Chapter 5 – Power Station

BUZZ. BUZZ. My attention snapped away from my computer to my vibrating iPhone.

- Tomorrow night!!! 7pm... Dinner ideas?? I’m so excited

I couldn’t contain my mischievous grin. With the excitement of the past couple of weeks, Matt’s entrance into my life and our harmonious co-habitation, I’d almost forgotten about it. I had been waiting for tomorrow night to come for months and could think of nothing better than to share it with Emma. I quickly texted back

- Tapas?? I’ll drive

I’d known Emma since we were teenagers, a friendship that had withstood time, separation and distance. No matter how much time passed between our get togethers we would always slip back into each others’ lives effortlessly. We didn’t need constant phone calls or catch-ups. In fact, sometimes we went for months without seeing each other. But when Emma called I would drop everything for her and she would do the same for me. It was a relationship that surpassed friendship and entered into something entirely ethereal. Emma with her big blue eyes and cascading Botticellian curls would boast “We’re soul sisters”. She believed that the universe was connected with vibrations and everything you are and received was a reflection of the vibrations you gave out. A pure soul, sometimes I often wondered what I had done to have such a gift in my life.

“Sexting on Kate’s dime? Really, Lexi!” Matt Laughed. I looked at his clear blue eyes, sensing no jealously or malice. He had taken up residence at Rachael’s empty desk so I was accustomed to his daily interruptions.

“Hot date tomorrow night with Power Station” I volunteered.

“Power Station? The band from New York?” He took a long look at me, re-evaluating and reassessing. “Lexi, I never would have pegged you as a groupie!”

“Whatever, Matt!” I replied, not the least bit annoyed. “Emma and I have tracked their career since the beginning; we’ve been to every show together, we have every album; their music is like a soundtrack for my life.” I tried to not sound like an over excited teenager.

Power Station was an all male 5 piece rock band straight out of New York City. Emma and I had stumbled across them 10 years ago when they were still nobodies, plugging their stuff on the now debunked My Space, trying to get a record deal. We followed their rise to fame when a major label finally signed them and we had even flown to New York together to watch their first stadium tour.

I remembered that warm July night, like it was yesterday. Sitting inside Meadowlands Stadium, our hands clasped together tightly, not fully comprehending we were actually there! The boys we had watched on grainy YouTube videos had become Rock Gods, owning their home crowd. It was both surreal and rewarding to think our earlier support had played a small part in their now monumental success. We had stumbled out of the stadium; our ears still been ringing when Emma asked, “Where are we?? Did that just happen?” We clung to each other, absorbing the experience and not wanting it to end. We had attracted the attention of two New Jersey State Troopers who asked if we were ok, clearly looking bewildered and overwhelmed.

“Are you girls from New Zealand?” State trooper 1 had asked. They looked like they could be twins, both men in their earlier 20s, had exceptionally athletic bodies, and were well over six feet. They also looked like they had both just left the Marine Corps with their buzzed haircuts and impeccable uniforms. Well Orrah! Uncle Sam, where do I sign up!?

“New Zealand!” I scoffed, “I’m from Australia! You want to start an international incident?” I flirted as Emma grabbed my arm, dragging me away before I could get into any more trouble.

“You know James is married, right?” Matt eyed me curiously, bringing me back to the present. He’d assumed like most people did that it was the charismatic lead singer I lusted after. Most women, regardless of their appreciation of the music, found James attractive. He was the typical all American guy and he knew how to shake his ass to work the crowd into a frenzy. His voice could be sweet and melodic or sexual and guttural. He had broken many hearts when he wed his high school sweetheart last year. Mine had not been one of them; it was never James I had dreamed about, it was Alex.

Alex Stone was born in Finland; his engineering father emigrated with his wife and two young sons when Alex was 3 years old. Alex grew up in the States, embracing the only country he’d known as home. He grew up playing sports and electric guitar; passions which had lead him to find James in High school. His 6’ 4” frame commanded attention, especially when combined with the stare of his ice blue Nordic eyes. Where James was sexy, Alex was pure SEX.

“Yes, I know James is married!” I scoffed. “Relax Matt, I doubt we’ll get that close.”

“Good.” He took a breath before continuing “I just don’t want you getting into trouble. I’m not sure how the bail conditions work here.” His eyes sparkled with mischief. “You know I’m only on a temporary visa, I’m fairly sure I won’t be able to vouch for you.” I threw my post-it notes at him, hitting him squarely on his perfectly formed jaw. We both erupted into laughter, much to the curious stares from our colleagues.

“Working hard?” Kate snapped abruptly. I hadn’t heard her walk up behind me.

“It’s my fault Kate, I was just sharing a joke with Lexi” Matt volunteered.

“Matt, while I appreciate your chivalrousness, I can assure you that Lexi needs no help in getting into trouble. Lexi... My office.” Kate stormed off without waiting for my response.

“Sorry Lexi, I tried…” Matt started.

“It’s ok. Trust me, I can handle Kate,” I reassured “I’ve known her long enough to know this isn’t an I’m pissed at you outburst and more I’m going to lose my shit if you don’t help me. I’ll be fine but thanks for trying to take the rap for me.” I took a deep breath and walked to Kate’s office.

Kate was sitting in her usual chair, perched behind her desk, strain clearly visible on her face. I entered and closed the door behind me, slightly unnerved by seeing my boss and friend looking defeated. I’d barely taken my seat when Kate started. “Lexi, I’m tired... I haven’t had a dinner at home with the boys in two weeks. I have spent the past hour on the phone with some asshole about chair covers. CHAIR COVERS?! I need to go home, I just need a night without someone wanting something from me.” Kate was human, she felt safe in confiding in me, knowing I would never use her weakness as leverage.

“Go home Kate. I’ve got this.” I put my arms around her and gave her a warm hug. Right now she was Kate my friend, not Kate my boss.

“I can’t Lexi, this fucking client has changed their function brief three times and I just fired the project manager. I need to go down to see them in person and fix this; it’s going to be an all-nighter.” I hadn’t seen her this exhausted in a long time. Clearly, it took a lot out of her to hold her shit together as well as she did.

“Go home! Give me the client details... trust me, I’ve got this. I’ll stay there all night if that’s what it takes. I’ll have them eating out of the palm of my hand. You know I can do this, Kate. This is why you hired me.” Kate couldn’t argue with me, she knew I was right. My value lay not only in my astute business skills but also in my ability to get the job done when others failed.

“You would really do this Lexi?” Kate asked, hope hanging in her voice.

“Of course! Especially seeing as you are going to give me a big fat bonus for doing it.” I quipped with a wink. Kate smiled, grabbed her handbag and keys. She gave me another quick hug before exiting the office. I picked up the function brief littered with red notations... Yep, this was going to be an all-nighter.

~~~~~~

“You sure you don’t want me to come with you and keep you company?” Matt asked when we arrived back at my apartment.

“And have two of us miss out on sleep? Where is the sense in that?” I reassured him. Besides, I worked better alone anyway. I had a “process” and I was more effective if I was left to do what I did best - AKA Get Shit Done!

I quickly ran into my bedroom and shucked my corporate wear for jeans, T-shirt and pair of steel capped boots. Overnight set-ups with function crew were hard work and you needed to be comfortable and have foot protection. I grabbed a jacket on the way out, the air had already cooled significantly and it was raining.

“Lexi... I hope you don’t mind but seeing as you don’t need my help, I invited Anna over to watch the game tonight.” Matt shifted uncomfortably. Anna had been flirting shamelessly with Matt for days and he seemed more than willing to reciprocate. I was surprised that I wasn’t annoyed; I guess we really were just friends.

“The Game?” I queried.

“Yeah ESPN is replaying Houston Texans verses the Jacksonville Jaguars and I promised Anna I’d explain how REAL football is played.” His eyes glistened.

“I’m sure it’s THE GAME she’s interested in…” I laughed. “It’s fine. You should treat this place like your home away from home. Just let me know if she is going to sleep over.”

Matt immediately stiffened. “I’m not going to sleep with her on a first date Lexi” he said, wearing the most uncomfortable look I’d ever seen on him.

“No judgements here” I laughed and walked out the door. I was glad at least one of us you be having a good night.