Chapter Nine
Xander (Thursday)
“Ooh, you’re here before me today,” I teased Michael as I walked up to the counter of the coffee shop to order my drink: latte with sugar, the same as I had every single day. Maybe I was a creature of habit, but it’d gotten me this far in life. I wasn’t about to change my routine now, especially not today. Today was about to be a very important one.
It took him a couple of minutes, but he finally dragged his eyes up out of his phone to greet me. “Oh, hey, how’s it going? You looking forward to today?”
I nodded happily as I took the drink. “I am, actually; and I think you will, too, once you see them.”
I had faith in Lila and Kyle. I knew they’d do us proud today, and I was excited to be proven right. Michael might have raised his eyebrows at me, but that didn’t matter. It wouldn’t be long until he saw for himself. “It’s going to be awesome.”
“Well, that’s why I’m early. I thought we should get there first and make a plan of some kind. I know we’ve talked about it a lot, but haven’t actually decided what we’re looking for and what we’ll do when we find it.”
“Sure, sure,” I answered casually with a smile just for myself. This was Michael’s roundabout way of telling me that he was looking forward to this. He wasn’t the type to just admit it, especially when he’d already shot the idea down, but I knew him well enough to know. “Okay, let’s take our drinks with us, then we can talk.”
I asked the lady for takeaway cups, then we started walking toward the studio, chatting casually about all unrelated things. Just as I was about to delve into the topic of Steph to give us something else to talk about – and also because I was very intrigued to find out what was happening there – he put his hand out in front of me to stop me in my tracks.
“Is that them?” he gasped in shock. “Are they actually here early? So early that they beat us?”
I glanced to where he was looking to spot Lila and Kyle standing there outside the studio, waiting for us. We were early, but they were even earlier, which was a very good sign. They were eager, and they didn’t think they were so good that we should work around them. Sure, they looked like they were trying too hard in their matching outfits, but I kinds liked that, too. It meant they were willing to impress.
“It sure is.” I grinned at Michael. “You’ll love them, just trust me.”
I walked ahead of him, not wanting to hear it if he had any derogatory remarks to make. All he needed to do was give them a shot. He only had to listen and he’d see exactly what I meant. They were the ones for us.
“Hi, guys.” I smiled widely at them both. Kyle was the one who looked anxious this time. Lila looked like she was brimming with confidence. Maybe that was what the amazing show at the fundraiser had done for her. If so, that was great because if she looked as sickly now as she had then, I had the horrible feeling that Michael would just turn away. “This is Michael, and this is Lila and Kyle.”
As I unlocked the doors, they all shook hands and exchanged some small talk, getting to know one another. It made me happy to hear Lila saying so much. She was giving off the impression that she had it all under control, that she knew what she had going for her. It was amazing, and I hoped it continued into the studio time. The worst thing would be for either of them to freeze up.
“All right, guys, let’s go inside.”
I gave them a tour of the building, showing them the place I was proudest of in the world. It felt good to have their appreciation and adoration; it reminded me of why I’d gotten into this in the first place. Although, the more I listened, the more I realized that Kyle wasn’t doing any of the talking, which meant it was no surprise when I sent them into the room and Michael pulled me to one side.
“What’s wrong with the guy?” he hissed at me, looking as if he had something to actually be concerned about. “I don’t think he’s said one word.”
“Haven’t you ever heard of nerves?” I rolled my eyes at him. “Or are you just so used to working with overconfident assholes now that you don’t know what it looks like?”
“Touché.” He nodded appreciatively. “I suppose you’re right. Silence is better than being a little shit.”
I opened my mouth, ready to tell him again that he had to just trust my judgment, before I snapped it shut once more. If he hadn’t got that yet, then there wasn’t much hope of it happening any time soon. Not with just my argument, anyway.
I turned toward the microphone, knowing this was the best way of getting my argument out there. “Whenever you guys are ready to start, give me a thumbs up. Then I’ll hit record, and we can get this show on the road.”
Kyle was behind the piano, his eyes narrowed in determination, and Lila looked like she was on another planet entirely. Maybe they didn’t instantly look like stars, maybe they weren’t sure about how things worked, but in my mind, that was all positives working in their favor. We could be the ones to polish them up. How could that be a bad thing?
“Why are you recording them together?” Michael asked me, confused. We always did the music and singing separately, but I felt like this pair would work better together, and I had been thinking it’d help Lila with her nerves. I hadn’t bet on them switching places on that one. Still, it looked like the pep talk Lila was giving Kyle was helping somewhat.
“So you can hear what they sound like as a duo.” I shook my head, acting like this should’ve been obvious. “You weren’t at the fundraiser with me, so you don’t know what they sound like together. I want you to get a feel for them so you know what we can do with it.”
“Oh... Right...” He sounded so put out by that statement that I felt a bit bad for making it up on the spot. “Okay, sure; let’s get them going.”
Not long after that, Lila gave us the thumbs up so I hit the record button, and as soon as that beautiful melody burst free from her lips, I could see Michael’s eyebrows unfurling, the stress falling away from his features. He leaned in closer, showing his interest and seeing what I’d seen that night. He could feel the magic; he probably had goosebumps, too. If their music affected both of us in that way, chances were they could make a go of things.
“Whoa,” he eventually gasped, giving in completely. “They’re much better than I was expecting. He’s so damn good on the piano, and her voice... it’s breathtaking.” I let out a breath I hadn’t even realized I was holding in anticipation. “I mean, they are incredible together. How haven’t they been picked up before?”
Thank God. I had to admit that I was anxious he wouldn’t see things my way. I was scared I’d imagined their talent to be better than it was in my desperation to find someone, but he’d confirmed it now. It was all good.
“I honestly think the fundraiser was the first time they performed together in front of anyone... Which is why we need to snap them up now. If we don’t get them, someone else will.”
“Yeah.” He nodded. “I see what you mean. This is exactly what we wanted. They’re so unique. Even their look is different. It’s perfect.”
“Are you admitting that I’m right?” I smirked, excited to hear him say it aloud. “It’s just that I’ve never known you to admit defeat before.”
“Oh, don’t be such a dickhead.” He laughed at me. “Yes, you were right. I think we should roll with these two. They have something special, okay?”
“Okay, I’ll take that.” I made a mock note on my calendar. “The one day Michael admitted that he was wrong.”
“Don’t make me take it back,” he shot back warningly. “Now shut up, I’m trying to listen.”
As he sat back to watch them play, I thought I could see more than admiration in his eyes. I got the feeling that he was looking at Lila with something else, too, which sent an inexplicable jealousy tearing through me. I wasn’t sure why – it wasn’t like I had any intention of asking out a girl who could potentially be about to work for me – but I didn’t want him to like her in that way, either. And not just for business.
Maybe I just felt protective over her, like she was mine because I’d found her, but I had the uncomfortable sense that it was much more than that. I couldn’t like her, that was crazy. But I definitely didn’t want Michael to, either.
“I mean, she’s just wonderful,” he announced once more, shaking his head and smiling. In that moment, it took all that I had not to completely fall apart.
“I know,” I replied through gritted teeth. “I think her singing voice is incredible.”
Michael shot me a weird look, but luckily, he didn’t question me further. I couldn’t explain what I was feeling to myself, never mind anyone else!
“So, we want these guys, am I right?” he asked. “I think we should set up a contract with them, get them recording an album with us. The sooner we get rolling on this one the better.”
“I agree.” I did my best to get my head out of... wherever it was and back into business. “I think we need to act before someone else does, and from what I can gather, there was a lot of interest at the fundraiser.”
“You must be their first choice or they wouldn’t be here.”
“Maybe you’re right, but I’m not willing to bet everything on that. We need to sign these guys up now and make some decisions about where we want to go next.”
Michael watched once more, tuning me out. For a second, I allowed myself to get lost in the music, too. When I listened to Lila sing, it was easy to forget where I was, it was easy to feel like she was only singing for me – and that was the sign of a star. She captivated me, entranced me, and wasn’t generic at all.
“So, do you want to give them the good news, or shall I?” Michael finally asked as they started to draw to a close. “I can’t wait to see the looks on their faces.”
“Oh, I’m telling them!” I announced, jumping up quickly. “I found them so I’m the one who gets to give them the good news.”
I moved away quickly, not wanting him to jump up and steal my thunder, which I knew he was very capable of doing. Pushing the door open, I found two very anxious faces staring back at me. Neither Lila now Kyle knew how well they’d done. I absolutely couldn’t wait to put them out of their misery.