Page 45 of Broken Melody
“No,” Maddox says loudly. “Not happening.”
“Excuse me?”
“It was working just fine yesterday, and all the times we sang it before that,” Maddox snaps back at me, and the truth is, I deserve it. I’m acting like a brat but I can’t seem to stop myself.
“What’s your point?”
“My point,” he practically sneers, “Is that we aren’t changing it. Not now.”
“Yes, we are,” I insist and look at the other guys to help me, but none of them are looking at me. I get the feeling they agree with Maddox but don’t want to say so.
“I said no. The time for us to have changed the music is over – that’s why we spent all the time we did practicing first, before recording. Either get it right, or don’t sing that part at all. We’ll do it without you.”
“Fuck you,” I say pointing at him. “Who the hell do you think you are?”
“I think I’m the guy that’s been part of this band since we formed it, that had the idea to start it. I’m the guy that isn’t going to be told what to do by some part time member we were forced to hire.”
“Jesus,” Nixon curses and shakes his head.
“Dude, seriously?” Henley says.
“Whoa,” Rocco has his hands up in a surrender position. “Okay, enough. I think it’s time for a break. It’s lunch time anyway.”
Without a word Maddox walks out of the room slamming the door behind him. I collapse into my seat and rub my temples. “I’m sorry,” I say quietly. “I’m sorry. He didn’t deserve that. I’m just feeling…off today. I’ll get it. I will.”
“Yes, you will,” Nixon says kindly and I look at him and nod.
“We’ve been putting in a lot of hours,” Henley says, “Don’t beat yourself up. But, Maddox is right, I’m sorry. Now is the time we lay it all down. That takes long enough given the times we have to run through it, repeat parts, record the various layers – there isn’t time to go back and change things.”
I nod, “I understand. I’ll get it. When we come back from lunch I’ll be ready to go.”
“Great,” Rocco says.
Standing, I grab my purse and dig around for my keys, “Sailor,” Jace says and I look up at him distractedly. “Would you go to lunch with me? I’ll drive,” he says holding up his keys and shaking them.
“Yes, sure. That would be great.” I tell him although part of me wishes I could go sit in my car and cry my eyes out, but I know having a pity party of one won’t fix a thing. I immediately become concerned wondering if I’m about to experience my first lecture from Jace. I certainly could have chosen a better time for this argument.
“Great,” he says and leads me out of the studio. When we’re in his car he asks, “Anything in particular you’re in the mood for?”
“No, anything will do, I’m not picky.” He nods and we take off. It’s quiet at first and then I clear my throat, “Sorry. For what happened in there.”
“You don’t have to apologize. Henley is right. I know you guys have been putting in a lot of hours, and the guys argue all the time. I think they’re just behaving around you. Usually at this point they’re all practically ripping each other’s throats out, so don’t worry about it.”
I nod trying to figure out what else I should say, and silently exhale now that I know I’m not going to receive a lecture. I’m saved from thinking of something when Jace pulls into a parking lot and parks the car. “This is a hole in the wall Mexican food place that’s fantastic.”
“Sounds good to me,” I tell him.
We are seated and order in no time and my stomach rumbles loudly with impatience. The smells made me aware of just how hungry I am. “One of the reasons I asked you to come to lunch with me is because I want to talk to you about something,” Jace says.
“Okay,” I reply feeling nervous again.
“Don’t look so scared,” he laughs and grabs a chip and dunks it into salsa. “I want to talk to you about Maddox.” I remain quiet not sure what to say or think. “I’d like what I say to remain between us. I don’t make it a habit to gossip about the guys, and that’s not my intent here. But, I know you’re in a somewhat awkward position and you are no less my client than he is, so it seemed appropriate for the good of all.”
“Ok. What about Maddox?”
“Being hired to come into the band after they’ve been together for quite some time has several challenges. Knowing that you’re here to help them escape the hole they’ve dug themselves into…well… that Maddox helped dig them into… I can imagine you feel pressure, a bit out of place, and that you’re trying to navigate through it all.”
“Yes, but I think I’m doing okay so far.”
