A few days later, we were sitting in Tia's living room with Hank Butler. I had to admit, he wasn't what I had envisioned for a PR guy. He was in his early forties with a head of thick black hair. He wore a pair of denim jeans, a white button-down shirt, and brown leather jacket.

The entire band was there: Tia, Mick, Pax and I. Butler requested we play a private show for him, so we obliged. I found it interesting that he didn't want to hear any covers. He wanted all original songs. That wasn't an issue since Tia and I were always writing—sometimes alone, sometimes together. I played because I loved it, and treated this performance just like any other rehearsal.

We started the set with an uptempo number, "Here To Party." It always got the crowd pumped when we played it live and got the band's adrenaline flowing. Next, we played, "Burn For You." It was a sexy duet which I started on vocals and Tia took over the second verse. We always had fun with that number. Tia's pouty mouth and sexy eyes played out on stage as she sauntered up to share my mike and sing the chorus. We ended the set with a ballad that showcased Tia's amazing vocal range.

Butler sat on the sofa in silence, still with no emotion. We played our last note and stood quietly awaiting his feedback. Butler took his time. Leaning back on the sofa, he crossed his legs. After an interminably long pause, his lips curved up into a smile. "I like it," he finally announced.

"Thank you, Mr. Butler," Tia added. She was trying to play it cool, but I could tell she was ready to burst with joy.

Butler stood from the sofa and walked toward our makeshift stage, a well-worn Persian rug that covered the hardwood floor. "I'd like to sign you to Aotearoa Records."

Biting her bottom lip, Tia glanced sideways at me.

"Can you give us a moment to talk about it?" I asked Butler.

"No worries." His mobile phone rang, glancing down to see who was calling, he continued. "I've got to take this. Talk amongst yourselves."

Pax, Mick, Tia and I gathered in a circle. "Well?" Tia asked looking at each of us.

"Wicked," Pax chimed in.

"I'm in," Mick agreed.

I knew how much this meant to Tia, so I gave a small nod of my head to agree.

Once Butler ended his phone call, Tia stepped forward and accepted the offer. "Thank you, Mr. Butler. We would be honored."

Reaching into his laptop bag, Butler pulled out some papers. "I was hoping you would say that. I've prepared a contract. Look it over. If you are still interested, sign it and get it back to me in a week."

I took the contract from his hand as he continued to speak.

"Alright, the first thing I want to do is get you into the studio to record an EP. In a month, I'm sending you out on the road to support Neil Finn for a two-week tour of New Zealand. This will be a great way to grow a following and get people into your sound. When you get back to Auckland, you'll head into the studio for a month to record your first full-length album. That will be followed up by PR and another supporting slot tour."

Tia lost it. She threw her arms around Butler and hugged him. "That's amazing, thank you! We won't disappoint you," she gushed in appreciation.

"That's what I like to hear," Mr. Butler beamed. "I'll head back to the office and see what I can do to book some studio time. Once I have it nailed down, I'll ring you with the details so you can clear your schedules." Mr. Butler shook each one of our hands before Tia walked him to the front door.

"Thanks again," she said.

Butler simply winked at her and left the flat.

Tia closed the door, spun around on her heels and let out a scream. We guys just laughed. "Did that really just happen?" Pax asked aloud.

"It's bloody fantastic!" Mick chimed in.

"I don't believe it," I added.

Tia walked over to us and grabbed Mick with one hand and mine with the other. "This is our lucky break. If we play our cards right, none of us with ever have to work a mundane job ever again."

"We need to celebrate," Pax agreed.

"I've got a bottle of champagne in the fridge," Tia said.

We made our way to the kitchen. Tia grabbed flutes from the top cabinet, while I popped the cork on the bottle and poured. "Tia Sympathy," I said raising my glass in a toast.

"Tia Sympathy," everyone joined in.

* * *

Alicia walked through the front door around five thirty that night. I was sitting on the sofa with my guitar and pad of paper working on a new song. My gorgeous girl gave me a wide grin, dropped her bag on the floor and cuddled up to me on the sofa. I placed the guitar on the floor and pulled her onto my lap, kissing her as if I hadn't seen her for days.

"How was your day?" I asked.

"No, way, we're not talking about me," she chided. "Tell me about the audition."

I shook my head, still not believing what had transpired.

Alicia frowned. "Oh no, was it bad?"

"No, it was actually really good. So good, I think it was all a dream."

"What happened?" she all but shouted at me.

"Butler wants to sign us and put us out on tour with Neil Finn."

"Neil Finn, oh my God, that's huge!" She hugged me and gave me another kiss.

"The guy has been an idol of mine for so long, I just can't believe this is happening," I admired.

"What sort of time frame are we talking about?"

"We're meeting with a lawyer tomorrow to go over the contract. If we sign it Butler wants us to record an EP and send us our on tour in a month."

"Do you want to sign? I'm sensing some hesitation on your part."

"I don't know. I never dreamed of a full-time job in music. I'm still in shock a record company wants to sign us. Guess it wouldn't be so bad to give it a go and see what happens."

"How long is the tour?"

"Just a fortnight; It doesn't take long to travel New Zealand. Then he wants us back in the studio to record an album."

"Wow, that seems fast," Alicia remarked.

"Exactly, and making an EP and an album in close succession, we needed more original material."

"You're always scribbling away in that notebook of yours. I'm sure you've got great songs. You just need to practice."

"We'll be doing a lot of that in the next month," I admitted.

"Tia must be over the moon. This all seems to be falling into place pretty quickly."

"Now love, don't jump ahead. You know how many bands work their entire life struggling from gig to gig and never really have enough money to live comfortably?"

"I have faith in you guys. I don't care about the money, you know that. I have a good job, Hunter. We don't have to worry about paying the bills."

"And I don't need my wife supporting me," I said with a warning glance.

Alicia rolled her eyes. "Okay, alpha male, I'm not trying to wound you macho Kiwi pride."

I had to chuckle because Alicia was right. I'd never admit it to her though. "I'm just trying to be realistic. This deal isn't a sure thing. It depends on us as a band, and the strength of our songs, and a fickle audience."

"Your right," she conceded, "but I know you guys and how passionate you are about the music. I'd put my money on you every time."

Her unwavering faith and loyalty blew me away. "You're not hungry, are you?"

"A little, why?"

"Because right now I just need to make love to my wife." With that, I picked her up in my arms and carried her to our bedroom.