Page 11 of Broken Melody
“Please, make yourself comfortable. If you need anything to drink – water or coffee – help yourselves,” she says gesturing to a table that has both of those options before disappearing around a corner. The hallway is all frosted glass and I watch her frame move down the hall before she disappears.
“I’m going to go use the restroom really quick. I’ll be right back,” Britt says looking at me nervously likely not sure if she should leave me. I smile and nod, and she looks relieved as she smiles in return, “That’s my girl,” she whispers making me laugh and then leaves me alone in the waiting room.
I strain my ears to see if I can hear music or singing, but I’m met with silence. I’m sure the studio is sound proof, but aside from the soothing music playing from invisible speakers, I don’t hear a peep. Looking around I clear my throat and do a quick vocal exercise, just testing the waters. All is well, but I think keeping hydrated is a good idea, so I get a drink of water. Large urns hold coffee and hot water for tea. Tea bags, sugar packets, stirring sticks, cups and napkins are all available for use. There are also large glass beverage holders with various kinds of water. One has ice water with lemon, another ice water with cucumber, and one more with plain ice water. I’ve never seen so many options for water before. Reaching for one of the black plastic cups, I accidentally knock over a stack and they fall onto the table, then roll onto the floor and fly in various directions. “Shit!”
Checking the room quickly to make sure I’m still alone and no one saw, I begin picking up the cups, but quickly find that one has rolled under the table further than I can reach. I contemplate leaving it, but then with a sigh crawl on my hands and knees under the table to retrieve the damn thing. Placing them all back in a neat stack, I turn around eager to abandon even the thought of water. I think it’s better if I keep my hands to myself.
Spinning, I step away from the table and slam right into someone, “Oomph,” I mutter after running into a hard body. Backing up immediately, I begin stuttering, “I’m so sorry,” and find myself looking into the face of none other than Maddox Colt, the lead singer of Graffiti. Holy hell. “Oh my god,” keeps running through my mind over and over again as I stare at him. Thank the sweet baby Jesus in a manger that I’m not saying it out loud.
Maddox is holding a phone to his ear and is looking at me in clear annoyance. With a sigh he says into his phone, “Hang on.” Lowering his phone, he looks at me and says, “I can’t remember what your name is…. Barbara? Becky? Whatever, that’s not important,” he snaps his fingers, “Get me a glass of water with lemon would you?”
I don’t know why, but instead of telling him to get the damn water himself, I’m staring at him. I think it’s one part awe and one part disbelief. Then, I look from him to the table behind me. The water is right there. And he needs me to get it for him? “Oh, no…I’m not-” I begin to tell him who I am, but I’m interrupted by his fingers snapping. Again.
“Hello? Did you hear me? Can youplease, get me a water,” he says slowly emphasizing each word as if I’m dumb and didn’t hear him the first time.
Who the hell does this asshole think he is? I deliberately look from him, to the table that is only steps away, and back again. He simply ignores me. Oh, I’ll get him water all right. “Sure, coming right up,” I tell him with a smile. A smile that if he knew me at all, he’d know is derived from anything but kindness.
He puts the phone back to his ear, “Sorry, about that. Christ,” he curses, “My head is killing me. If I have to listen to one more of these auditions I’m going to hang myself,” he says to whoever is on the other end of the phone making my jaw drop. “Yeah the whole thing is fucking stupid. God yes. That sounds great. I’ll definitely take you up on that offer. I’ll see you at my place. I can use the stress reliever.” He laughs huskily, says something else and then hangs up the phone. Turning to me, he sees the glass I’m holding in my hand and holds his hand out to me expectantly. “Seriously, Bambi, why the hell is it so hard to get a water?”
Three things happen at the same time. Britt walks back into the room from the bathroom and sees me standing there. She only sees Maddox’s back, but she sees the look on my face and her eyes widen immediately. Bethany walks back into the room with Jace close behind her. Jace’s eyes meet mine and he begins to smile at the exact moment that I take my glass of water and throw it into Maddox’s face. “There’s your water, asshole.”
He sputters and spits, shock all over his face. I shove the glass into his chest so he has no choice but to reach out and take it. Britt runs to my side immediately, “Oh my god,” she says her eyes wide as saucers. When she glances at him, she does a double take, realizing who it is and once more says, “Oh my god.”
Looking at Jace, I worry I’ll find horror in his eyes and that he’ll kick me out immediately for being rude to Maddox, but when laughter rings out, I’m startled to find that it’s his. He pushes Maddox aside and walks up to me, “Sailor. I see you’ve already met Maddox.”
“Uh, sorry? He snapped and cursed at me, called me Bambi and told me to get him a glass of water.” I look at Britt, “And by snapped I mean he literally snapped his fingers at me.” I tell her as if this is enough of an explanation, but emphasize my point by now snapping my fingers inhisface. His eyes blink rapidly in surprise. “Yeah, how do you like it asshole?”
Britt, God bless her, nods and slings her arm through mine, “Understood,” she says as she gives Maddox a look that could kill.
“What the actual fuck?” Maddox says behind Jace, but no one pays him any attention.
“If I know anything at all it’s that he deserved what he got, so please, no apology necessary. Come on - follow me. I’m glad you made it.” He stops after a step, “Oh, Bethany, looks like Maddox needs a towel, do you mind?”
She’s wearing a shocked look on her face, but I detect a note of pride in her eyes. My guess is she’s dealt with Maddox’s attitude herself. Poor girl. “No, not at all,” she says and hurries to do what he asks. I sneak a quick look at Maddox and find that he’s looking from me to Bethany, realization at his error evident. Walking past him, I follow Jace with Britt at my side. When we are in the hallway, Britt whispers in my ear, “He’s an ass. Too bad because he’s hot as hell.”
When Jace turns to me with humor in his eyes, I can’t help but smile. “I’m so glad you’re here, Sailor. I’m excited for you to meet the rest of the guys. Are you ready for this?” he asks me with eagerness and kindness in his tone and on his face.
Nodding, I answer, “As ready as I’ll ever be.”
With a nod, we continue our pace until we reach the end of the hallway where he opens yet another set of frosted glass doors and holds them open for Britt and me to walk through. Nerves jet like missile projectiles in my belly and I nervously glance at Britt. “You’ve got this,” she whispers to me and I nod. It’s funny, instead of feeling dread because of what just happened with Maddox, it makes me feel empowered. Ignoring the looming presence that’s suddenly appeared at my back, I smile as I enter the room. I’m ready to meet the rest of the band, and show them why I’m the girl they’re going to want.
