Face the Music (A Brothers of Rock - GONE BY AUTUMN - Novel) (2 page)

“Asshole behind us,” Asher said.

Sam looked in the mirror and groaned. He put the car in drive and took off. He sped through the back lot and made it out onto the road.

“Sorry about that,” Sam said when they got on the highway.

“Sorry for what?” Asher asked.

“Speeding. Does it bother you?”

“Not at all. Why?”

“Well, after the accident… doesn’t it make you nervous?”

Asher laughed. “Nothing scares me, Sam. I did nothing wrong in that situation. You and I both know that.”

“You have to make a decision on this thing,” Sam said. “Pursue it or let it go. Either way you need to release a statement. The stories…”

“Fuck the stories,” Asher growled. “Let them make up shit. I don’t care anymore. They can say whatever they want about me. I was drinking. I was high. I was racing. I was being pleasured at the time of the accident. Whatever. It’s bringing eyes to the band, right?”

“Not good ones,” Sam said. “You guys are really working that bad boy rockstar angle.”

“Yeah, sure thing,” Asher said. “Just take me to the band, okay? I need some music to soothe my soul.”

That, a beer… and a woman who won’t ask any questions.

**

Asher heard a Gone by Autumn song being played on guitar. It didn’t sound good, but it wasn’t all that bad either. It definitely wasn’t Tanner or Gabe playing; Asher could tell the different styles.

Halfway down the hallway, a guy stood with a leg up against the wall, an unplugged electric guitar in his hands.

“What’s up, man?” Asher asked.

“Hey, nothing much. Name’s JT.”

“JT. What’s going on in there?”

“Isn't it your place?” JT asked with a grin.

“Yeah.”

Asher walked by JT and opened the door. He couldn’t believe the sight. There was some guy with long, dirty hair standing in front of Asher's amp with a different guitar, jamming. Blake behind the drums, carrying the beat, Tanner playing a guitar.

Asher stuck his fingers into his mouth and let out a long whistle.

The song stopped suddenly.

“Holy shit,” the stranger playing guitar said. “Asher’s here.”

“Yeah, Asher’s here,” Asher said. “What the hell is going on?”

Ryan and Gabe jumped up.

“Asher,” Ryan said. “Thought you had a doctor’s appointment.”

“Did. Finished up. Nothing I can do but wait.”

“Cool,” Ryan said. “We’re trying out some guitar players. Just to stand in for right now. Like we talked about.”

“We talked about this?” Asher asked.

Gabe laughed. “Come on, man. You knew we were doing this. We talked about it two nights ago.”

“Two nights ago,” Asher said. He tapped a finger to his chin. “Oh, that was the night we had that expensive wine with dinner when we met with Sam and the concert promotion company, right? Yeah, all I remember about that night was that I was drunk when I took that bartender back to her place.”

Gabe nodded. “That’s the night.”

“You could have joined me,” Asher said. “We could have had some crazy fun with her, man.”

“Yeah, somehow I don’t think Sabrina would have been too pleased with that.”

“Why not?” Asher asked. “She could have come along too.”

“Christ,” Ryan said. “You don’t let anything get to you, do you?”

“Depends on the situation,” Asher said. “My hand? It bothers me, sure. But I’ll get through it. Seeing someone in my spot right now, that really pisses me off.”

“Nobody is replacing you,” Ryan said. “We need the extra help for the next few shows. You know that, man.”

“And you’re doing this without me?”

Ryan shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t know. We had time. Couple of guys were willing to try out. Didn’t think you would want to be here for it, because we know it can't be easy to see.”

Asher nodded. He looked around the loft. He had spent the last few days trying to stay calm. But the truth was the entire situation was a joke. If he decided to go after the photographers that chased him, the press would spearhead it all. The idea of lawyers and litigation made his stomach turn. But if he just let it go, what would happen next? How far would these people go for a story about Gone by Autumn? He could feel his blood boiling.

“Talk to me, man,” Ryan said. “You want hear this guy play? He’s not all that bad.”

Asher locked eyes with Ryan and shook his head. “Not all that bad? He missed four notes on the main riff, didn’t play the actual full power chord, has the gain way too fucking thick for the song, and he’s picking everything down instead of up and down. There’s no smooth transition between anything…”

“Whoa,” Gabe said. “Christ, man. He’s not going on a world tour or anything. Just trying to help us out.”

Asher's fuse was already short and that comment blew it up. He rammed his right shoulder into Ryan, knocking him back. He would have done the same damn thing to Gabe, but he feared fucking up his left hand even more.

“Asher,” Gabe growled.

But Asher had his sights on the stage area. The guitarist on stage had wide, bloodshot eyes. The dude was either drunk or high, and that’s not how they did things in the band. Yeah, the partying and the lifestyle was incredibly fun to experience, but not this. Not when you are supposed to be practicing. Not when you are trying to make something beautiful to share with the world.

“Hey, Asher,” the guy said. “I’m such a big fan. You guys are so good. And I’m just, like, humbled, you know? Man? It’s…”

Asher reached for the cord and tore it out of the amp head. He then tossed it over the guy’s shoulder.

“Get out of here,” Asher said. “Now.”

“Whoa, whoa,” the guy said. “I didn’t get an answer…man…”

“You want an answer?” Asher asked. “Go home and keep playing. Pretend you’re on stage. Get the hell out of here.”

The guy nodded as though he didn’t care. He probably didn’t realize just how angry Asher was.

“That was necessary, huh?” Blake asked as he stood from the drum kit.

The door shut, the guy was gone, and the room was silent.

“Doc told me I could start messing around,” Asher said. “Which means I’m almost ready to go.”

“That’s great, man,” Tanner said. “We’ll be all set to take over the world then, right? All we are doing right now is trying to keep the buzz going. You’re still going to be at the shows. Whether you like it or not.”

“What am I going to do?” Asher asked. “Smack a tambourine off my leg?”

“If that’s what it takes,” Ryan said. “I’m sure the ladies will love a man who can play a mean tambourine.”

“I hate you,” Asher said. “Who was the guy out in the hall?”

“That was the next one to try out,” Gabe said. “Came highly recommended. He played some serious shows with some heavy hitters. Never struck it big though.”

“Why not?”

“I don’t know,” Gabe said. “I don’t really care either. I’m more concerned about him playing the songs and helping us keep the next few shows from being cancelled.”

“We had that meeting with Mr. Jacksenne. It’s a big deal what’s happening.”

“I hate all that stuff,” Asher said.

“It’s what comes next,” Tanner said.

“So how about it?” Ryan asked. “Can we invite JT in here to jam?”

“I don’t care,” Asher said. “Bring him in.”

Ryan left the room and returned with JT. The guy had a relaxed look about himself. He didn’t exude confidence, but he wasn’t scared as hell to be in front of a group of rockstars. He intrigued Asher.

When JT took the stage, he looked right at Asher. “Do you mind if I plug in?”

Asher curled his lip as if the whole thing annoyed him. He respected JT though for asking. As though this was an honor and privilege to be here. Which it goddamn was.

“Not at all,” Asher said.

“What are we running through?” Ryan asked.

“Wait a second,” Asher said. “Tanner, start playing a song. And then you, JT, come in eight bars later.”

Everyone looked at Asher. He knew he was acting like a prick, but so be it. He hated the idea of someone else being on stage with Gone by Autumn, especially since this wasn’t Asher’s fault.

“Awesome,” JT said.

Tanner hit an open chord and looked back at Blake. They nodded and Blake gave a four count with his drumsticks. Tanner started to play a song and the sound went through Asher’s body like fire. That passion for music came from deep within. It wasn’t something that could be learned. It was something you were born with. The inability to not tap your foot during a song. The inability for Asher’s left fingers not to gently move, as though he were playing a guitar.

He counted in his head and looked at JT, who started playing right on cue.

Goddamnit, he started at the right time with the right riff. He was spot on, working with Tanner, not against him. He wasn’t afraid to play with Tanner either. He didn’t try to overpower him. JT was completely relaxed in this moment.

Asher waved a hand and yelled, “Go into the solo. I want to see this happen.”

Ryan leaned over and knocked his knee into Asher’s knee. “Dude, don’t be a dick.”

“Shut up, Ryan. He wants to do this? I’ll test him.”

Tanner played the bridge of the song, letting both Blake and JT catch up. When it came time to solo, Tanner started it off the way the song was written to be. Asher inched forward in his seat and focused on JT’s fingers. Tanner wrapped up his part of the solo and then JT started.

Note for note, it was perfect. Beautifully written by Asher, of course, but played beautifully by JT.

Asher stood up and walked away. With his back to the stage, he heard the song get cut off.

“Asher?” Tanner yelled.

Asher headed out the door. He stood in the hallway and looked down. He opened his hand, and then closed it. Repeating the motion three more times, his muscles felt tight and sore.

Not yet, man. Not quite yet.

The door opened behind him. “I’m not in the mood.”

“I get it,” JT’s voice said. “I was just seeing myself out.”

Asher looked at JT. “What’s wrong? You quit?”

“No. I played my part. It’s your band, Asher. Not mine. I’m not going to stand there and try to get in the middle of anything. I just love guitar. I love playing.”

“Why aren’t you in a band, touring?” Asher asked.

“Haven’t found the right people yet,” JT said.

“You really want to do this? Play shows?”

“I’d love to, man. I love being up on stage playing music that people enjoy. It’s a beautiful feeling.”

“Yeah, it is.”

“Hey, you keep flexing your hand,” JT said. “You need anything? Ice or something?”

“How about a shot of whiskey?” Asher asked.

“I’ve got a bottle in the trunk of my car.”

Asher smiled. “You got the gig, JT. We’ll see how this all goes.”

“Awesome, man. Thank you. And when everything falls back into place, I’m gone. I’m not going to try to steal any light. I hope you know that.”

Asher turned and faced JT. “Don’t fuck up, okay? That’s all I’m going to say. Just don’t fuck up.”

(2)

Jocelyn clicked the button and the picture on the screen changed to the last design. There was no explanation needed for the dress, it was the showcase design she had been working on for a month now. It was comfortable yet sleek. The hope was that someone famous would take a chance and wear it during a movie premiere or an awards show. That would ultimately skyrocket Jocelyn’s design business even more than its current steady growth. Truth be told, she was quite happy with the way things had been going over the last two quarters.

Jocelyn caught herself staring at the screen longer than needed. Smiling and admiring the work.

“Well, with that, uh, unsaid,” a voice chimed in, “we feel that the next quarter should be at least another twenty percent growth. The exchange in equity makes the investment quite obtainable and smart. We have a proven thing here, gentlemen…”

Jocelyn turned, almost expecting to see the other side of her bedroom. She had spent hundreds of days and nights drawing pictures and pretending to be a famous designer. Her board of directors consisted of stuffed bears and other animals. Clients were dolls and toys.

Jocelyn laughed to herself and looked over to Chad who stood with a pen in his hand, pointing at the group of investors. They were all part of some group Chad was part of, and he was selling hard to get their cash. Jocelyn didn’t quite get why her business needed another round of investors. The last time she checked, they were cash heavy and had plenty of designs to keep the business going. But what Chad wanted, he always got.

“I thank you for your time,” Chad said. “It’s been a pleasure.”

“Yes, it has,” Jocelyn added. “I cannot tell you how much it means to me to see this dream come true…”

Chad put a hand out and looked at Jocelyn. “That’s enough,” he whispered. “This isn’t a fucking TV show.”

Jocelyn froze and her heart jumped a few beats. She hated when Chad talked like that. She felt her face turn bright red, now embarrassed in front of a group of three men and two women.

They all rose, one at a time. Each time someone looked at Jocelyn Chad was there to dive in the way and talk about business. Jocelyn felt her blood starting to boil a little. What was wrong with showing a little emotion right now? What was wrong with showing appreciation for their time? Wouldn’t it be easier for them to invest if they knew just how passionate Jocelyn was about all this?

Chad thought differently and personally escorted the group of investors out of the meeting room. The office area was just big enough for what Jocelyn needed. Of course, the guy that owned the building was an associate of Chad’s, so it worked to their benefit.

Jocelyn pulled out a chair and sat down. She looked down at the screen of her tablet. She scrolled the current designs one more time. They were good. Very good. She had a concept for children’s clothing, but Chad told her to scrap it. That they "weren’t going into the bargain basement."

The door opened and Chad came in, hands in his pockets.

“How did that go?” Jocelyn asked, smiling.

“After I saved it? Well.”

“Saved… what?”

“Christ, Jocelyn,” Chad said. “You were eye humping the last dress. What did I tell you about this? You can’t show attachment. This is a business. These are products. We need the investments to keep growing.”