The blaring music coming out of my phone caused me to shoot up in bed and almost fall off the side. I slapped at the screen without even looking at it. The noise was killing my damn headache. Clearly, I had a few too many drinks the night before.
When my music didn’t stop, I finally peeked an eye open toward the wall I shared with Tucker. But this time, it wasn’t him. I looked over at my phone and saw that I was actually getting a call. I probably should have let it go to voicemail since my mouth felt like I had been chewing on cotton for about seven hours straight.
“Hello.” Oh dear God. I sounded like a man.
“Hello. May I speak with Ms. Hayes?” A woman’s voice came through the line.
I held my hand over the speaker of the phone and cleared my throat. “This is her.”
“Hi, Ms. Hayes. This is Chloe Rule. I am the Manager of Rock Bottom. We are a new restaurant in the area.”
“Yes. I’ve heard of it,” I said almost confused.
“Well we are looking for a photographer to do some promotional shots and our owners are asking for you by name.”
“Me?” I almost squeaked out.
“Yes.” She laughed softly. “Apparently they saw some of your images through a friend and were highly impressed. Can you come in to meet with me about the vision we have to see if you feel like you would be a good fit?”
“Absolutely. I would love to.”
“I know it’s short notice, but could you come in this afternoon? I’d like to get things squared away.”
“Yes. I have a scheduled shoot at six this evening, but I could come in around two if that works for you.” I was practically bouncing on my bed.
“That sounds great. Do you know where we are located?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Oh, God. Don’t call me ma’am. I’m young and rocking. You just made me feel old.”
“Okay.” I laughed. “I’ll see you at two.”
“Sounds good! See you then.” Chloe ended the call, and I jumped on top of my mattress and screamed at the top of my lungs.
This was a huge opportunity for me. Doing a campaign shoot for a highly anticipated restaurant could completely change my career. It could give me the boost I’d been needing to take my photography in the direction I’d always envisioned.
After doing my happy dance for a few more minutes, I leaped off my bed and ran straight out my bedroom door and into Brooke’s. The apartment was still dark and I momentarily looked at the clock to see that it was nine in the morning, and Brooke was probably going to kill me.
I jumped up on her bed without any warning, and she almost head-butted me in the crotch when she shot up in her bed like a ninja.
My hands protected my lady bits then I jumped onto her lap and pinned her shoulders to the bed.
“What the fuck are you doing, you crack head?”
“Wake up. Wake up. Wake up.” I shook her shoulders.
She slapped at my hand, and I couldn’t help laughing at the scowl on her face.
“What is wrong with you? Get off me.”
“I can’t. I’m too excited.”
“Why? Did a new book release today?” she asked sarcastically.
“Don’t be a snob. I’m excited because I just got a phone call from the manager at that new restaurant Rock Bottom, and they want to meet me about taking photos for their advertisements.”
“Seriously?” she shouted.
“Yes,” I squealed before I was thrown off of her, and she jumped up on her bed.
“Oh my God! This is amazing!”
I stood up with her, and we jumped on her mattress giggling and hollering like a couple of pre-teens who just got asked out on their first date.
A pounding on the front door stopped our celebration, and we looked at each other in confusion as we tried to catch our breath.
I jumped off the bed and Brooke followed on my heels. I had no clue who could be here at nine in the morning, but there was no one and nothing that could ruin my good mood.
I pulled the door open and standing on the other side was none other than our new neighbors. They were both dressed in gym shorts, tennis shoes, and cut off shirts that were covered in sweat.
“Are you all okay?” Tucker asked in a rushed tone.
“We’re great. Why?” I asked.
“Well, we just got back from our run, and it sounded like the two of you were being murdered in there.” Liam pointed into our apartment as his eyes scanned the area for a threat.
“Kennedy just got the best news ever. We were celebrating.”
“Did she win the Nobel Prize?” Tucker asked, now amused.
“Not quite,” I said, but Brooke was already spilling out my news.
“Have you all heard of Rock Bottom?”
Tucker and Liam exchanged a look, but I couldn’t decipher what it meant.
“Yeah. We’ve heard of it.” Tucker was almost hesitant as he said it, and now I was worried that it was actually an undercover sex dungeon or something.
“Well, she has a meeting with their manager to possibly become their photographer.”
“Really?” Tucker said almost smug, and it pissed me off.
“Yes, really. Apparently, the owners saw my work and asked for me by name.”
Liam chuckled at my attitude I assumed, but the two of them were really starting to get on my nerves.
“Well good luck,” Tucker said as he turned away from the door and started walking toward his apartment.
“Thanks,” I said back almost suspiciously. I didn’t know what it was, but something felt up with the lot of them, but I decided that I was sticking to my original plan and no one was going to ruin my day.