“Sure has,” agreed Jake before adding with a laugh, “Rich must be pissing himself at us trying to sort this out.”
“Well, as long as he’s watching over us on the night, we’ll be sweet,” growled Grey sourly.
With only two days to go before the show, tensions were running high in the rehearsal studio at JJL. Silver Lake had been holed up there all week and, by Thursday lunchtime, nerves were beginning to show and tempers were short.
“Fucking piece of shit!” yelled Paul as he split his third drum head of the week.
Dodging a flying drumstick, Jake said, “A new batch will be here tomorrow. We know there’s s flaw with those. Chill, Paul.”
“I know. I know,” he grumbled as he got off his stool to fetch a fresh drum head.
“Let’s grab some lunch,” suggested Grey, aware of his stomach rumbling.
“Can we run through Vortex first?” asked Jake as he adjusted the tuning on his Mz Hyde custom.
“Ok, then I’m doing a burger run,” stated Grey. “Where’s Todd? We need him for this one.”
“Restroom,” replied Jake. “When did we last play this one? Two? Three years ago?”
“Must be,” nodded Grey. “Fans always did like it.”
“Yeah but it’s a tough one to sing then carry off the rest of the set.”
“You happy enough with it slotted in just before the acoustic set?” checked Paul. “We could move it up nearer the end. Swap it round with Another Turn Of The Screw?”
“It’s good where it is. Tuning works for the guitar changes too.”
Agreeing the running order of the eighteen songs had been an arduous task. The three musicians had spent the best part of a day in the basement at the beach house debating different combinations before finally agreeing on the setlist in front of them. Each of them had voiced their personal concerns then, when they’d shown Todd the plans, he’d added his fears to the mix. Although he’d played on a semi-regular basis as a third guitarist, the younger man was anxious that his presence on stage would be seen as an attempt to fill Rich’s shoes. Resuming teacher/mentor mode, Jake had spoken to him at length, reassuring him that the band needed him on stage and that it was what Rich would’ve wanted too.
“Vortex!” called out Grey as Todd returned to the room.
“Got it,” answered Todd as he slipped his guitar strap back across his shoulders.
It took them three attempts before Jake was happy with the arrangement. Vortex was always a song he’d enjoyed a love/hate relationship with. While the vocals were all in his mid-range, the music was more technical and the solos were tricky.
“Good job!” called out Paul. “Lunch!”
“Great job on that solo, Todd,” complimented Jake sincerely. “You nailed it.”
“Thanks, boss.”
“Ok, who wants what for lunch?” asked Grey.
With their food orders placed, Grey and Todd left to fetch lunch while Paul said he was going outside to call Maddy. In need of some caffeine, Jake wandered back across to the main building. There was no one in the live room but Dr Marrs was working in his office. A familiar jacket and bag lay on one of the couches in the lounge. As he made a fresh pot of coffee, Jake could hear voices coming from the office.
Just as he was adding the half’n’half to his coffee, he felt a movement behind him.
“Hi, Jake.”
There was a seductive purr to the greeting.
“Hi, Nicole,” he replied as he turned round. “What brings you out here?”
“I had an appointment with Dr Marrs to pick up the demo CDs,” explained the music teacher, taking a step towards him.
“Jim gave me a copy last night. Sounds great.”
“The kids are coming into school tomorrow to hear it. Want to join us?” she invited, inching closer. “They’d love it if you were there.” She paused. “I’d love it if you were there.”
“I don’t know,” began Jake, starting to feel flustered by her close proximity. “We’ve still a lot of work to do out here before Saturday.”
“We’re meeting at one-thirty,” continued Nicole. “See what you can manage.”
Before Jake could stop her, Nicole had reached out and gently run her hand down his arm until she was holding his hand.
“I miss working with you,” she whispered into his ear.
“Nicole,” began Jake in protest.
His words were lost as she kissed him full on the lips. Twisting her fingers in his long blonde hair, she kissed him harder, trying to prise his lips apart with the tip of her tongue.
“Stop!” said Jake sharply, pushing her away. “That’s not a good idea.”
“Oh, come on, Jake,” countered Nicole smoothly. “Don’t be shy. One kiss. Where’s the harm in that?”
“I’m married, Nicole. Happily married.”
Placing her hand on the front of his jeans, Nicole said, “Are you?”
“Yes,” said Jake calmly as he removed her hand. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to get back to work.”
Lifting his coffee, Jake sidestepped out of her reach and left her gazing after him.
Once safely back out in the blazing hot August sun, he let out a long sigh. His mind was racing. What in the hell had just happened? He had guessed that Nicole was attracted to him but he hadn’t bargained on her making such obvious advances towards him. Much to his annoyance, he could feel himself partially aroused by her touch but he’d meant what he’d said. He was happily married and had no intention of breaking his wedding vows. There was only one woman he wanted and it wasn’t Nicole Tonriverdi.
“You ok?” asked Grey as Jake re-entered the rehearsal room.
“Yeah. Why?” he replied a little too fast and a little
