Keys to Love (15 page)

He looked around the office once again, his gaze skimming the stacks of papers on the desk.

A glimpse of red ink on one sheet caught his eye. He lifted a leather ledger and saw “Past Due” stamped on a bill. He picked it up to find another underneath. He saw the one in his hand was for the mortgage on the store, the other an electric bill. The interest on the loan was outrageous, the payment ridiculously high and even what was paid barely covered the interest. Hardly any went into the shop’s equity. And yet, if Morgan had used the money for the auction, it could’ve chewed a decent sum of it down.

Julian stared at the figures. Morgan had sacrificed the shop for him. Even without knowing what the outcome would be, Morgan had put everything on the line for one special night with him. Julian felt his throat tightening with emotion. He grabbed a pen and a Post-it note. He glanced at Chopin as he jotted down the bank’s name and information.

“This is our secret, for now.”

The dog’s tail thumped the floor in a few wags.

Julian heard Morgan’s voice, along with another man’s. He quickly folded the paper and shoved it in the back pocket of his jeans. He looked out the office door to see Morgan leading two men who appeared to be in their late-thirties, and an older teen boy, toward one of the uprights. He didn’t care for their slovenly dress, but then again, they were buying a piano, so they wouldn’t be wearing their finest to move it.

One of the men paced around the piano. “This is it?”

Morgan nodded. “Yeah, this is the one.”

The man stood at the piano, rubbing his chin in a distasteful expression. “It looked lighter in the picture. This has a reddish tint.”

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“Like I said when I talked to you on the phone, the flash made it look a little lighter. Its cherry wood, so red tint is natural to it.”

“I’m not sure how I feel about it.” The man looked to the other. “What do you think?”

“Well, it does have a reddish tint,” the other said.

Julian could feel annoyance slowly spreading through him and couldn’t imagine what Morgan felt. From the look on Morgan’s face, he gathered the same thing.

The man shook his head. “I don’t know. Now that I see it in person, it’s not what I thought it’d be.” He pointed to another upright with a light, natural wood finish. “I like that one instead.”

Morgan shook his head. “I can sell it to you, but I can’t give it to you for the same price as this one. That’s a Baldwin.”

The man snorted. “So you’re saying the one I’m buying is junk compared to that one?”

“That’s not what I’m saying at all. I’m only saying it’s a different brand. If you’re interested in it, I can knock a little off, but it still won’t be close to the deal you’re getting on this one.”

Morgan laid his hand on the cherry upright.

“Well, since the stain isn’t what I want on this one, I think it’d be fair if you took at least another ten percent off.”

“You’re already getting it at a third of its value. I can’t go any lower.”

Fed up with the man’s haggling, Julian marched toward the showroom. As he did, he saw the man give the side of the piano a kick, making an echo resound in the chamber, and say, “Does it at least have a good sound?”

Julian stepped through the door. “Whether it does or doesn’t is no reason for you to disrespect it. You haven’t even paid for it, yet you kick it like its trash.”

Morgan gasped. “Julian…”

The man scowled at Julian. “And who are you?”

As soon as his final words left the man, the teen boy snatched
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his arm. “Dad, that’s…it can’t be.” The boy’s head snapped to Morgan. “But you called him Julian, so he has to be.” He looked to Julian. “You’re Julian Forrester from Conquest!”

“Yes, I am.” Julian walked the rest of way into the showroom.

“Dude, you rock! What are you doing here?”

Julian stood at Morgan’s side. “This is my favorite music store.

I’m getting ready to leave on tour with the guys tomorrow and wanted to pick up some last minute supplies.”

The teen looked to his father. “It’s his favorite store! You know that band you’re always telling me to turn down? He’s the keyboardist!”

“And pianist,” Julian added. “And from what I see, you’re on the borderline of stealing this piano.”

The teen pulled his father’s arm. “We have to get it! We have to!”

“I’m not getting this thing just because he says it’s good.” The man turned to Morgan. “I want to hear it played.”

Morgan gestured toward the keys. “Then have at it.”

“This thing is for my wife. She’s the one who knows how to play.”

Julian grinned at Morgan. “So then, you play.”

Morgan frowned at him. “Why don’t you?”

Julian’s grin turned into a wicked smirk. “Well, if you want me to play it, then I’ll have to give you my manager’s phone number, and you can try to reach him, but if you can’t you’ll have to leave a message, and he might not call you back, but if he does, then he’ll work on setting up a rate and day—”

“I get it, I get it. You don’t want to.” Morgan huffed and sat on the bench. “Just everyone know that if it sounds off, it’s my playing not the piano.”

Morgan stared at the keys for a moment. He took a deep breath, exhaled a defeated sigh, and lifted his hands to the keys.

From low notes to high, he ran through a scale demonstrating Keys to Love
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the piano’s range and sound.

Julian watched Morgan’s fingers. His movements were specific, perhaps a little heavy, but not without grace. He looked at Morgan’s face, and from his concentrated visage, he could tell Morgan was focused more on hitting the right keys than the sound they produced. Still, he warmed at the sight of seeing him play, and couldn’t help but think of what it would be like to sit at a piano with him to help him polish his craft.

Morgan finished and looked up at the man. “Good enough?”

The man shrugged. “Gave me an idea of how it sounds. Not sure if I like it, though. Sounds a little out of tune.”

“Are you kidding me?” Julian said. “The instrument’s in perfect tune!” He patted Morgan on the shoulder. “Here, it seems I have no choice.”

A large smile on his face, Morgan hopped up.

Julian sat at the bench, cracked his knuckles, and snapped out his hands. He dropped them to the keyboard. The first notes of Beethoven’s 5th Symphony burst from the piano. Julian let his frustration explode out the song, the powerful chords booming through the shop. He brought the first movement to an end and moved his hands to his hips as he glared at the man. “Good enough?”

The man quickly nodded. “Yeah, yeah. It’s good.”

Julian stood and walked toward the office. “Then pay what’s owed to him and wrap this up.”

He heard Morgan chuckle and say, “Sorry. Temperamental rock star, you know.”

Julian caught himself before he laughed out loud. He took a seat behind the desk again as Morgan and the men finalized the agreement on the piano. Chopin trotted to him. Julian patted his lap and the dog jumped his front half up. He glanced up at movement near the door.

The teen stood barely peeking in. Meeting Julian’s gaze, he stepped further into the doorway. “Mr. Forrester, I was wondering
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if I could please have your autograph.”

Julian smiled and waved him in. “Of course, and you don’t have to be hesitant. I’m not nearly as temperamental as I appear.”

The teen walked into the office. “I didn’t think so. Out of everyone in Conquest, you seem the most laidback.”

Julian pulled a blank piece of paper toward him. “The others are pretty laidback also. What’s your name?”

“David. But I have to tell you, Conquest is my favorite band.

You guys rock hardcore and Jesse is awesome! It’s because of him that I’ve started my own band.”

“Do you play piano?”

David looked at him, confused. “No.”

Julian held the autographed paper toward him, signed with,
It was a pleasure to meet you, David. Thank you for your support of
Conquest. Much love, Julian Forrester
. “You should consider learning.

It’s Jesse’s favorite instrument and you’re getting a very fine one today. Be sure to take good care of it.”

“I will! Thanks for this!”

Morgan appeared in the doorway, along with David’s father and the other man.

David’s father flicked his head toward the exit. “It’s time to go.”

His eyes on Julian, David held up his cell phone. “Would it be okay if I got a picture with you, too? Otherwise my friends won’t believe I really met you.”

“Sure.” Julian stood and moved to David’s side.

David handed his phone to his father, who grumbled under his breath, but held up the phone to snap a picture nonetheless.

Julian rested his arm over David’s shoulders and called upon his best public smile. With the picture taken, David thanked him again and turned to leave, Morgan showing them the way out.

Morgan returned, smiling as he walked toward him. “That was one of the more interesting sales I’ve done.”

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Julian let out a snort and turned his gaze back to Chopin as he petted him. “He was an ass. I feel bad that piano is going to him.”

“His money is as good as anyone else’s. I’m sure his wife will take good care of it.” Morgan gently touched Julian under the jaw and brought his gaze to him. “And it was nice of you to chat with the kid.” He leaned down to him. “And to help me out, too.

Seems like you’ve come to my defense a lot since we’ve met.”

“What can I say? You’ve sparked the protective side of me.”

Morgan brushed his lips across Julian’s. “Just like you have in me.”

Julian brought their lips together. As the kiss came to an end, he spoke with his lips still on Morgan’s, his voice hushed and breathless, “I want you again.”

Morgan tried to slow his quick breaths. “What about getting something to eat? You’re hungry, aren’t you?”

Julian stood, pressing their bodies together. “Let’s go back to my place. We can order something up from the restaurant in the building.”

“Perfect.” Morgan gave him another deep kiss, then took his hand.

Julian clipped Chopin’s leash on and walked toward the door, giving the shop a final look before stepping out.

Julian strolled toward the dressing rooms with Chopin, noticing how many of the roadies stopped what they were doing to grin at the dog. He saw Morgan up the hall standing next to an extra set of keyboards with Remmy. He looked nervous. Julian gave him a soft smile, then saw Jesse step out of his dressing room with Achilles on a leash, Evan following with Iris.

“Hey, there you are!” Jesse called. “I was starting to wonder about you. You’re late again.”

“I know, I’m sorry,” Julian said.

Jesse waved his words away, his gaze on the Golden Retriever.

“So this is him. He’s cute. What’s his name?”

“Chopin.”

Jesse laughed. “Yeah, it’d figure you’d have a friend who’d name their dog Chopin.” He handed Achilles’ leash to Evan and walked toward Julian and Chopin. “Are you a good boy, Chopin?

Do you want to go on tour and be a rock star?”

Chopin’s tail hit an all new rate of speed as Jesse approached.

Jesse extended his fist down to him. Chopin gave it a quick sniff and stretched toward him. Jesse went to one knee, and the dog instantly tried to lick him. Jesse petted him as he looked up to Julian. “Well, he’s cool so far.” He glanced back at Evan. “Let’s see what happens when you bring them up.”

Evan walked forward with both dogs trying to drag him. Jesse took Achilles’ leash and allowed him to get near Chopin. While the two dogs sniffed at each other, Evan edged Iris closer, her tail whipping back and forth. After they greeted each other, Chopin suddenly dropped his front end down in a play stance and let out a bark. Achilles hopped back, then sprang forward. Chopin jumped up, and all three dogs started bouncing and trying to play despite the hands holding their leashes.

Evan chuckled. “I think it’ll be fine to take him with us.”

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Jesse nodded. “Yeah, they’re friends already.” He patted Achilles and shifted his voice to baby talk. “Do you have a new friend? He’s cool, isn’t he?”

Kenny peeked out of the dressing room, then stepped further into the hall. “What’s all this?”

Jesse glanced back at him. “This is Chopin. He’s coming on tour with us.”

Kenny stared at him for a moment. “What? Why?”

“I’m doing a favor for a friend,” Julian said. “He’s going out of town also and only had his mother to care for him, whose health is poor.”

“Hasn’t your friend ever heard of a kennel?” Kenny asked.

“He’ll be gone for several months. I didn’t think it’d be a problem.”

“And it’s not.” Jesse petted Chopin again. “He’s more than welcome to come with us.”

Kenny marched toward them. “Listen, it’s not that I don’t want him with us, but it’s going to be packed enough on the bus with those two.” He pointed at Achilles and Iris. “Now we’re going to have another big dog? And what about all the hair? On the last tour, I was constantly picking dog hair off my clothes.

It’d even get into a locked suitcase.”

Jesse pointed at him. “I don’t know what’s got your panties in a bunch, but I would’ve thought you’d be in a better mood since you’re banging your dream girl, thanks to me. So do you still want to say Chopin can’t join us?”

Kenny face flushed bright red. He spun away. “No, it’s fine.”

Speaking through soft laughter, Julian called, “Are you sure?”

Kenny flicked his hand in the air. “It’s fine!”

Julian turned to Jesse, and had to drop his gaze since Jesse was kneeling on the floor playfully batting at the dogs, which got them riled up.

Evan laid a hand on Julian’s shoulder. “Thanks for bringing Keys to Love
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something along to help entertain him.”

Julian smirked at him. “But I thought that was your job.”

“Well, even I need a break once in a while.”

“Geezer,” Jesse snickered.

Evan looked down at him. “I’m sorry, who was saying I needed to take it easy on him this afternoon because he was going to be too worn out to perform tonight?”