I kept my head down and my temper in check to finish the recording session. Ironically, Butler's attitude had softened. I doubt he had grown a heart but figured he didn't want is ass kicked. I was relieved when the band was finished. We could leave the studio so the engineer could mix the songs.

We finished recording on Hank Butler's schedule, one month to the day. When we finished that last song, I packed my guitar in my case and left the studio without a word to anyone. I didn't even look back as Butler popped the champagne cork to celebrate.

Walking through the front door of the home I shared with Alicia, I felt like I could finally breathe. I set my guitar case in the corner and climbed the steps that lead to our bedroom. It was just past eleven-thirty in the evening. I was so relieved to find Alicia still awake, reading a book in bed.

"Hey, you're home early," she greeted, closing her book.

"Thank God, the recording is finished," I wearily replied crashing onto the bed.

Alicia bent over and kissed me. "Rough day?"

"They've all been rough."

"Take your shirt off. Roll over on your stomach," she commanded.

Arching my eyebrows, I did as she requested.

Alicia straddled my hips and began massaging my shoulders. "Wow, you have a big knot right here," she announced as her fingers dug deeper into me skin.

"Ouch! I've been beaten up in the studio enough. Can't I come home to some peace?" I asked, looking over my shoulder.

"Was it really that bad?"

"Butler and Tia are always having a row. Butler is ruthless in his pursuit of perfection."

"Isn't that how it's supposed to be? You want to record the best album you can."

"Yeah, but if it's not fun anymore, what's the point?"

Alicia continued rubbing my sore and stressed muscles. Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath and tried to unwind. After five minutes of silence, she finally said, “You finished the album and you’ll go on tour. There's no saying you'll be the next ‘big thing,' and maybe that will be that."

I didn't say a word, simply raised an eyebrow.

"Fine. I think you're going to be the next ‘big thing.' Just remember the four of you are in this together. You are a band. You don't want to let your best mates down. Don't fret over the future. Just focus on one day at a time and when you're dealing with Butler just remember you love making music with your friends. That's why you signed that contract."

Rolling over on the mattress, I tucked my wife underneath me. "You always give the best advice."

"That's not the only thing I'm going to give you right now," Alicia purred as she unzipped my jeans.

"I'm all yours," I replied with a soft chuckle.

* * *

While the album was being crafted by the engineer and producer, we had to do a photoshoot for the album cover and tour posters with J.P. Hall. The band made our way to a small warehouse that had been converted into artist studios just outside of Auckland.

The studio was sparse, with exposed brick walls and high ceilings. A steel table off to one side of the room displayed the photographer's cameras and lenses. In the center of the wide open space stood a long table covered with a white linen cloth. It was decorated with china place settings and an elaborate chandelier hung over the table. It looked like we were getting invited to dinner, not a photo shoot.

A rolling rack of clothing stood just off to the side. There were wild suits in green, purple and orange. A women's dress in a black paisley print hung at the end. "What the hell is this?" Pax said under his breath, so the photographer couldn't hear.

"Kia ora!" the photographer greeted. "Welcome to my studio. I'm really excited to shot you guys today."

"And what is your inspiration?" Mick inquired, pointing at the elaborate display.

"Tia Sympathy—I love that name. I was thinking we could do something wild, like an edgy Alice in Wonderland."

Silently, I glanced to my left at Mick, who looked confused. I glance right at Pax, who looked disgusted. Then I turned back to look at Tia and could almost see the gears in her mind turning to come up with the perfect thing to say.

"Mr. Hall, I appreciate the elaborate set. I just don't feel Alice in Wonderland is a justifiable comparison to our band." She passed by us guys in her tight blue jeans and leather halter top that showed off the tattoo she had around her upper arm. She stepped up onto the blue velvet cushion covering the chair. Next, she stood on top of the table, her spiky, pointed toe boots spread wide. Grabbing the chandelier with one hand, she posed. "This is rock n' roll."

Grinning from ear to ear, I shook my head. Tia had spunk. Hall's eyes light with inspiration. "Yeah, this is good!" Grabbing his camera, he said, "Okay guys, get in there."

Pax sat in one of the chairs and propped his worn Blundstones on top of the table. Mick took a chair on the opposite side, spun it around and sat on it resting his elbows on the back of the chair. I leaned against the front edge of the table, arms crossed.

As the photographer began to take photos, Butler entered the studio. "What the hell!" he exclaimed, mimicking Pax's sentiment.

"Hank, come on in. Your Tia is brilliant!" J.P. declared as he continued to snap shots.

"This wasn't what we discussed," Butler snapped back.

"No, it's better," Hall replied.

Thank God, Tia nixed that idea and convinced him she'd look better as a bad ass rock n' roller. Surprisingly, Butler stood back and didn't say a word. He was too busy on his cell phone to pay attention.

As the shoot wrapped up and the photographer started putting away his gear, Butler approached us with a leather portfolio in hand. He opened it and said, "The CDs go to print Friday and will ship out to retail stores on Monday. I've got you slated to play a live in-store appearance at Real Groovy on Queen Street on Tuesday as well as a few interviews with local radio stations. Then you'll spend the week doing gigs at local clubs before we head out on the road for a month-long tour. Now, this won't be a big arena tour. This will be smaller venues. We'll hit a town, do some press with the local radio stations or music shops and play the gig."

My heart sank at the idea of a month on the road. The band was excited. I was anything but. Playing live was one thing, but all the press and appearances weren't my idea of fun.