Page 12 of Rock Out Together
But I’m still breathing with a warrior’s heart?—”
Just one last chord. It doesn’t feel like the end, though. Instead, it feels like the start of something big. The sound cuts. We’re panting. Shaking. Spent. I lift my fist and shout, and the whole placeerupts. The noise is deafening and a release.
I look at Ruby, and she’s glowing, sweat-slick and wild-eyed. Otis slams his sticks down and roars like a man reborn. Sebastian nods at Cody, who finally looks up like he’s waking from a trance. He grins, and it’s wide and real.
I feel it hit me like a tidal wave:
We survived it.
Weownedit.
We’re a storm and a mess. We’re something that can’t be faked.
And for tonight, at least, we’re still together, still a band.
In the back, the agent is still watching. She’s still not smiling, but she hasn’t walked away.
It’s time to play the next song!
seven
. . .
Lydia
I step into my sleek,modern office, a space I’ve meticulously designed to command respect. It’s taken a lot of work to get where I am today. A woman in my position is a rarity. I work in a male dominated world. Most have learned not to mess with me now, and the members of the band filing in will be the same.
They take their seats around the pristine glass conference table. I can sense the unspoken tension weaving through the room. I take a deep breath and stride to the head of the table, confident in my role.
I’ve been so excited since seeing the band play in The Underground. They are raw and untamed, but their talent can’t be denied. I can sense the issues already—the sparring brothers, the drummer with anger issues, and the keyboardist with confidence so low it’s scary. Then there is the lead singer. There’s something puzzling about him.He has a secret. I don’t know what it is, but for this to work, it’s my job to find out.
“You all have talent, but you need to commit. You need to work through the issues that we’ve already discussed, and you must trust my guidance or this partnership doesn’t happen.”
I slide a contract and pens toward them and watch them all closely, noticing every subtle response. Norrie’s eyes narrow as he listens intently, Cody taps his fingers impatiently against the wood while his brother seems restless, and Otis clenches his jaw in quiet defiance. Ruby, ever the enigma, maintains her cool, distant posture.
I can feel the weight of each unspoken thought as I scan the table. Their hesitations and hopes mingle in the silence that follows my words. Slowly, they each reach for a pen but then stop.
“So, what’s it gonna be?” I prod.
I’m sure they’ve also recognized the raw hum of what could be greatness if they don’t kill each other first. There’s so much potential and talent, and I will fight for them, but they need to want it too.
They exchange looks before Cody finally breaks the silence, his the words taut and clipped. “And what happens if we say no?”
My return gaze is steady. “Then you’re back where you started. Playing in run-down clubs, hoping to get noticed.”
“I think what Lydia’s trying to say is we’re lucky she’s giving us this shot. No offense, but we’re a bit rough around the edges,” Sebastian muses.
Cody’s eyes flash, the words hitting a nerve
Norrie shifts, turning to look at each of us, in turn. “She has a point. This isn’t about one person’s ego. We need to trust each other if we’re gonna make this work.”
Ruby remains silent.
It’s Otis who finally leans in, his expression confrontational, and I almost want to laugh. “Okay. Let’s say we trust you. What exactly are we signing up for?”
“The next step in your careers,” I reply. “But it means showing up, putting in the work, and taking direction. Without any of the drama.”
Cody crosses his arms “And if the ‘direction’ is crap?”
