Page 33 of Rock Out Together
The doorbell chimes and Perry goes to answer. We’re all silent when he comes back with our manager, Marissa. She glances around at us all and rolls her eyes.
We’ve worked with Marissa from the beginning of Velvet Echo.
“I’ve finalized everything with the photographer.” Marissa, drops onto the couch beside me. “I checked out her work, and we had a video call yesterday. She’s done some magazine work in the past, some runway, now she focuses on studio work.”
“I don’t need a resumé recap. I found her, remember?”
“You were right, her work is amazing. She doesn’t have much experience with what we want but I like her, so I’m willing to give her the benefit of the doubt.”
“All we want for now are portraits and a few group shots. Cora can pull it off.”
We’re meeting Cora at her studio today to do promo shots of the band. My plan is to get her on board for the album cover, and then other things. Work related, obviously.
Marissa eyes me and puts her feet up on the table. “What are you not telling me, Ronan?”
“Nothing.”
The others look at me. I shrug. They’ll figure it out when they see her.
“Hmm.” Marissa tips her head back, looking at the ceiling. “I don’t have to worry about that where you’re concerned, right? Small mercy Christopher isn’t here,” she mutters. “He’d have her in bed before we even sign the contracts.”
I dislike her insinuation. Cora isn’t like that.
Marissa blows a bubble with the gum she’s chewing. I lean over and pop it, making it explode on her face.
“Ronan, Jesus.” She surges up. “Why’d you do that?” She pulls at the gum in her hair to separate it.
“Temptation, it’s a terrible thing. You were saying?”
She gives me a filthy look and goes to the mirror over the fireplace, picking at the pink blobs stuck to her skin.
“I take it she’s hot?”
My glare goes to Grayson, he smirks and picks his phone up again. We all watch but he shoves it in his pocket, instead of checking it.
“We going then?” He rises and walks to the hall.
Perry says he’ll catch up because he needs a shower and the rest of us head out.
I’m excited. I haven’t seen Cora since the day I showed up at her studio, but I have texted her a few times. Strictly business. And finding out a few more songs she likes.
Stefan is with us. I don’t think it’s necessary to have a bodyguard. If anything, it’ll be fun seeing Stefan come face-to-face with Cora again.
When we arrive in Venice, Stefan tells us to wait while he and Marissa check things out. Gray is staring out of the passenger seat window. Caden is on his phone. The entire way here I’ve been listening to my Walkman.
Caden nudges me and dips his chin at his brother. He’s been trying to talk to me.
“How do you know this photographer again?” Gray asks.
I slip off my headset. “Met her at Brand’s wedding.”
“She was the photographer?” He turns to look at me.
“A guest.” He looks skeptical. “Diego knows her, he vouched for her. Not that he needed to, I’ve seen her work.”
He gives me the side-eye, but I’m saved from answering by Stefan indicating it's safe to go in. There is no escaping the sight of that red hair behind Stefan. Despite his bulk, it’s the first thing I see when we enter the building.
I barely notice the others as they take stock of where we are. Who cares if it’s not some fancy studio we hired. Or some highly sought after photographer who costs an actual bomb to work with. Wait until they see her studio with its two small sets. Not that the guys will judge Cora.
