Chapter 6- Jack
It was minutes after my warped confession to Trini when I fell into a very deep sleep. The smell of coffee wakes me and it is heaven.
“Thanks for letting me crash, not that you had a choice. What time is it?”
“It’s before nine. I know you have to be at the studio, so I set an alarm. After you passed out on me last night, I got a lot of sleep.” She carries a hot cup of coffee over to me in bed, while smile and I stretch. She has gotten dressed in short shorts and a tank top. Her hair is adorably messy. She removed her piercings and make-up at one point during the night, and it makes her look so young and sweet. She really is very pretty.
“Remind me, why I haven’t proposed to you yet?” I ask as I grab the cup from her hands.
“You can’t keep up with me, Lair.” She says before bending to kiss me on the lips.
“You are awesome Trin. Thanks for listening last night.” I say while looking down into my cup of coffee.
“I owe you for all the times you listened to me crying like a girl over some dick.” She says smiling warmly. “It will work out Jack, have faith.”
I look up at her and smile back. “I hope so.”
After my coffee I am a new man. Showered, dressed and out the door in record time, I arrive at the studio by nine-thirty and thankfully am the first one in. I grab another two cups of coffee on the way, and look forward to sitting in peace quietly drinking my drug of choice. I still have to complete the little task of calling Leila, but it’s way too early for that now. It will have to wait until later.
My time alone goes by way too quickly when I hear Hunter and Scott coming down the hall arguing annoyingly on what time I will show. They have twenty bucks riding on me. Scott has me for ten-thirty, Hunter for eleven.
Douchebags.
I can be very responsible when I want to be, or have to be.
When they walk through the door they both stop in shock. “What, did you sleep here?” Hunter asks.
“Zip it dickhead, I heard you both betting on how late I would be. I got here a half hour ago.”
“No shit. Well we both lose then.” Hunter says smiling his annoying smile.
“Fuck off.” I fume, flipping him the bird.
“You sure are pissy.” He repeats my words from last night.
“How was your night, Jack?” Scott says trying to make peace.
“Awesome. How did your date with Hunter go?” Now it’s Hunter’s turn to flip me the bird.
Trey walks in wearing the same clothes as yesterday. I am too. An exchanged glance is the extent of our conversation on both of us getting lucky last night.
Once Jennifer arrives we get right to work. We need to lie out the album sequence, and fax it to the studio heads by the end of the day. This is going to be agony as we all have an opinion.
Three torturous hours later, we are taking a short break and Hunter remembers my homework assignment. “Did you call Leila?”
“It was too early when I got here. I’ll call her now.” I need to get this over with. Jennifer looks over at me, as I am about to walk out of the studio and moves to follow.
I hold up my hand. “Stay here.”
Stopping her in her tracks, she gives me a look.
“I want to talk to you when I am done calling her. You need to ease up on her. She’ll be one of your clients if she signs and she deserves the same treatment as you give us. Just think about it.” I turn and walk out of the studio leaving a stunned Jen behind. Suddenly I want to protect Leila from Jennifer even more.
Ducking into the conference room, I shut the door and dial her number. Why the hell is my heart pounding through my chest?
“Hello?”
“Hey there, how are you?” I say trying to sound normal.
“Hi Jack. I’m great. A bit overwhelmed, but great. What’s up?” She sounds like she is
surprised to hear from me.
“Just checking in to make sure you don’t have any questions.” This is a legitimate reason to call, right?
“Well I have tons of questions, but none that you can really answer.” She laughs into the phone. Her laugh is adorable. God she is too cute.
“Are you sure? I am more than happy to help.” I really would like to help her in any way she wants me to.
“Well I am putting together a list for my lawyer. Once I review with him, I’ll call you with any other questions he can’t answer. Is that ok?” She asks tentatively.
“Sure Leila, that’s fine. I just wanted to let you know that I meant it when I said I’m here for you if you have any questions or concerns. I’m sure your head is reeling right now and I want to remind you how talented you are. This is going to be great for all of us.” I pause. I better stop now. “Um, well, have a great day, and I hope to hear from you soon.”
There is silence on her end before she answers, “Ok, thanks. Bye, Jack.”
She does not sound as if she’s about to bolt. I’m sure her lawyer will put any other reservations she has at ease. Jennifer and Scott are just overreacting. I feel better as well, plus it was really nice hearing her voice.
Shit…