Page 82 of Meet You Half Way
“What was that you were saying about less fortunate friends?” Mateo grinned as Rob set Kat back on her feet.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, mate,” Rob returned, clapping Mateo on the shoulder.
“Now that everyone’s here do we finally get that tour?” we heard from the living room as Nick’s younger brother, Dane and his girlfriend, Dee, came into view.
“You made everyone wait for us?” I asked.
“Absolutely. We’re only doing this the one time,” Nick grinned, wrapping his arm around Ajay. “We wanted everyone here for it.”
***
The place was incredible, like a resort but on a miniature scale. Nick and Ajay took turns talking us through the site, stopping first at the three villas where visitors would stay. They were luxurious and beautifully styled and Mateo and I smiled at each other when the boys told us they’d saved the first stay in the villa for us given we wouldn’t all fit in the house.
I couldn’t say I would mind having a little space for ourselves.
We wound our way past the beautiful pool which was lit up with underwater pool lights that made the space look magical. It was all very impressive but nothing was more impressive than the studio which had been built into what looked like a barn, complete with big sliding doors to open up the space to the elements.
“This is where the big bucks went,” Nick explained, hand threaded with Ajay’s as we stepped into the large practice space which included a variety of instruments and technical sound equipment.
“All funded with the investors’ money,” Ajay added.
“How does that work?” I asked.
“Well, it all started to get a little complicated so we ended up subdividing the land. Nick and I hold title over the land with the house while this section and the villas is owned by us and our four investors in a split of shares.”
“Sounds complex,” Mateo replied.
“So complex,” Nick muttered. “But Ajay’s happy and that’s all that matters to me.”
“Thank you, Nicky,” Ajay smiled sweetly, pressing a kiss to Nick’s cheek and threading a finger through a lock of his long hair.
The soundproof recording studio was incredible, all state of the art equipment that Ajay was clearly ecstatic over as we all stepped into the space.
“Listen to the acoustics in here,” Nick stated, tapping on his phone until a song I recognised started playing through the speakers.
“Seriously, Nick,” Ajay eyerolled, sharing a soft smile with his boyfriend.
“What, baby? You think I’m not going to use every single opportunity to show off your song?” Nick returned.
“Wait. What?” Mateo asked. “Isn’t this by Judas Styx?”
“Yes but that harmony line is sung by none other than Ajay Olivier as is the guitar track,” Nick announced proudly.
“Wow, serious?” Mateo said, nodding appreciatively at Ajay. “That’s amazing. You’ve got some serious talent, kid.” Mateo nudged Ajay with his elbow and the two of them smiled at each other. It had been really nice seeing the friendship between Mateo and Ajay blossom over the years, especially after the way it had started. Whenever Nick called to say hello it always ended with Mateo and Ajay chatting for ages afterwards. I liked it because Mateo could talk fashion and music with Ajay in a way I didn’t get so both Nick and I encouraged their closeness.
“We’ve even heard this song get airtime in the States,” I added.
“Judas is going places for sure. We actually have him booked in next week as our very first client to record the rest of his album,” Ajay said, the enthusiasm clear in his voice.
“Can’t wait to hear it,” Mateo replied. “I love this song.”
“At least this is not as embarrassing as the time we first heard it playing in Paddy’s,” Ajay said, sharing another grin with Nick.
“Hey, that was awesome,” Nick replied.
“What, you jumping up onto a table and yelling out to the entire pub that it was my song?” Ajay chided.
“How many free drinks did you get after Terry turned up the volume and we had the entire bar singing along?” Nick returned pointedly.
