Mine, p.1
Mine, page 1
Mine
AJ Estelliam
Chapter 1
‘Ow!’ I muttered as my knee cracked against the side of the cabinet, stumbling through the door with my arms full. Recovering quickly, I lifted my head, flicking my long, blonde mop of hair out of my eyes to look at the panel of important looking people who were waiting to audition me for the position of bassist in a famous singer’s band. ‘Uh, sorry,’ I laughed, ‘what an idiot!’ I muttered, referring to myself.
‘Are you okay?’ a large guy on the end of the panel asked.
‘Yeah, yeah…just being clumsy I guess,’ I said, ruefully, grimacing as I limped over to the setup of the amp where I would play.
‘Alright…name?’ the same man asked.
‘Neo Flinn,’ I told him.
‘Ah yes…you’re our last audition of the day,’ he told me, scanning me with interest.
It felt like four sets of eyes were sizing me up and I glanced downwards self-consciously, wondering whether I should have made more of an effort when I had dressed for her occasion. I’d gone with my everyday attire-tight black jeans, a t-shirt from one of my favourite bands and a little make-up. Eye liner and lip gloss had seemed enough for the opportunity. I hadn’t wanted to overdo it. ‘Well, I’m sure you want to get it done,’ I replied, ‘so shall I just play something?’
‘Yeah…play whatever you like first off,’ the man told me.
I nodded, strapping the bass across my body and then running my hand up the neck a couple of times to readjust to the feeling of the instrument. I wasn’t a bassist. I was a guitarist. Sometimes in life though, opportunities presented themselves which were just too good to resist-and this was one of them. I’d spent the past three months preparing for this, and I was going to show them what I could do.
Taking a steadying breath, I flipped my hair and launched into a heavy song of my choice. I moved energetically with the music, enjoying myself as I lost myself in the music. I played a verse and a chorus before slipping into a different song-a blues classic which I slowed down to feel the music. I added a solo and then as the song finished, played a stanza to take me into one of Aska Luneaske’s current popular songs. Adding a flip of my hair and an elaborate finish, I ended with a flourish, finally lifting my head to the panel before me.
‘Wow, you’re good!’ the guy on the end said, enthusiastically, nodding appreciatively.
‘Thank you,’ I replied, feeling a blush settle on my cheeks and I smiled back with a hint of embarrassment.
‘How long have you been playing bass for?’ he asked.
‘Three months,’ I answered honestly.
His eyebrows rose. ‘Months? Do you mean years?’ he questioned.
I shook my head, biting my lip absently. ‘No, three months. I’m a guitarist actually. I’ve been playing guitar since I was fourteen. When this audition came up, I figured-why not learn the bass?’ I smiled.
He lifted her eyebrows. ‘Wow,’ she said, looking to the person sitting beside him, nudging her with his elbow.
I watched in stunned surprise as the woman removed her hat and sunglasses, revealing the person underneath-it wasn’t who I was expecting. Suddenly, I realised that Aska Luneaske had been in the room the whole time, and she was looking at me intently, nostrils flaring.
I tried not to react, unwilling to act starstruck over the star. I couldn’t help scanning her appearance though. From the TV, I remembered a glitzy, make-up covered glam-styled stunner but the woman before me was bare-faced, with bright blue enigmatic eyes and a wide smile. I wondered if the masking of my scent was working. I could smell her a mile away, and the musky aroma of her invaded my senses.
‘Why do you want her job?’ Aska asked, her voice husky as she watched me with interest.
I bit my lip, thinking how to answer her. Her voice had rumbled through my system and her eyes were intense, unwavering. ‘I’m a musician,’ I said, finally. ‘I know it’s what I’m meant to do. I can feel it. The thing is, I haven’t had the chance to show anyone how good I am. Life has got in the way. Having to pay the rent has got in the way. I want to play for a living, not sit in a cubicle and answer calls. I’m here because I want someone to give me a chance. I want to play every day and get paid for it. I want to work with like-minded musicians, people who love music, talking about it, listening to it and creating it. I just want a chance,’ I finished.
Aska nodded, watching me with interest.
‘What music do you like?’ the guy on the end asked. ‘I’m Jairo by the way-Aska’s guitarist.’
‘Oh cool!’ I replied, nodding. ‘I love metal and rock,’ I told him. ‘But I’ll give most stuff a go to be honest. I’m pretty willing to learn anything.’
‘How far would you go to get what you want-to be a musician?’ Aska asked, leaning forwards, her gaze still intense as she focused in on me.
‘I, uh…I don’t know. I’d learn pretty much anything, I guess. Work really hard. Do what I was asked…that kind of thing. Is that what you mean?’ I questioned, frowning at her.
She shrugged. ‘Just curious. When’s your birthday?’ she asked, taking a completely different direction with her questions.
‘October 18th,’ I told her.
She frowned at me. ‘Your birthday is today?’ she asked, incredulously.
I laughed. ‘Yeah…memorable way to spend a birthday, huh?’ I chuckled.
‘Oh wow,’ she murmured, still watching me, her gaze missing nothing as she scanned my face. ‘So, you’re a libra?’
‘I’m what? Like star sign?’ I questioned.
‘Yeah,’ she smiled.
Her smile was dazzling. Bright white teeth shone at me as her eyes crinkled in the corners attractively. ‘I don’t know much about that.’
‘I love astrology,’ she gushed. ‘You’d be compatible with the band, being a Libra,’ she commented, before glancing at Jairo and then leaning into whisper something in his ear.
I watched the interchange with interest, wondering what they were thinking. There were two other men sat at the other end of the table who had still said nothing for the entire time that I had been in here. I didn’t know how it was going, but I hoped that they liked me, hoped that they might give me a chance. I wasn’t sure if I was good enough, if I was what they needed or wanted but I felt butterflies in my stomach as the anticipation inside me grew.
‘Thanks Neo,’ Jairo said, lifting his head. ‘Can you wait outside? We need to discuss things a little further.’
‘Yeah, no worries,’ I said, packing up my bass. I left the room and went to sit outside once more, noticing that two other women remained there. I supposed we were the ones being considered for the position still.
I sat in the waiting room, tapping my foot and biting my nails. The black nail polish was coming off and they needed some attention, but I hadn’t had the time or inclination to do anything about it. I watched as the other two women went in one by one, spending a few minutes inside each. I watched as they left and then the minutes ticked by as I waited. Slumped in the seat, I hummed to myself a metal track, tapping my foot to the music.
When I was finally summoned, it wasn’t by Jairo like the other men had been. Aska herself stepped out into the darkened room.
‘Hey,’ she smiled, eyes flickering down my frame as I struggled to sit up in the plastic chair. ‘Comfy?’ she all-but giggled.
I laughed. ‘Not really,’ I said, returning the smile. ‘Uh, shall I come in?’
‘Come with me,’ she said, turning to walk down the hall.
I followed, with my bass in hand, into a small dressing room where Aska sat down on the couch and then patted the seat next to her, indicating that I should sit down.
I deliberated for a split second before heading over and sitting down beside her.
‘So, we like your playing, Neo,’ she told me, turning to face me.
I felt the hesitation in her tone and knew that this was going to be a let-down. ‘Yeah, no worries. You don’t have to let me down easy…it’s all cool,’ I told her.
She smirked at me then, literally smirked. ‘I’m not letting you down Neo, but I want to find out a bit more about you before we consider taking you on. I’m very fussy with my band members. We’re going to be touring together, living together, in each other’s pockets. I need to make sure I like and get on with the people I take on.’
‘Oh, right,’ I said surprised. ‘Wow,’ I murmured.
‘Yeah, so…can we chat a little? Let me get to know you?’
I shrugged. ‘Sure…what do you want to know? I’m pretty laid back-easy going. You won’t have trouble with me around, unless I’m drunk,’ I chuckled.
‘Oh yeah? Do tell?’ she smiled, leaning back on her elbow, facing me.
‘It’s messy,’ I grinned. ‘I’m little, so I’m a bit of a lightweight,’ I laughed.
‘Really,’ she said, seductively.
I glanced up at her from under my eyelashes and thought (for not the first time) that she was checking me out a little. ‘So, what do you want to know?’
‘Just tell me the basics,’ she encouraged.
‘Oh okay. Well, I’m twenty-eight…as of today,’ I laughed. ‘I grew up here, I’m from here. I’ve never travelled outside of the states. My family live here too-Mum, Dad and sister. I’ve been working dead-end jobs for ten years, hoping to make it as a guitarist. I play in two bands, but they’ve never been successful. I live in an apartment with three other roommates. We live in a two-bed with four of us. I’m the littlest, so I sleep on the couch. It’s pretty shit, but hey, it’s home.
‘Wow,’ Aska breathed, her eyes scanning my face. ‘Couch huh?’
I grimaced. ‘It’s alright. Not ideal, but better than nothing.’
‘What do you do in your spare time?’ she asked, ‘like when you’re not working?’
‘I chill out, play with my friends, go and listen to bands, drink, party…you know, the normal stuff…’
‘Are you dating at the moment, Neo?’ she asked then, leaning a little closer.
I felt the invasion of personal space affect me with a ripple of awareness but kept my eyes on her, trying to feign nonchalance as she gently toyed with my hair. ‘Not right now,’ I told her, releasing the breath I was holding. ‘I’m a pretty shit girlfriend.’
‘Oh yeah? Why is that?’ she asked, curiously, her hand gently trailing down my jawline now, making the skin she was touching tingle with a burn which was unfamiliar.
‘Ah I just don’t have the time…or the inclination. It’s too much work…’
‘Interesting. So, no girlfriend?’ she asked.
I frowned, shaking my head at the assumption. ‘No.’
‘Boyfriend?’
‘Nope,’ I said. ‘Not for six months,’ I revealed.
‘Was that your last relationship?’ she questioned.
‘Yeah,’ I nodded. ‘He cheated on me with someone I considered to be a friend. It sucked pretty hard,’ I told her, biting my lip. ‘He finished with her when he realised that she’s an even more shit girlfriend that I was and then tried to get back with me. Let’s just say that didn’t go well,’ I smirked.
‘You weren’t up for trying again?’ she asked.
‘No…he cheated! That’s unforgivable.’
‘I agree,’ she nodded, eyes scanning mine.
‘You know you’ve got beautiful eyes,’ she told me, resting her hand on my arm.
‘Uh, thanks?’ I said, uncomfortably, wondering what the hell she was doing.
‘You’ve got beautiful lips too…so full and…’ she sighed. ‘Kissable.’
I frowned at her. ‘Look…’ I broke off as she lifted her fingers to my mouth to silence me.
‘How much do you want her job, Neo?’ she asked, seductively.
My heart dropped into my stomach as the weight of what she had just said made me squirm under her touch. ‘What…?’
‘I like you…you’re really gorgeous…so tell me-how far would you go to get into the band? Maybe go down on me? Show me just how keen you are to be a part of my band?’ she said, trailing her hand down towards my breasts.
I lifted my hand to hers and all-but threw it back at her in horror. ‘Get the fuck off!’ I exclaimed. ‘I’m not going down on you to get in your band!’ I cried, shocked. ‘What the actual fuck?’ I repeated, stunned.
She was watching me closely.
‘What a dick!’ I muttered, disgusted with her request.
Her eyebrows quirked up and she looked shocked. ‘What did you call me?’
‘You’re a dick, you idiot!’ I said, shaking my head. ‘Who does that…’ I began to rant, but then noticed the faint quirk of the side of her mouth as amusement threatened to tipple over.
I gaped at her. ‘This was a test?’ I suddenly said, understanding what she had just done.
She shrugged.
‘You were finding out if I’d go for it? To get in the band?’ I questioned, moving to sit next to her again and she smiled at me. ‘You idiot!’ I repeated, hitting her arm and then laughing in surprise as the moment dissolved into humour.
‘I had to find out, Neo,’ she told me, sobering a little. ‘You wouldn’t believe how many people throw themselves at me these days. I’ve got to work and live alongside all you of you on tour so it’s best to just get it out of the way before it becomes an issue. I’m sorry I had to do that, but I just wanted to know if you’d go for it.’
‘Fucking idiot,’ I said, laughing still and shaking my head. ‘This is going to be one of my best stories…when Aska fucking Luneaske asked me to go down on her,’ I exclaimed, falling back against the sofa and laughing to myself in pure amusement.
‘You better not,’ she said, leaning over to tickle my ribs.
I squawked in surprise and shoved at her playfully. ‘Don’t do that…’ I warned, ‘never know when I might want to give you oral unexpectedly,’ I joked, laughing at my own joke. ‘You’re fucking hilarious,’ I told her.
She stood, holding out her hand. ‘Come on, Neo. Let’s go back and chat with Jairo.’
I reached for her hand and let her pull me up. When I reached full height-which was decidedly shorter than Aska, I looked up at her and stepped into her personal space, gazing up at her with doe eyes. ‘If you’re sure you don’t want to stay here and go down on me, honey,’ I joked.
Aska rolled her eyes and slung an arm around my shoulders. ‘Fucking hell, Neo. I’m never going to live this one down, am I?’ she questioned.
‘Never,’ I promised, smiling up at her.
We walked back to the other room where only Jairo remained. As we walked in, she looked up and glanced from Aska to me and then back again.
‘How’d it go?’ she asked Aska.
Aska smirked. ‘She called me a dick and punched me on the arm-so we’re good!’ she laughed.
‘Fucking idiot-move,’ I contributed, but laughed.
‘We thought it was sensible to check,’ Jairo said, looking a little uncomfortable. ‘Especially as you’re just her type,’ she added.
My eyes flew to Aska’s. ‘I’m what?’ I asked, incredulously.
Aska blushed a little, laughing softly. ‘Shut your mouth, Jairo. Ignore her, Neo. She’s just teasing me.’
‘Am I, though? Your type?’ I asked, hesitantly.
She shrugged. ‘Small, pretty, blonde. What’s not to like?’
I gave her a look of exasperation. ‘Maybe I should just go down on you then,’ I mocked.
Aska’s jaw dropped and then we all fell about laughing, the tension broken. As we laughed together, I felt the unmistakable feeling of burgeoning friendship filling the room.
A little while later, Aska showed me out. I walked alongside her, heading for the door and feeling a heady feeling of anticipation running through me as I knew I’d been successful today.
‘It was great meeting you today, Neo,’ she told me, lingering at the door, smiling down at me. ‘Sorry for the whole ‘going down on me’ deal, but I’m glad we’re past it now,’ she said, softly.
‘I don’t think I’ll ever forget this audition, that’s for sure,’ I told her, chuckling. ‘Good to meet you, though. It’s been a cool day,’ I nodded.
Aska seemed to hesitate for a moment before she spoke again. ‘Do you, uh…I mean, do you want to go and get a drink now?’ she asked.
‘Ah,’ I groaned, ‘I would, but my friends want me to join them for the rest of the evening. It’s my birthday, you know, and I’ve kind of skipped my party to come here today. They’ll be fuming if I don’t at least turn up for a bit this evening.’
‘Of course. Sorry, I’d forgotten it was your birthday, Neo. I hope you have an amazing evening.’
‘Thanks,’ I said, grinning up at her happily. ‘And thanks so much…you know…for this opportunity. I can’t wait to work with you,’ I smiled.
‘Me too,’ she said, returning my smile. ‘Go,’ she ordered. ‘Go and enjoy your birthday. My tour manager, Perry, will be in touch with you to get everything organised and arranged.’
‘Oh my God, yeah!’ I exclaimed. ‘I can leave my shitty job!’ I said, releasing a heavy breath.
‘You can, honey,’ she smiled. ‘Anyway, see you later, Neo. Great meeting you.’
‘You too,’ I said, lifting my head slightly as she bent to kiss my cheeks. As she lifted her head, I saw a brief frown of confusion, which she quickly masked, alongside the flaring of her nostrils. She scanned my face for a moment and looked like she was going to question the scent, but I stepped back.
I smiled at her, ignoring the burning sensation where her lips had touched my skin, the scent of her which made my wolf threaten to rise to the surface. ‘Later!’
‘See you, Neo,’ she said again.
I turned and left.
The following morning, I lay on the sofa nursing the worst hangover I had had in a very long time. My friends had plied me with drinks until the early hours of the morning and we had partied hard. I’d been dumped unceremoniously on the sofa by one of my roommates and had passed out drunk and happy-on a high from my birthday and the wonderful news about joining Aska’s band.
