Chapter 7

Late Friday morning, Brianna was sitting at her desk, answering correspondence and debating what to have for lunch when Jon called. “Hey Boss. What can I do for you?”

“I need you to come out to the house. These assholes think we need another opinion on a couple songs on the new album.”

“Would the assholes be your bandmates by any chance?” She fought a grin.

“Yeah.  Apparently my judgement can’t be trusted.”

Despite his disgruntled tone – or maybe because of it – she couldn’t resist. “Well, considering you wanted to give away Prayer because you didn’t think it could be a hit, I guess I can understand their doubt.” As soon as the words were out of her mouth, she clapped her free hand over it. Nice way to talk to your boss Bri. Not everyone appreciates your sense of humour. If he gets pissed off at your smart mouth and fires you, you’ve got no one to blame but yourself!

“Ooooh....smartass!” His tone indicated amusement rather than anger.

“I told ya!” David could be heard in the background. “I think she needs to be brought out here and spanked!”

“Oh, so you’re having a party!” Once again she clapped her hand over her mouth and swallowed a groan.

Jon gave a bark of laughter. With her sense of humour and sharp wit she was in no danger of being overwhelmed by his friends. In fact, if her comments, and the way she reacted to Richie and David’s phone calls was anything to go by, she could easily hold her own...and even keep them on their toes!  He refused to think how that applied to him. “No, not that kind anyway. Despite what Lemma thinks, I’m trying to get some work done here! So the sooner you can get here the better.”

“I’m on my way.” Hanging up, she gathered her research notes and the correspondence she’d prepared for his approval and shoved it all into her briefcase.

The drive to Red Bank was uneventful and she pulled through the gates and parked by the house. As she stepped out of the car, she was once again greeted by the fearsome guard dog – who wagged his tail and licked her hand. “Hi Copper. I’m glad to see you too.”

She started for the house, but was met by Jesse coming out. “Hey. Dad and the uncles are in the studio. I’ll show you.”

“Thanks Jesse.” She fell into step beside him and Copper took up a position on his other side. “Got any big plans for the summer?”

“Football camp and hanging with my friends.”

“That sounds like fun.”

“Yeah, should be good.”  They reached a building and he motioned towards the stairs wandering up one corner. “Studio’s up there.”

Following him, Brianna sucked in a nervous breath and released it, trying prepare herself for what she was about to face for the first time.....ALL of them....together.

As they entered the studio, five pairs of eyes skipped over Jesse and locked onto his companion. Their appreciative gazes roamed her from her upswept hair, down over her toned figure – today’s suit was a light beige linen – and slender legs to her bright red toenails visible through her peep-toed pumps.

David reached her first. “Jesse, you just became my favourite nephew for bringing us this lovely vision. Hello beautiful. Nice to finally meet you.” He took her hand in his and looked her over again. “Damn! Where did Kidd find you? Clever little stunt you pulled by the way.”

Brianna snorted. “I was just reacting to your stunt if you’ll recall. But it’s nice to meet you too David.”

Jesse turned and left, muttering. Brianna only caught the words “uncle” and “weird”.

Richie pushed his friend aside. “Hey darlin’. I believe I have a debt to pay.”

Before she could even think about reacting, Brianna found herself enfolded in strong, muscular arms. As his cologne filled her nostrils, those arms squeezed, gently. Mmmm...those girls weren’t kidding when they said he gave great hugs! She squeezed him in return and stepped back as he released her. “Whew! Consider that debt paid in full!”

“So I lived up to expectations then?” He grinned.

“In the hugging department anyway. We’ll have to wait and see about the rest.” She almost snorted at his bemused expression. Stepping to the side, she greeted the one member of the band she hadn’t had any contact with yet. “Hello Mr. Torres, I’m Brianna Prentiss.”

“It’s Tico nina and it’s nice to meet you.” He stood and shook her hand. “Welcome to the madness and good luck. I hope you enjoy working with us. And if Jon gives you too hard a time, you just let me know.” His dark eyes twinkled as he looked her over appreciatively. “Muy bonito.”

“Thanks Tico.” Brianna risked a glance at Jon who just rolled his eyes. Smothering a grin she turned to the fifth man in the room. “Hello Obie.”

The slender, bespectacled man frowned slightly. “What? Don’t I rate a Mr.?”

Brianna thought about it for a moment, then shook her head. “Naw. You’re just Obie.”

The room erupted with male laughter and mocking comments about Obie’s place in the world and Jon managed to relax a little. He’d felt his body tighten at the sight of her and for some reason, David’s teasing had disturbed him. But not as much as Richie’s lengthy hug had. He knew neither one were hitting on her, and their harmless flirting shouldn’t bother him. He’d seen it a million times and knew it rarely meant anything other than a little fun. In fact, from Richie’s mood lately and little comments he’d let slip, things with him and Heather were a little tense these days and it was nice to see him relaxed and more his usual self. But.....innocent fun or not, he didn’t like it. He refused to try and figure out why. “If the meet and greet is over, can we get to work?”

Snapping back into professional mode, Brianna rounded the table and took a seat beside her boss, motioning to her briefcase and then the soundboard. “Which work do you want to do first?”

Jon lifted his chin towards the soundboard. “Ob, you want to cue it up please?”

“Sure.”

Brianna settled back in her chair to listen to the new album the way she always did the first time – with her eyes closed. Letting her ears take over, the melodies and harmonies washed over her, fingers tapping the table in time with Tico’s beat.

The men watched her face, noting her reactions to both the music and the lyrics. At one point Obie opened his mouth to say something, but Jon motioned him to stay silent. He was fascinated by the play of emotions drifting across her face. He could tell which lyrics spoke to her, which melodies clicked...and which didn’t.

“Well I guess we know your opinion.” Jon commented wryly as the last note faded. At her confused frown, he explained. “You have a very expressive face.”

“Oh.” Brianna felt her face heat. “Well, you should also know that typically, for me, while some songs will grab me right off the bat, most of them appeal to me more the more I listen to them.” She looked over the track list. “What are you going to call it?”

“Have a Nice Day.”

She nodded. “Good choice. Love the title track.”

“Yeah, but we’ve got too many songs. We need to cut out a couple.”

Brianna sat back and listened while the men debated – for the hundredth time, she was sure – the merits of various songs. But when they came to Dirty Little Secret and it became clear that Jon wanted to cut it, she had to speak up. “Why?”

He grimaced. “’Cause it’ll just start rumours and speculation that I’m cheating on my wife.”

“Or one of you is.” She agreed. She knew some fans tended to read more into the songs than was probably meant. But still...it was a great song. “Can’t be any worse than Damned.”

“You like that one too?” Richie asked.

Brianna nodded. “It’s one of my favourites from the Dark Album.”

“Dark album?” David looked confused.

“Sorry, that’s what I call These Days.” At their expressions, she smiled wryly. “Well, they’re not exactly, upbeat, happy songs, now are they?”

“You didn’t like the album?” Jon couldn’t tell from her comments.

“Actually I love it.....now. When it first came out I thought you guys were in some deep funk or dealing with some heavy emotional shit.” She paused to formulate her thoughts into words. “But....I think they’re songs that require a certain level of life experience to be able to truly appreciate them.” She shrugged. “It’s one of my favourite albums of the entire catalogue.”

“What’s your favourite song on it?” Tico asked.

“Lie To Me.”

“Followed by Something For The Pain?” David guessed.

Brianna shook her head. “This Ain’t A Love Song first.”

Jon studied her eyes and saw shadows darkening them. There was a theme in the songs she picked. They told a story of pain and betrayal....and they obviously meant a lot to her.  “Okay. We’ll add it as a bonus track.”

“My fellow fans and I thank you.” She grinned.

“So, how long have you been a fan?” Richie asked.

“Pretty much since the beginning.”

“Been to any shows?”

“A few.” She admitted, but didn’t specify just how many – she didn’t want them thinking she was a stalker type fan. “I saw Captain Kidd fly.”

Jon’s lips lifted in that self-deprecating half smile he often gave when his antics of the eighties were discussed.

“And you’ve been to at least one show every tour?”

“Yes.”

“And you own all the albums and probably a few bootlegs?” Richie pressed.

“Yes.”

Richie turned to Jon. “See? The diehards aren’t all crazy.”