Taking Something (10 page)

I kept my distance when she was at Sadie's, which was pretty much my home now. Sadie all but stomped her feet any time I mentioned going back to my hotel. And Gia kept her distance from me as well, doing her work for Sadie and promptly leaving without so much as a “goodbye.” It was for the best. I didn't need to be distracted.

She'd been practically invisible when she came into the studio during Sadie's and my time together, but I still saw her look at me. I saw her because I was finding it harder and harder to not look at her. She was mystery to me in every possible way—the girl who had it all right in front of her and just walked away. And it was eating me alive to not know the reason that she left the industry behind, which was stupid.

She hadn't mentioned anything to Sadie about the whole Landry thing, so I considered myself lucky. Apparently, she wasn't going to try and get me booted out of Sadie's life so I needed to just let it be. I needed to get my mind right.

Focus on Sadie and what I'd set out to do. I had to stop obsessing over finding out more about Gia and quit daydreaming about what it would be like to touch her, kiss her, or....
Jesus. Can. Not. Go. There.

“Okay, Sadie,” I said into the mic, forcing everything else in my head to take a back seat. “Let's hear it.”

“Okay! I'm so excited, Nick! I haven't played it for anyone.” She smiled at me from the other side of the glass.

She was perched up on a stool with her guitar on her knee. She actually looked the part of humble singer-songwriter. She'd insisted enough times that she was, and seeing her sitting there—auburn hair pulled to one side in a loose braid, minimal makeup, and a pair of worn-in jeans with a hole in the knee—I almost believed that she might be able to pull it off.

That was, of course, until she started strumming and opened her mouth. She'd asserted that acoustic was the route she wanted to take.

Unfortunately, it wasn't working. All you could hear was her voice. Loud and clear. And it wasn't good. Sadie needed the full treatment—lots of bells and whistles—to sound like a polished musician.

She strummed out the final note—the same note she'd played practically the entire time—and let out a sigh.

“Well?” She grinned. “What'd ya think? It's my best work, right?”

“Sounded great, babe,” I lied and released the call button. “What the fuck am I supposed to do with that?” I asked the universe, quietly begging that a meteor fall on the studio and end my suffering. I was royally screwed if I didn't come up with something. No way was Hollace Westwood putting his name on that craptastic song. In my panic, I forgot for a second that I wasn't alone in the room.

Gia. I felt her standing behind me. Then her chest brushed against my shoulder as she leaned over the mic.

What is she doing?

She was going to out me for what I'd just said. I held my breath and waited for her to speak, nervously watching her delicate fingertips press down on the call button.

“Hey, Sadie,” she said sweetly. “I think that version will be perfect for your live shows, but what about recording it with the band? It might need to pop a little more for radio play. I mean, I’m sure you know that already.”

“Yeah. I guess,” Sadie replied hesitantly.

“And I think if you speed up the hook just a bit it will really grab listeners. And maybe add in a couple riffs,” Gia suggested.

This girl is a genius.

“Your riffs are amazing, babe,” I said, hoping that she'd take the bait. I leaned forward, letting my shoulder touch Gia's. If Sadie hadn't been able to see us both, plain as day, I might have hugged her—or more, because being this close to her was torture.

God, she smells good.
Both calming and exciting all at once. Like fresh air on the first day of spring.

“If we're going to get this song airplay, I think it needs something more.”

“Imagine it with big backing at the end. What if you brought in a choir?” Gia suggested. “An homage to your Madonna cover days?” Gia painted on an enthusiastic smile. I did the same, hoping that we could will Sadie to get on board.

Sadie looked a little disappointed, but instead of pitching a fit, she actually agreed. “I'll give it a shot. I really want this song to be my first release.” Sadie cast her eyes down for a second and I bumped Gia's shoulder with mine, giving her a wink. We'd done it.

“Maybe we should—” I started to say
pick something else to release first,
but Gia spoke up.

“Sounds like a good idea. Try out a couple different versions then,” Gia said over me. She let up on the button and turned to me. “Pick your battles,” she said out of the corner of her mouth. “She agreed to the band. Let's see if it sounds better with more noise.”

I nodded. Gia was right. The fact that Sadie had agreed was the victory. Surely, I could find some way to edit it into something decent.

“Gia,” Sadie called out. “Can you run out and grab us some lunch? If we are going to have to wait for the band to show up, I'd love one of those grilled chicken salads from Avante's with dressing on the side.”

“Got it,” Gia answered. “You want something?” she asked me.

“With no tomatoes!” Sadie added. “You forgot last time and I nearly starved. You know I have an allergic reaction.”

“Nah, I'm good.” I watched her scroll through her phone and hold it to her ear to place the order, obedient assistant that she was. Although now it was painfully obvious to me that Gia was meant for more. The way she heard the music—one time through, nonetheless—and came up with a plan to make it halfway recordable spoke miles of her artistic ability and musicality. Even if I hadn't heard her sing, she had something. Something that made her more valuable than the lowly assistant Sadie treated her like.

“Oh! And extra feta!” Sadie's voice screamed out once again.

“Sure thing,” Gia answered, trying to hide the annoyed look on her face with a smile.

“Did you hear me?!” Sadie called out again, unable to hear Gia’s answer that she had. “Hey!”

“She heard you,” I said, pressing the call button and garnering a quick glare from the other side of the glass.

“Can I get a to-go order?” she asked into the phone, silently thanking me with a slight grin. As she walked over to the couch to pick up her belongings, I found myself watching her once again. Waiting for her to end the phone call so I could thank her. I needed her to know that she was appreciated, and Sadie was damn sure never going to tell her. My thoughts and intentions were interrupted when Sadie plopped down on to my lap. I hadn't even heard her come into the room.

Gia waved goodbye with the phone still to her ear. Apparently it took a while to order a salad with all of Sadie's requests. She walked out the door and took my mind with her.

“Guess what?” Sadie whispered into my ear, grabbing the lobe between her teeth and gently tugging.

“What?” I rolled my eyes, knowing exactly what she was going to say.

“We're all alone.” She giggled. “Wanna test drive that sofa before the band shows up?” I looked at the worn leather and all I could see was the spot that Gia sat in each time we were in this sound booth.

“I've got a better idea.” I started to stand up. Sadie put her feet on the floor and followed. “Let's take a walk.” I grabbed her hand and pulled her to the door. “I need some air.”

“S
COTCH. DOUBLE,”
I ordered, bellied up to the bar at some hole in the wall Landry had asked me to meet him at.

After the day I had listening to the garbage Sadie wanted to record, I needed a drink. Or ten. The band had helped, but it was still a long way from album-ready. And then there was Gia. I couldn't quit thinking about her. After convincing Sadie to try out different versions of the song, she’d resumed Operation Ignore Nick, which was really pissing me off. I wasn't easily ignored.

“You found it.” Landry's voice pulled me from my thoughts of Gia.

“I did,” I laughed. “Cab driver had to Google the address, but I made it in one piece.”

“Yeah, it's kind of a forgotten place,” he said, sliding onto the stool next to me. It surprised me that he was alone. People like Landry Westwood usually traveled with an entourage. The crowd was thin in the bar and no one gave him a second look when he ordered a beer. Just locals who weren't affected by the presence of Hollywood. “I used to come here a lot when I was younger, before the fame. The people here don't care if you're rich, poor, or famous, as long as you can pay for your drink. And they never card anyone.” He laughed. “Me and my pals spent quite a few nights of underage debauchery in this place.”

“Seems like a low-key place,” I added.

“For sure. Mostly locals. Paparazzi don't even know this place exists. I haven't been here in a while, but I've never had a problem.”

I nodded. It was nice to know that there were still a few places famous people could just be normal. With the technology today, it was amazing. Everyone had a cell phone, and no one seem to mind taking a picture, but not in this place. Everyone minded their own business. I liked it.

“So Sadie let you out of the house tonight?” he joked, taking a drink.

“Oh, she threw a fit.” I rolled my eyes. “I insisted that it was a work meeting and she finally let up. I like her, but damn if she isn't clingy.”

“I should have warned you,” he chuckled. “In my defense, I thought I'd have a little more than twenty-four hours to do so.”

“Yeah. It happened fast. I guess the heart wants what the heart wants,” I said, referring to Sadie. My heart had only ever wanted one person and I’d fucked that up. I was pretty sure I'd never have to worry about falling in love again. “So, anyway,” I said, changing the subject. “I talked to Gia. Mentioned the duet.”

“Oh yeah.” Landry's eyes brightened at the possibility.

“It was a negative. A big one. She's not ready for a comeback yet.” I wish I had more of an explanation for him. And kind of for me.

“That's all right. It was long shot. I appreciate you asking her though. You didn't have to do that.”

I played it off. “It wasn't a big deal.” It was big deal. It had solidified her contempt for me. “Since she's out, I was thinking—”

“Sadie?”

“I've gotta ask. She's my girlfriend and all.”

“I mean, I guess we can give it a shot. If it sounds like shit, we'll change it. It's just such a great song and I don't want to waste the opportunity to make it as big as it could be, you know?”

“Oh, I completely understand. I think she can pull it off,” I said, only half-believing my own words.

He agreed to stop by the studio the following week and record a demo. Then we drank. And then drank a little more.

Despite the vibrating cell phone in my pocket, I let myself forget about needing to get back to Sadie and just hung out. It was nice. Landry and I had quite a bit in common. Music, sports—you know, guy stuff. It was a relief to not have to talk about Sadie's favorite subjects for change. Namely herself.

“How about you and your girl join me for dinner this weekend?” he asked. “Sadie and I might as well rekindle our friendship if we are going to sing a song together. I really only see her at industry things and it's hard to have a conversation.”

“I think we can swing that.”

Landry finished up his drink and stood. “I better get out of here before someone recognizes me.” He laughed. “Give me a call. Let me know if dinner's on.”

He reached out and shook my hand. I probably should have followed him out the door and gone home to the redhead who was blowing up my phone, but in true Nick style, I ignored it. I hadn't been alone in what seemed like forever and I was reveling in the freedom.

“Another,” I summoned the bartender and slid him my empty glass. The bar had started to get a bit crowded with regulars, and a deejay had started playing a collection of dance favorites. I had half a mind to go up to the booth and show him how it was done, but instead I enjoyed the old-school playlist. Wasn't too often you heard Kenny Loggins followed by Tupac.

I turned on my stool to look out onto the dance floor at the group waving their hands and mindlessly jumping around to the beat. Imagine my surprise when a striking brunette turned around and revealed herself to be just the girl who had invaded my mind.
Gia.

Smiling and laughing without a care in the world.

Landry and I had been situated on the corner of the bar and must have been having a pretty in-depth conversation when she walked in.

How had I not seen her?

She moved her hips back and forth, divulging exactly just how much rhythm she had and how well she could pull off a pair of tight jeans and a tank top. The bare skin of her shoulders glistened with sweat as she moved with the crowd. She looked ridiculously sexy, even under the cheap multicolored lights that were flashing along with music.

With the booze I'd been drinking all night and the relief at not having Sadie clinging to my side, there was no way I wasn't dancing with her. Or at least talking to her.

The way her body was moving was begging for attention, and I could see the vultures starting to circle around. It was the first time I'd seen her look happy-go-lucky. Perhaps that meant she would be willing to forget for at least a song about being pissed at me. She'd helped me out in the studio, but I wasn't sure if that was for me or just for Sadie. Besides that, I considered that I was about to do her a favor. I doubt she wanted some nobody grinding all up on her.