Page 16 of Firecracker

Chapter Five

Leaving the studio, I felt like a different person. Telling Izzy what actually happened was what I needed, it was the best medicine for me. I mean, I know I have a long road ahead of me, but with Izzy by my side, I’m sure I can handle anything. I want, or I should say, I need to do this on my own, but I need to know Izzy is here, ready to catch me if I fall. So far she hasn’t disappointed me.

We’re stopping by to check on another friend of Izzy’s, Eva. Izzy told me she was on tour with the girls in Europe. She is, or was, Alexandria’s assistant before Alex became a DJ.

The elevator dings and when the doors open to the floor I hear a squeal.

“That would be Eva.” Izzy laughs exiting the elevators.

“IzIz, I’ve missed you so much,” Eva beams.

The girl’s as small as me but a bit taller. Shit everyone is taller than my tiny ass.

“Hi Eva, I want you to meet my best friend from back home, Ruby. Ruby, this is our very bubbly, very energetic friend, Eva,” Izzy finishes laughing. Eva is bouncing foot to foot with excitement.

I smile extending my hand. “H-”

I’m cut off when she practically jumps on me, giving me a big hug. “Ruby Tuesday! I heard so much about you. I’m so happy to meet you finally.”

Just hearing her call me by the nickname my mother gave me sends shivers down my back.

“Don’t call her by that name. Please. We hate it.” Izzy’s voice comes off stern but she’s smiling.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know.” She releases me, and I smile, laughing. “Hi.”

Eva extends her arms. “Goddamn you're gorgeous. Look at that little body. We need to work on your outfits but hot damn.”

Eva keeps checking me out by walking around me. I just stand there smiling.

This girl is loco.

Izzy who’s laughing, steps in to save me finally. “Eva, leave her alone, we don’t want to overwhelm her on her first day here. So tell me, how is work going with Alex? Do you need any help?”

Eva stops in front of us, and her whole face changes from happy to stressed. “Iz, I am dying here.” She drags out each word. “Seriously, I have so many demos, contracts, and tours to set up that I’m fucking going crazy. Like batshit crazy.”

She looks between the two of us before landing her sight on Izzy again. “When are you setting up your next tour line up?”

We both are looking at Izzy now.

“I’m taking a break from touring right now. I’m working on a couple of songs and just staying local. I need to get my shit right before I go out again.”

Eva takes a step toward her, extending her hand touching Izzy's arms. “Sweetie, I’m sorry about all the drama with Dominic. He seriously has some major issues. I’m just glad he’s back home in Russia for a few months and not bothering you anymore.”

Shit, I’m such a bad friend. I haven’t even asked her about Dominic.

Izzy smiles. “Thank you. It was over with Dominic a long time ago. I’m just glad it’s over. I need to be single for a while and work on myself.”

Eva smiles, reaching out giving her a hug. “Well, I could use all the help I can get. Seriously they need to hire someone to help me. Someone with music experience.”

That has my attention and I’m about to ask what kind of music experience when Izzy beats me to it.

Izzy always the mind reader. “What kind of music experience do they need to have? What does the job entail?”

This bitch. I see what she is doing. Look to my new future, uh-huh, right.

Eva walks back to her desk sitting down to fumble through the mass of papers.

“I need someone that has an ear for good music and someone that knows the ins and outs of the club life. How to book’s events, sets for DJs, so more or less have management experience but most important has an ear for good music.” Eva points to the massive stack of CDs and flash drives sitting there.

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