Strings attached, p.5
Strings Attached, page 5
Drew looked at her suspiciously as she took it from her. Her eyes widened when she saw the contents. “Concert tickets?”
Nikki nodded. “Sorry there are only two. It’s all I could scrounge up for comps. The rest of the band scoffed up the rest of ’em.”
“I, uh…this really wasn’t necessary.”
“I know, but I wanted to do it. You must have someone you can bring. Your dad, a friend.” Nikki was suddenly nervous. “A date?” She hoped Drew didn’t opt for a date. Shit. For all she knew, she had a girlfriend. Or worse—a boyfriend. What a slime she was. She hadn’t even considered that. Drew was sweet and gorgeous. Why wouldn’t she have someone?
“I appreciate the gesture, but I can’t get coverage on such short notice. But I do know a couple of people I could give them to.”
Was she serious? She would give them away? The whole idea was to thank Drew and to have Drew at the show. And maybe, score a few points with her. “Look, if you don’t care so much about seeing Passion Play, then at least come to support the opening act.” She pointed out the name on the ticket. “They’re local and they won a Battle of the Bands competition sponsored by the same radio station that gave Passion Play its start. They’re a fantastic group.”
Drew studied the tickets again, and her face showed signs of recognition. She smiled. “Hey, they shop here. Good for them!”
“So, you’ll go?”
“I don’t know. It’s in Boston. I’m not crazy about driving in the city at night. When I went to school there, I always used public transportation. I’d be too afraid of getting lost or in an accident—”
“Then you’ll ride with us in the limo.” They’d already booked the extra car so Brian and Kay could each bring one guest, so she knew it wouldn’t be an issue. She wanted her to say yes so badly. She wanted an excuse to see her again and not as a customer. “Please? It would mean a lot to me to have you there. You know…as a thank you—you really saved my ass last night. And the rest of the band owes you, too.” Am I begging? It sounds like I’m begging. I’ve never begged a woman for anything in my life. What the hell was going on?
Before Drew could answer, Jerry walked over. “Good morning, Miss Razer. Back again? Everything okay with your new guitars?”
“Hi, Jerry. They’re great. I love them.”
“Dad, she’s giving me tickets for tonight’s Passion Play show in Boston.”
“We-he-hell! That’s awful generous of you, Nikki.”
“I think she’s afraid I’ll ask her to join us onstage.” Nikki lightly elbowed Drew in the ribs.
Jerry smiled proudly. “She wouldn’t disappoint you if you did. She’s one heck of a musician.”
“Dad, stop.” Drew blushed.
“If she takes after you, she must be amazing.”
Jerry gave her a dismissive wave. “Ah, that’s just me foolin’ around. Nope. She’s the prodigy. I’m just an old-timer. I’ve had my day in the sun, and that’s fine with me.”
“I’d love to hear her play sometime.”
“You know, I am in the room.”
Drew looked as if she was getting mad again. Nikki wished she had that kind of relationship with her own father. Mom said he was proud of her, but it wouldn’t kill him to say so himself.
“I appreciate the gesture, but I can’t leave work early.”
“Honey, we have coverage today. Geena will be in at one, and you never get out and have any fun. Go and enjoy yourself. We can handle things here.”
“Dad—”
Jerry folded his arms and gave her a stern look. “I’m still the boss around here, kiddo. And I say take the rest of the day off.” He smiled at Nikki and said, “Thank you. She needs a break from this place, whether she admits it or not.”
Drew seemed to realize she was outnumbered. She let out a huff and said, “Okay. I’ll go.” She turned to Nikki. “I’m sorry, but I need to ask this. I don’t have to worry about being around drugs or alcohol, do I?”
The question surprised her, but Nikki respected her for having the guts to ask. “Not at all.”
Drew still looked skeptical. “I don’t mean just you, I mean anyone who’ll be with us. Because if I see any signs of drugs—”
“Hey, I mean it. We have a few social drinks once in a while, but I promise you, that’s it. We don’t touch drugs.”
“Okay, good. I just need to make a phone call. I know exactly who I’d like to take with me.”
Nikki’s heart rose and sank within the same heartbeat. Damn. She hadn’t thought this through.
Drew went behind the counter. Nikki tried not to look as if she was eavesdropping when Drew picked up the phone and asked for Melissa. A customer entered the store, and Jerry excused himself to wait on him.
Drew hung up and walked back over. “All set. Where should we meet you and at what time?”
“Right here is fine, if that works for you. Can you be ready by three? I hope you don’t mind getting there a little early. We’ll have to set up and do sound checks. Then we’ll grab a bite to eat and warm up. You can go to all of it, of course, and you won’t have to pay for a thing.”
Drew nodded. “Yeah, that’ll be fine.”
“So, this Melissa. She someone special?”
Drew smiled thoughtfully. “Yeah. She’s someone very special. I can’t wait for you to meet her.”
Nikki forced a smile. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea after all. She could’ve kept it simple. A CD autographed by the whole band or something. But no, as usual, you had to go over the top.
Her stomach churned. Jealousy had become an all too familiar feeling. It didn’t agree with her one bit.
Chapter Eight
“I can’t believe we’re going to a Passion Play concert, and we get to ride in a limo with them! Are you sure I look all right?” Melissa was going to trigger an earthquake if she didn’t stand still.
They were just inside the front door of DJ’s, waiting for Nikki and the band to pick them up. Melissa wore faded blue jeans with intentional rips in them, a pair of high-top cross-trainer sneakers, and a waist-length navy blue nylon winter coat. Her long brown hair was down, with one pencil-thick braid tied alongside one ear. A long silver earring shaped like an electric guitar dangled from her left ear. A row of studs adorned the other.
“Relax. You look great.”
She was glad Melissa was such a big fan. Otherwise, she wasn’t sure how she was going to get out of accepting the tickets without looking like a total asshole. She’d have no trouble turning Nikki down, but she didn’t want to lose her business. And she had to admit she felt a certain pride in knowing that the opening act’s band members were customers of hers, and she was curious to see them in action.
Melissa fiddled with her cell phone and held it out in front of them. She scrolled through Passion Play’s Facebook page, pointing out her favorite pictures and gushing about this and that. She said she’d “liked” the members’ individual pages, too, and proceeded to show those to Drew as well. Drew feigned interest. She’d created her own Facebook page a few years ago but hardly ever logged on. She didn’t keep in touch with enough people to get much out of it. She mentally kicked herself for forgetting to add this week’s post on DJ’s page.
A few minutes later, two white limousines pulled in and made wide semicircle turns in front of the store. Nikki emerged from the back door of one of them dressed in a black pea coat and blue jeans.
“OhmyGodohmyGodohmyGod. Here comes Nikki.” Melissa bounced up and down on the balls of her feet. “She’s even more gorgeous than in the pictures.”
Drew couldn’t agree more, but no way in hell was she going to let Nikki know that. At least with Melissa with her, she shouldn’t have to worry about Nikki making passes at her.
Melissa grabbed Drew’s sleeve as if she were trying to steady herself.
Nikki swung the door open and looked first at Drew, then Melissa. For a moment she looked perplexed, then smiled crookedly. “Hi.”
“Hi, Nikki.”
Nikki extended a hand to Melissa. “And you must be Melissa?” Melissa’s hand was visibly shaking, but Nikki gave it a squeeze and said, “It’s okay. I was nervous to meet you, too. I’m Nikki.”
Nikki was nervous? Yeah right. Back off. She’s just a kid.
Melissa nodded. “I know. Uh, I mean, yeah. I’m Melissa.”
Nikki released her hand and smiled sweetly at the two of them.
Drew said, “Melissa’s one of my star pupils.”
“Oh yeah? What do you play?”
The teen blushed and shrugged. “Guitar mainly. I’ve been teaching myself piano, too.”
“Cool, very cool.”
“I even jammed with Jaymi and Shawn here the other day.”
Nikki quirked an eyebrow. “No kidding? Were they any good?”
Melissa grinned. “They were all right,” she deadpanned.
Awesome. The kid was loosening up a little. Drew sensed someone beside her. Geena nudged her arm and cleared her throat. Subtle, Geena. Real subtle.
“Nikki, this is Geena, my assistant manager and drum teacher.”
It took another fifteen minutes to leave when the few customers in the store realized who was there. Nikki again politely signed autographs, pronounced DJ’s as the greatest music store north of Boston, and declared she’d never shop anywhere else. Thankfully, the other members of the band stayed in the limo; otherwise, they’d have never gotten out of there. Nikki excused herself when the limo driver honked the horn.
The driver swung open the door and ushered Drew and Melissa inside. Nikki slid in afterward, sandwiching Drew between them. Jaymi and Shawn sat cuddled together opposite them.
Shawn lit up when she saw Melissa. “Hey, look who it is! Our new jammin’ buddy!”
Everyone exchanged hellos, then Nikki said, “What’s with the hat, Shawn?”
Shawn shifted a black fedora forward on her head. “I’m trying a new look. Whadda you think?”
“I think it’s totally rad,” piped up Melissa, who immediately blushed.
“We picked it up at Macy’s yesterday,” said Jaymi, an adoring smile on her face. “She was just playing around, but she looked so damn cute in it, I had to get it for her.”
“I got a cool blazer to wear with it for the show tonight, along with a new shirt and tie.”
Drew said, “I like it.”
Jaymi was right. Shawn was cute and cool all rolled into one. She was petite but rugged-looking with shaggy, reddish-brown hair, ripped jeans, and a navy plaid flannel shirt. It was refreshing how down-to-earth and casual Jaymi and Shawn were. Not like the Hollywood crowd she was used to at her mother’s house. Then again, in her experience, musicians were a different breed of entertainer.
“That outfit’s gonna look way cool,” Melissa added.
Shawn tipped the hat at Melissa and made her blush again. Drew knew that Jaymi was Melissa’s guitar idol, but she was sensing that she might be developing a crush on Shawn.
“Smart move, cute stuff,” Nikki said to Shawn. “Because girls don’t drool over you enough already.”
Shawn shot Nikki an annoyed look, but Drew couldn’t tell if it was serious or not.
Nikki fidgeted beside her and whispered into Drew’s ear. “She hates when I call her that.”
If that was the case, why had Nikki intentionally provoked her?
Jaymi quickly changed the subject. “I can’t wait to see how the new instruments sound tonight. We owe you a big thanks for saving our skins this week.”
Nikki tucked one leg under her and swiveled so that she faced Drew. “Drew’s good at playing the hero, aren’t you?”
“I’d hardly call myself a hero.” Here we go again. It seemed that Nikki liked provoking everyone around her.
“Did I tell you Drew rescued me after I went off the road last night?” Nikki proceeded to tell everyone about the incident. “She saved my ass.”
“It was nothing, really.”
“You don’t think saving my ass is a big deal?” She got up and shook her butt in the air and slapped it. “This thing’s one of my best moneymakers. Don’t you think so, Jaymi?”
“I think it’s a good thing you can sing.”
Nikki grinned and high-fived Melissa, who was quietly snickering at the whole exchange. “Ha! Jaymi’s right. Take my advice, kid: always listen to Jaymi. She’s one smart cookie.”
Jaymi rolled her eyes. Nikki looked at Jaymi and held her gaze for a long moment. The group fell quiet, and subtle tension filled the space. Nikki settled back into her seat, much closer to Drew this time. Their thighs were touching. She could smell Nikki’s cologne and feel the heat radiating off her body. Nikki stretched and nonchalantly placed her arm along the back of the seat behind her. How many other women had she practiced this move on? Was she about to lower her arm around her shoulders?
She didn’t want to make a scene if she did, but at the same time, she couldn’t let Nikki think she could do whatever she pleased just because she’d invited her to the concert tonight. She was sure Nikki had planned this seating arrangement on purpose. She tried not to think about it—she didn’t want to ruin Melissa’s night.
She didn’t quite know what to think of the group’s dynamic. Drew was surprised to find that Nikki didn’t take herself too seriously. She had no problem being the butt of Jaymi’s joke—no pun intended. She could also tell that Nikki’s admiration for Jaymi was sincere. Maybe it was more than admiration. She wondered if there was any romantic history between them. If so, that would explain the tension between Nikki and Shawn.
“How long have you worked at the music store, Drew?” Shawn’s question pulled Drew out of her thoughts.
“Oh, uh, since college. My dad owns the store. He even named it using our initials. I worked as a salesperson during the summers, and after I graduated, he told me I had to work there at least a year to pay my dues before he moved me up to manager.”
“Her father’s an amazing guitarist,” Nikki said. “You should hear him play.” She lightly tugged on Drew’s shoulder. “Maybe one of these days I can get this shy one to play for me.”
Melissa said, “Oh yeah, she’s, like, freaking awesome! She’s a great teacher, too. You have no idea.”
Now it was Drew’s turn to blush.
“Well, she’s doing something right,” said Jaymi, looking from Drew to Melissa. “You’ve got some serious chops yourself. I wouldn’t be surprised if we’ll all be going to your concerts someday.”
“I hope so.”
“Just keep practicing. We’ll have to keep in touch so we can give you some pointers.”
“Really? You mean it?”
“Of course I do. You can never have enough support getting a music career off the ground.”
Wow. That’s really sweet of Jaymi. She was sure Melissa was beside herself with awe right now.
Shawn said, “I really love your store, Drew.”
“Yeah. And you can’t beat the personal attention you give your customers.” Nikki smiled. She could have easily used a flirtatious tone, but she sounded completely serious this time. “That makes a big difference. I wasn’t kidding when I said I won’t go anywhere else now.”
“I agree,” said Jaymi. “Do you know how many music stores I’ve gone into and been ignored? They don’t take female musicians seriously. Your place is the first where I’ve even seen female employees.”
“Well, thanks, you guys. That’s exactly how I always felt. That’s one of the reasons I love my job. I really do appreciate your business. It’s been a little rough with the struggling economy the last few years. We’ve been steady with the little stuff, like strings and drumsticks and accessories, but people just aren’t making as many major purchases these days.” Shit. She hadn’t meant to whine about the sorry state of the business. Not with them.
“You know, maybe we can help promote the store for you,” Jaymi said.
“I didn’t mean to sound like I was dropping hints or anything.”
“We know that.” Nikki tapped her shoulder again. “Listen, we have a strict policy of only endorsing things we actually use or agree with. We all love your store and the one-on-one attention.”
Her heart rate picked up. She didn’t want to feel as if she was capitalizing on their success for her own benefit, but if they were offering, she was in no position to refuse. Free publicity for the store was a smart business move. It wasn’t as if she was selling out. And if the offer was coming from Jaymi, at least she knew it wasn’t because Jaymi wanted something in return. Had it been Nikki’s suggestion…
“You don’t have to do that, but honestly, I’d appreciate anything you can do for me. We could use all the help we can get.”
“We’ll put our heads together at our next group meeting and see what we can come up with,” said Jaymi. “How’s that sound?”
“That…wow. That would be fantastic.”
Nikki said, “The band always makes decisions together, so yeah. We’ll talk to Brian and Kay and then run it by our manager to see what we can do. It’s good publicity for the band, too.”
Drew relaxed for the rest of the ride. Maybe accepting the tickets was a smart move after all.
Chapter Nine
When Nikki had walked into DJ’s and seen that Drew’s “date” was a teenager, her gut reacted with relief, then confusion. Drew barely looked old enough to have a daughter that age. Although if she did have a kid, that was okay with her. It would explain why Drew had seemed flattered by her flirting but reluctant to flirt back. Single mothers were cautious about who they dated and rightfully so.
Then again, maybe Drew just wasn’t interested. That bothered her. It had been ages since she’d felt attracted to someone for more than just sex. There was something about Drew that intrigued her. And she didn’t think it had anything to do with the thrill of the chase, either.
