Chapter Eight
Ariel arrived ten minutes late for their off the record rehearsal. Zeke took that ten minutes to mess with some lyrics. Something along the lines of regrets, women, the good life, and wanting something soothing for a worn out soul poured onto the paper. He picked up the electric guitar and fiddled with a few riffs when he heard the door open and a pair of heels clicked across the floor.
Sure enough, she had a cup of coffee in her hands and a deer in the headlights look, as if he'd caught her doing something she shouldn't be.
“Oh God, I hope I didn't interrupt your songwriting. I know how it is to lose concentration!”
He laughed and set the guitar down. “Why the hell would you think about apologizing for walking in to your own rehearsal?”
Heat crept up in her cheeks. “Good point, but...”
“No buts. Sure, you interrupted, but I got enough of the song down to pick up the beat later. Except for this. If you don't mind, I want to record this riff. I don't have any sheet music on me.” He pulled out the mini recorder that went everywhere with him.
“By all means. I'll just sip my coffee.” Ariel slid onto the couch across from him, crossing her legs at the ankles.
Zeke fiddled with the knobs, hit record on the device, and played a minute worth of music before he was satisfied. “There,” he said, slipping the recorder into his pocket and setting the guitar on its stand.
“I'm going to freak out later if this becomes your biggest hit and I walked in on it. I can see the headlines now.” Ariel shot him an amused grin.
Zeke chuckled. “I'll mention your name. Tell the world how this hot, feisty redhead attempted to kill my writing mojo during her own rehearsal. If I list your name, the screaming, rabid fans will come running after you. They'll ask what I was wearing, what my expression looked like, and about my mood. They won't leave you alone for years while this song races up the charts. You sure you're ready for that?”
She nearly spewed her coffee. Face turning red, Ariel coughed. Zeke took her cup from her and set it down on the floor, then patted her back until she was able to breathe again. There was really no reason for it, but he wanted an excuse to touch and get close to her again.
“Sorry.” He grinned sheepishly when her coughing fit ended. “Didn't mean to make you choke.”
“Your comment caught me so off guard! The problem is, it's funny and scary at the same time, and I have no idea whether you're joking or not!”
“It's true,” Zeke said quietly. “I mean, that kind of thing happens.” This business can and would break the most vulnerable people. Ariel fit that type to a T. “How bad do you want this, Ariel?”
She was taken aback by his question. Her gaze hardened. “I don't want it by myself, honestly. I don't feel anywhere near ready. I want this with Lucy. She's always been my singing partner. The one to get me out of my shell. This is so weird without her.” Tears accentuated her eyes. “I don't know what I'm doing. What the hell happens if I win? I didn't think this through, you know? Not that I feel I have a good chance of winning.”
“Don't sell yourself short. You've got talent. You just need to learn to open up and really sing. Let it all out. You have just as good of a shot at winning this competition as anyone this season, and for the next two hours, you're all mine. Ready for some singing?” Zeke stood and held out a hand, knowing all too well another simple touch would send him over the edge, but he couldn't help himself.
Why did he always find himself reaching out for the vulnerable ones?
*****
“There. Right there. You nailed it!” Zeke clapped his hands an hour after they officially started rehearsal. “Sing just like that, and you'll have the crowd in the palm of your hand.” He handed her a water bottle, which she gladly accepted.
“Can I admit something without you judging me?” Ariel asked after downing a quarter of the water.
“Judge you? Why would I?” His eyes narrowed and the depths of them went straight to her core.
She shrugged, wishing it hadn't slipped out. “You seem to be a little judgmental about my type of music.”
He was about to drink his own water, but his hand halted as he stared her way. “Okay, so I'm not a fan of pop. Without realizing it, I've kind of lumped all pop singers as hard to work with divas. I'm not a huge fan of reality shows, either, but I'm learning a lot here on Sing It!. Anyway, what is it you wanted to admit?”
“Singing and performing is harder work than I expected,” Ariel nearly whispered. “There's so much that goes with it, aside from performing: media, wardrobe, stage presence... It's overwhelming.”
Zeke stepped toward her. “It can be. My advice? Let the music move you. Forget the rules. Forget your outfits and makeup and all the media hype. Allow your body and soul to get lost in the song. Think of an emotional ballad. Something that moves you lyrically and makes you feel.”
“Mariah Carey's Without You,” came her automatic response. The song and lyrics meant more to her now that Lucy was in a coma. This had been one of their songs.
“Okay. Think about the importance of the song to you. Listen to the lyrics in your head. Then, close your eyes and let it all out.” Zeke's hands were on her shoulders. “Don't think about anything else.”
How the hell was she supposed to concentrate with the man's hands on her? Ariel's thoughts went haywire. But the moment ended, and Zeke's hands were gone from her shoulders.
Taking in his advice, she focused. Thoughts of Lucy filled her head. Good memories. Happy times. How, with ease, her best friend always found a way to bring Ariel out of her quiet, reserved shell. The one her mother and father worked so hard to shelter.
Then she opened her mouth and let it all out.
When the song ended, Ariel braced for Zeke's reaction. Tears were in her eyes.
“Your voice cracked at the end,” he said softly. “What were you thinking about?”
“Lucy. She's been my rock, and I miss her.”
“And that song was one of your favorites to sing with her?”
She nodded, almost ready to break down. Damn. She'd definitely gotten in touch with her inner soul.
“Don't get mad at me, but I recorded you while singing. So, here's what we're going to do. We'll watch one of your performances from the show versus this one. Ready?” Zeke pulled out his phone and beckoned for her to move closer.
“You-” she sputtered.
“I didn't want to tell you. That way you could focus. I want you to see the difference, and there's a huge one.”
Did all singers cringe when they watched themselves perform, or was that just her? Damn. Was that how she looked on live television? Awkward!
By the time Zeke played the second one, Ariel's nasty habit of nail biting surfaced, and she didn't even realize it until Zeke gently pulled her hand from her mouth, wiped her fingers on his shirt, then closed his fingers over hers. Tingles shot straight to her core.
“Your first performance was good. I heard your voice and your style. But this one...” Zeke squeezed her hand. “I felt it. You transformed. Everything you gave went right into the song. Tell me you see the difference.”
“Play today's again,” Ariel whispered. He was right. She'd noticed the difference. She'd almost think her eyes deceived her, but there was no mistaking it was her- not just singing, but performing.
He hit replay and never let go of her hand. Ariel's heart raced. She tried to concentrate a hundred percent on the video, but the feel of Zeke's fingers twined with hers became too much of a distraction.
“See? You've got this. You just needed a little direction and guidance, that's all. It's all within you.” He set his phone down on the arm of the couch and slowly guided her to turn around. His eyes were full of warmth and pride.
Inches apart, still fully aware of the tingle his hands sent along hers, Ariel licked her lips. She sucked in a lungful of air. She should move. Now. Before something like kissing-.
Zeke cupped the back of her head, tender yet rough, and pulled her against him. His lips sought hers in a tantalizing, forbidden kiss.
Just as abruptly as it began, the kiss ended. Zeke pulled away and covered his lips. “That shouldn't have happened. We're damn lucky the cameras weren't on, since this was an impromptu rehearsal.” Guilt flashed across his face. “You're so tempting, Ariel. How the hell are we supposed to do this?”
“I-” Heart racing a million miles a minute, she took a step back, trying to process all of this.
“Listen to me. Before you go and think all sorts of things about me, about us, about that kiss, I want you to know something.” Zeke's voice came out edgy. “I'm attracted to you. But we can't do this because for one, you're a contestant and I'm a judge. Plus, Jared would kill me.”
“I get the one about a forbidden relationship. I read the terms several times before signing. But Jared? He has no say, Zeke.” Ariel's anger surged.
Speaking of Jared, her phone ring with his familiar ring tone. “I have to go. I have papers to sign about last night.”
“What? What are you signing?” Zeke's eyes bore into hers.
“Just some kind of waiver that I don't talk about what happened. Not that big a deal, since you stopped anything before it got worse.” She grabbed her purse, both eager and a little disappointed to have to leave Zeke, even though they couldn't kiss again no matter how bad she wanted to.
“Are you serious?” He fumed. “Why would you agree to that?”
Okay, wrong thing to say to him apparently. “Gotta go. Thank you for today. It was...very eye opening.” Ariel dashed out the door, eager to get away from the tension that surrounded them. Yeah, they'd gone way too far with the kiss.
That could not happen again.