyes. “Anyway, I wrote that song with him in mind, trying to put my myself in the head of someone who, at least on the outside, was happy and had everything, but on the inside struggled with a darkness few people knew about.”
“Does his family know about it?”
Chase shook his head. “No, and there’s no reason they should. We weren’t friends, and it was a long time ago. It’s just something that happened that inspired me to write a song. Music is personal to me.”
“It is to me, too,” Kenzie said softly. “I want my music to speak from the heart.”
“Good.” Chase nodded. “That’s what I needed to know,” he said. “So what do you think? Do you want to do this duet?”
Kenzie didn’t hesitate, but she tried not to sound desperate at the same time. “Yes, I do. But only if it’s something you really want.” She didn’t want him to feel pressured.
“I expected to say no. I came here intending to say no,” Chase told her. “And I’m still skeptical it can all work. But after meeting you, and hearing your sound, I’m intrigued. I think I’d like to give it a try.”
“So that’s a yes?”
“That’s a yes.” Chase smiled. “Let’s record a duet, and make it a number one hit.”
He said yes. He actually wanted to do it. Chase probably didn’t realize it, but he might have just salvaged her career. Without thinking, Kenzie threw her arms around him. “Thank you!”
“Um, you’re welcome?” He stood there, stiff, for a moment, before his arms went around her, too. Strong arms, and he smelled woody and outdoorsy and completely, totally male.
Down girl! You don’t date, remember? This is a wor
king relationship, only. “Sorry about that. I get a little excited sometimes.” Kenzie separated herself from him, albeit reluctantly. She figured she’d better, before she really embarrassed herself, seeing as how she hadn’t sex in... well, a very long time. Too long. And Kenzie missed sex. She liked sex. It was everything else about relationships she hated.
“No worries.” With his arms now free, Chase jammed his hands back in his pockets, which seemed to be his usual stance. “Glad you’re looking forward to it,” he said. “So, um, since it appears I’ll be in Nashville for a little while, I better go buy some things, maybe find a place to stay. I’ll see you later, okay?”
Great. Now he couldn’t get away from her fast enough. Nicely done, Kenzie. “Sure, okay. Are you going to call Carey?”
“Yeah, I can do that. Maybe have him set up a meeting with Keith for tomorrow.”
“Perfect. Okay.” Just like that, they were right back to business. The way things should be. Except, damn it, his arms felt good around her.
“Great. See you then,” Chase said. “I’ll show myself out.”
***
Chase knew he was being rude in leaving abruptly. It wasn’t the kind of thing he normally did, but he had to get out of there, get away from her, before he kissed her. Christ, he wanted to kiss her so bad, but then a calmer head prevailed. They were going to work together, record this song, make it a big hit. That was it. It was business. Kenzie had made that perfectly clear when she’d announced her prohibition on dating. And what was up with that, anyway?
He called Carey as soon as he left Kenize’s loft and met him at a bar just down the street. Already, Chase found himself liking Nashville and its vibrant downtown. He might not always like it, sure, but it was a nice contrast to the sleepy pace of his New Hampshire hometown, and there was definitely more going on.
“Do you have an answer for me?” Carey asked as soon as Chase joined him.
He nodded. “Yeah. I’ll do it. We’ll do it.”
“Good deal.” Carey gestured to the bartender. “I’ll buy you a drink, since hopefully this project will make all of us rich. Or even richer.”
“Whatever.” Chase didn’t care about the money. He wanted to make good music, and he’d always believed that as long as he made good music, the financial aspect would work itself out. So far, that had proven to be true.
“So what changed your mind?” Carey asked after he’d ordered their drinks. “Because you seemed pretty adamant about not doing this.”
“Yes, I was,” Chase admitted. The bartender placed a beer in front of him, and he took a drink. Not as good as the one he’d had earlier, but not bad. “It didn’t seem like a good fit, at least at first. But after talking with Kenzie, and hearing some of her music, I changed my mind,” he said. “I like her sound, and she appears to want to record from the heart.”
“She does, yeah,” Carey said. “Her latest single is a pretty emotional one.”
“Takin’ it Back? It sure is. She played that one for me. In fact, it kind of sealed the deal,” Chase said. “So what’s her story?”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean that song’s obviously emotional to her. It’s not just any ole song. So what’s the story behind it?” Kenzie obviously didn’t want to discuss it, so maybe he could get some answers from Carey. “There is one, right?”
“Of course there is,” the manager answered. “But that doesn’t mean I’m going to tell you.”
“Come on, man,” Chase urged.
“Nope.” Carey shook his head. “Not my place.”
“But you know, right? Obviously you know.”
“I know a little,” Carey said, “but not all. I don’t think anyone knows all. Kenzie likes to hold things in.” He took a drink. “I’ll just say this. Tread softly, okay? Be careful. There’s been some hurt, there.”
.
CHAPTER FIVE
After the way he’d hightailed it out of her loft, Kenzie wouldn’t have been surprised if she never heard from Chase again. After all, he was a platinum selling artist at the top of the charts. She was on the brink of being a country music has-been. She might need him, but he certainly didn’t need her. And he probably wanted nothing to do with the mixed signals she gave off.
Instead, Chase surprised her with an early morning phone call and invitation to breakfast at a diner close to Keith’s office. Maybe she hadn’t completely blown everything. Or maybe he just wanted to give her the news in person. He’d changed his mind. The duet was off and he was heading back east.
Assume the worst much, Kenzie? Well, it was the same diner where Carey gave her the news that her new single bombed on the charts.
“Morning.” Chase greeted her with a smile. He wore a red T-shirt, jeans, and the same combat boots from the day before, and sported an extra day’s growth of beard, which suited him. In fact, it made him even sexier.
“Hi,” Kenzie said, pulling out a chair. “I thought you might be back in Vermont by now.”
“Vermont?” Chase’s lips thinned in a frown. “Why would I be in Vermont?”
“Isn’t that where you’re from?”
He shook his head. “No, New Hampshire. They’re close, though.”
“Sorry, I’m a Southern girl,” Kenzie said. “I’ve never been up that way.”
“Then you should check it out sometime. New Hampshire is God’s country.”
“Really?” She arched a brow. “Isn’t that kind of an arrogant statement?”
“Maybe.” Chase shrugged. “It’s really a beautiful place, though.” He picked up a coffee mug and took a drink. “And it’s home. I’ll miss it while I’m here.”
“Miss it? Does that mean you’re staying in Nashville for a while?” Already, Kenzie had her hopes up.
“Well, yeah, isn’t that obvious? You’re here, Keith’s here, and we have a song to record, right?”
“Right, yes.” Kenzie swallowed a sigh of relief and turned her mug over so the waitress could pour her some coffee as well. “I was afraid maybe you’d changed your mind,” she said once they were alone again. Afraid maybe I’d run you off.
“Nah.” Chase shook his head. “I got together with Carey last night and we talked, had a drink. I thought some more about the project, and I have to say I’m actually getting pretty excited about the possibilities.”
He was excited? Not half as excited as she was, probably. “Me too. I’ve never sung a duet before.” She’d suggested one to Jesse when they’d first started dating, and he’d quickly nixed the idea. Now Kenzie was grateful he had. She had enough bad memories of their time together without having to hear one on the radio.
“Me neither, and I always swore I wouldn’t.” Chase gave her a smile. “I like your style, though, and your sound, so I want to do this. But after having a chance to sleep on it, I have one condition I have to insist on. Hopefully it won’t be a deal breaker.”
“Condition?” Kenzie’s mind raced, wondering what it might be. Was he going to insist she keep her hands to herself, because that would probably be a good idea, if hard to implement.
“Yeah. I don’t want Keith to just give us somebody else’s song to record. I want to write something original,” he said. “With your help, of course.”
“You want us to write a song together?” Kenzie didn’t have much experience writing her own songs. She was used to Jesse picking all of them, from the top writers in the business. The only songs she’d written herself were on the new album. The one that no one seemed to like. Did Chase know what he was getting himself into with his request?
“That’s right. I told you yesterday, I like music from the heart. I want to be able to connect to it. If it’s someone else’s song, I don’t know if I’ll form that connection,” Chase said. “So I want to see what we can create together. Are you game?”
Was she ever. “Yeah, I’m game,” Kenzie said. “I’d love to try to write a song with you.” She didn’t know whether she was in the same league as Chase as a song
writer, but hopefully she’d be a fast learner and be able to contribute something to the cause. “And I promise to try to behave myself.”
“How so?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Oh, I just meant I won’t throw myself in your arms anymore,” Kenzie promised.
“Okay, if you insist.” Chase gave her a sexy grin. “I wouldn’t mind too much if you did, though.”
***
Chase knew he should stop flirting with her. Carey’s warning had been pretty clear, after all. Although he didn’t know the details, Chase could read between the lines. Kenzie had been hurt, and hurt badly. So much so that she’d vowed to steer well clear of men and relationships. And he was only here for a short time. All the reason for him to steer clear as well. But damn it, she was so easy to flirt with.
Kenzie might have promised to behave herself, but if anyone needed to be on their best behavior, it was Chase. They ate a quick breakfast while she told him a little about Nashville, and then made their way to Keith’s office.
The producer greeted them with a big smile. “Carey tells me you’ve decided to join me for this project.”
“That’s right,” Chase said. “I admit I was reluctant at first. I’ve never done a duet, and I’m not sure about country. It’d be an honor to work with you, though.” He glanced over at Kenzie, sitting beside him. “And with Kenzie. I’ve had the chance to listen to some of her music, and I see the potential in this partnership.”
“Perfect,” Keith said. “Terrific.” He leaned back in his chair, resting his hands behind his head. “I can’t wait to make the official announcement. I’d like to debut the song at the ACM awards, so we need to get right to work. First thing we should do is find you the perfect song. I’ve got a few ideas—”
Dissonance Page 3
