“Take it. It’s not a big deal. Did you look in the cabinet? It would take me a year to get through that stuff.”
Did this girl really have so many amenities that she could part with them so easily?
“I’m gonna jump in the shower.” Tessa paused before she entered the bedroom. “I hope you know you can get something in the kitchen. Not just up here, but downstairs, too.”
Sindy nodded, although she would never dare walk downstairs by herself. “Thanks. I ate at the diner. But I’ll take a bottle of water.”
“Help yourself.”
While Tessa showered, Sindy clicked on the TV, changed into the tank top and lounge pants from last night, and curled up on the couch with a bottle of water. She noticed that the linens and pillow from last night were sitting on the other end of the couch, as if waiting for her return. She stuck the pillow behind her head, draped the soft blanket over her and snuggled into the scent of lavender. This little slice of paradise was all she wanted. The space was perfect, and she imagined the day that she’d enjoy something like it for herself. She envied Tessa and imagined what it might have been like to grow up with loving parents who guided and cared about your life.
“Tess, you up?” It was Lucas’ voice coming through the door, and then a knock.
Sindy didn’t answer.
“Tessa?”
“She’s in the shower,” Sindy called in reply.
“Can I come in?”
Sindy quickly sat up and pushed the blanket off her. “Um. Sure.”
He poked his head in, hesitantly. “I don’t want to bother you.”
“This is your house, Lucas. You don’t need my permission to come into your sister’s room.”
He let out a short laugh. “Yes I do. I learned a long time ago to respect Tessa’s privacy. She’ll cut my nuts off if I walk into her room uninvited. I just want to drop off this sheet music. She’s writing lyrics for a song we put together a while ago.” He placed it on the desk and stood there, looking at her.
She was puzzled by his smile, until his eyes dropped, and she realized the flimsy tank top she wore clung to her bare breasts. Flushed, she took the pillow from behind her head and hugged it in front of her.
He had the nerve to laugh. “I wasn’t checking you out.”
She narrowed her eyes. “Why not?”
He raised his brow, challenging her brazen taunting.
She had no idea why she loved to get a rise out of him, but it held such gratification. He sat next to her, and she realized she was pushing boundaries. “What do you want, Lucas?”
“I came in to drop off sheet music for my sister.”
“And you did that. What else do you want?”
He shrugged. “I was wondering how you were doing.”
He was being nice. Not sarcastic. Not coy. Nice. He’d done so much for her in the past 24 hours. He didn’t deserve to be taunted. She relaxed and let go of her defensive side. “I’ve been better, but things are looking up. Thanks to you. I want you to know how much I appreciate everything you and Tessa have done for me.”
His boyish smile made him irresistible. Almost.
“I like you when you’re like this,” he said. “I also like when you’re feisty and argumentative and ready to pull your hair out of your head because I don’t agree with you.”
“You’re not always right, you know.”
“Oh, but I am.”
He said it with such serious consternation that she didn’t realize he was kidding until the corners of his mouth drew up into a teasing smile. She took the pillow from in front of her and socked him in the chest with it. He let out a surprised, “Oof!” and she socked him again.
“Hey!” Laughing, he tried to snatch the pillow from her hands, but she held onto it and tugged it toward her. He must not have been expecting her to pull so hard, because he fell into her. His face was inches from hers. One of his hands rested on her thigh. His breath, hot and filled with pheromones, blew across her cheek. All laughter subsided as her gaze dropped to his lips. He parted them, inviting her to come closer.
Pull away! Back up! But she didn’t listen to the little voice inside her head because she didn’t want to. She was powerless against the gravity that pulled them together, and their lips met in the softest of kisses.
The bathroom door opened, and Tessa’s loud singing filled the room. Both Sindy and Lucas laughed, the moment broken. Sindy lowered her chin into her chest. What the hell was she thinking? She didn’t need to fall into bed with Lucas again. Her life was complicated enough. She told herself that her mind was clouded by the generosity that had been extended her way. But, in her heart, she knew it was so much more than that.
Sindy found herself sitting in Angel Garcia’s office for the second time in 48 hours. Concern about another meeting so soon after he had learned about her homeless situation made her fidget in her chair. This time, there were no allies. No Tessa. No Lucas. Not even Tommy Blade shared the desk with Angel. The lack of other people in the room made Sindy twice as anxious, and she wondered if he’d changed his mind about offering her a contract. Even more discerning was the strange man sitting in the chair next to her.
The corners of Angel’s mouth curled into a tiny smile, and the warmth and amity that resonated from him made her feel more at ease. This man was naturally nurturing and calming.
“I’d like to introduce John Whittier.” Angel smiled as he spoke. “He’s your attorney.”
Surprised, she turned to the man sitting next to her. She expected him to be Angel’s attorney or the band’s attorney. She never thought this professional-looking man was here to represent her interests. “I don’t have any money.” She felt stupid that those were the first words she said to him, but she wanted it clear.
He gave her a relaxed nod of the head. “My representation is pro bono. That means I’m not charging a fee for my services. I’ve known the Garcia family for 30 years. I’m happy to be of service.”
Momentarily flabbergasted, she sat with her mouth open for a few seconds before thanking him and offering her hand. He shook it and then opened a manila folder. “I have an engagement letter outlining my services.” He handed her a copy and retained one for himself. He explained each paragraph of the two-page document, which basically said his representation was limited to negotiation of the contract between herself and BGW Records as rhythm guitarist for Prodigy, and that he wasn’t charging her a fee. She listened intently and followed along carefully. Although it was hard to absorb so much information all at once, she trusted Angel and signed it.
“Wonderful.” Angel placed his hands on the desk. “Now we can move on to the next phase of business.” He pulled a folder from the middle drawer, opened it, took out two sets of clipped papers and handed one set to Sindy and the other to her attorney. “This is your contract with Prodigy and our offer.”
“Already?” She stared at it in disbelief. This was really happening. She held the key to her future and all of her dreams in her hand.
“I escalated everything, in light of the current situation.”
The contract was lengthy, and although her attorney explained it paragraph by paragraph just as he had done with the engagement letter, there was a lot of information outlined that she couldn’t fully comprehend. The main things her attorney told her to pay attention to were what was expected of her as rhythm guitarist, the term of the contract, which was one year and renewable, and her compensation, which was subject to renegotiation upon renewal of her contract.
She stared at the dollar amount and blinked several times, sure that there were too many zeros. It was contingent upon the success of the first album. She was guaranteed a fixed amount if the album tanked, which was still larger than she’d expected. This was more money than she ever imagined.
“This is the best part,” Angel said. “And I wanted to hand it to you myself. Here’s your advance.”
She took the envelope he offered her and slowly opened it, still in a stupor. It was a
check for $30,000. She gasped, and her gaze shot to Angel, who wore a genuine smile that extended all the way to his eyes. She’d never seen anyone so happy about giving away so much money before. And then she wondered, is this his money or Tessa, Lucas, and Mason’s money? The contract was with BGW Records, but Angel managed the band and, she assumed, its finances. It was all too complicated and her head was still reeling from the offer and the amount of money in her hand. She squeaked out a pathetic, “Thank you.”
“You’re very welcome, Sindy. I see a bright light ahead for you with much success. You have fortitude and determination. I don’t think you have any idea how talented you are and how far it can take you.”
“Thank you.” This time her voice resonated strength. “I won’t let you down. I promise. I’ll work my butt off for this band.”
“I’m sure you will. I value your work ethic. That’s very important to me. I trust this will help you with housing and living expenses, but you’ll also need wardrobe for the promotional tour.”
“Wait. What?” She leaned forward, sure she misheard. “We’re going on tour?”
“Yes. The wheels have been in motion for many, many years. We’re ready to introduce Prodigy to the world. The songs you’re working on are going to be part of Prodigy’s first album. A single will be out shortly. I’m sure Tessa has already extended the invitation for you to stay here until you find an apartment, and I want you to know that you’re welcome here. I can get a recommendation for a realtor if you need one.”
“I have something lined up.” She couldn’t remember the last time she heard this much hope in her voice. “My boss at the diner owns two small apartment complexes. I’ve been saving all my money to move into one of the units.” An apartment. A tour. An album. Sindy was dizzy. Angel’s lips were moving, but she couldn’t hear anything. The fog inside her head clouded everything except the knowledge that she would finally have enough money to move into an apartment. She didn’t have to sleep in a storage unit any longer or impose on these nice people. She could stay in a hotel until her apartment was ready. Her apartment. She said it over and over again in her head. She’d never been so overwhelmed. Her lips quivered even though she pressed them together so hard they hurt, and the tears streamed down her cheeks.
“Oh, sweetheart.” Angel Garcia was suddenly next to her, offering a comforting hand on her back. “I understand this is an emotional moment. You have a wonderful opportunity in front of you. My son tells me you’re very smart.”
Her head snapped up to meet Angel’s gaze. “Lucas thinks I’m smart?”
“Of course.” Angel leaned back, surprised that she was surprised. “Lucas is very enamored by your talent and ability to learn. He’s excited to teach you everything he knows about music.” He gave her a whimsical smile. “I have a Blade man in my life, as well. Lucas is just like his father. They’re both incredibly smart and educated. The best part is that they want to share their knowledge. Impart some of their wisdom so someone else can enjoy the things they love.”
She never looked at it like that before. Lucas didn’t have to go out of his way to teach her the intricate theories he worshiped. She recalled his excitement during their lessons and how animated he would become. He went beyond what she needed to know, which is why she grew so frustrated. She wanted to get on with it and play music. He wanted to teach her every little detail.
“Well, are you going to sign this contract?” Angel prompted.
So many things were swarming in her head that she forgot she was still holding it. She looked down at the paper that would change her life. Lucas, Tessa and Mason’s signatures were already there. It only needed hers to close the deal. With a shaking hand, she signed her name.
“Welcome to our little family, Sindy. You’re officially a member of Prodigy.”
After the meeting with Angel Garcia, Sindy needed to leave for work. She stared at the check one last time, folded it in half, stuffed it into the side pocket of her wallet for safe keeping, and drove to the diner. Waitressing was anticlimactic after the high of signing a recording contract, but she still needed to work. Just because she had a signed contract didn’t mean she could quit her job. The $30,000 check needed to last her at least six months. It seemed like more than enough money at first, but as she added up expenses in her head, she realized how quickly she could go through the money. She couldn’t continue with double shifts at the diner because she’d be spending time rehearsing with Prodigy. She still needed a few thousand dollars to put down on an apartment. She didn’t need furniture, but she needed a wardrobe and necessities to bring on tour. She needed to budget her money carefully, because she could easily blow through it.
“Hellooo.” Justine, Sindy’s boss, waved her hand in front of Sindy’s face.
“Sorry. I was spacing out. Can I talk to you for a moment?”
Placing a balled fist on her hip, Justine sighed. “I hope you’re not leaving me. You’re my best waitress.”
“No. I might be cutting back on the double shifts, but I definitely need this job. I have enough money now to secure that apartment if it’s still available.”
“The studio?”
Sindy nodded.
“I have several actually. A potential tenant I had lined up fell through. His credit report was a disaster, and another tenant just gave notice.”
Oh God, not another background check and credit report.
“Don’t worry if your credit report isn’t perfect,” Justine said, picking up on Sindy’s apprehension. “I’ll cut you some slack. You work hard and come in when I need you. You never take a day off. You don’t take long breaks or leave early. Like I said, you’re my best waitress.”
Sindy was humbled. “Thank you. I appreciate it. Can I see the apartment tonight?”
“Give me a day to make sure the place is clean. The contractor was making some last minute touch ups on the dry wall.”
Sindy didn’t care about any of that. The idea of finally getting the beautiful studio apartment had her over the moon. “Tomorrow is perfect. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it.”
“You can show your appreciation by taking care of booth five.” Justine pointed to the right-hand corner of the diner. “They specifically asked for you.”
Sindy turned toward the booth and found Tessa, Mason, and Lucas smiling and waving at her.
She grabbed a tray, placed three mugs on it and headed over with the coffee pot. “Welcome to Justine’s!” she said as she put the cups on the table and filled them with coffee.
“I’m so excited!” Tessa exclaimed, in a hushed voice so she didn’t draw attention.
“Congrats.” Mason held up his cup.
Lucas was smiling, but shaking his head. “I can’t believe you came straight to the diner after signing the contract.”
“I can’t believe you all bailed on me and I had to meet with Angel Garcia. Alone. Where were you?” She looked pointedly at Tessa. “I was so nervous.”
“Nervous? With my papi? He’s the last person you need to worry about. He never gets mad or raises his voice about anything.”
Lucas chuckled. “Yeah. Unless you take his Bentley out for a spin when you’re 14.”
So this book-smart, educated man was really a rebel at heart. “You didn’t, did you?” Sindy asked, skeptically.
“You bet your ass I did.”
Mason smiled innocently and placed the palm of his hand on his chest. “I had nothing to do with it. I swear.”
Tessa smirked at them and then looked up at Sindy. “They didn’t even invite me. Can you believe it?”
“I wasn’t into hanging out with my kid sister at that age,” Lucas replied.
Sindy listened to the banter between the three. They shared so much between them – a life filled with childhood memories, antics, and opportunities. She envisioned a future where she was part of their circle and she’d be sitting with them, re-telling some story about a crazy time they shared or incredible show they played. She couldn�
��t wait to make those memories. “Let’s go out tonight and celebrate.”
They ended up at a neighborhood bar that overlooked the beach, and after the initial commotion of Mason Wilder entering the place, they settled in an out-of-the-way booth where a round of beers landed on the table as soon as they sat down, courtesy of the bartender. Mason immediately made a toast with his raised beer bottle. “Here’s to making music and making money. Cutting singles and touring the world. I’ve been waiting for this day since I was 12 years old.”
“I’ve been waiting for it since I was two.” Tessa laughed.
Lucas clinked his bottle against everyone’s. “I thought this day would never come.”
As Sindy tipped the beer bottle back, the day flashed through her head. She still couldn’t believe everything that had happened. “This is surreal. I can’t believe I’m officially part of Prodigy, and we’re releasing a single. And I’m getting an apartment!” They’d been talking about the band so much that she forgot to tell them about Justine’s place. “I’m going to see it tomorrow night. It’s only a studio, but it’s newly renovated. I can move in on the first, so I’ll just grab a hotel until it’s ready.”
“Don’t get a hotel,” Tessa begged. “Stay with me until your apartment’s ready. I love having you in my suite. We’ll have so much fun together.”
There was no resisting Tessa’s pleading brown eyes, plus Sindy never realized how lonely she was. She had friends at the diner, but rarely did much socially anymore because all she did was work. The short time she’d spent with Tessa, Mason, and Lucas made her feel like she was part of something. She was so tired of feeling like an outsider. “Are you sure I’m not imposing?”
“I’m positive.”
Sindy nodded. “I’d love that, Tessa. Thank you. If everything goes as planned, it’ll only be for about two weeks.”
“Yay!” Tessa wrapped her arms around Sindy’s neck and gave her a tight hug.
“I think it’s a good idea,” Lucas added. “We have a lot of work to do. You have to learn all the songs. We need to record tracks.”
LUCAS BLADE: Radical Rock Stars: Next Generation Duet Book 1 Page 12
