Jack told me last night that there was yet another change in the schedule, and that they are going to be making an appearance on one of the morning talk shows today.They’re in Houston right now, but See Her has become a regular fixture with the country’s listeners, and the fact that Turn it Up can be caught on tour with The Shock Wave is creating a lot of buzz.
Rich and Sabrina, two of the hosts from America Live, flew out to be on location to do a piece on the “hot new band”.They typically do the more fun segments on the show, which is fitting because they have a great banter with each other, as well as the guests they interview. Sabrina is a bubbly platinum blonde, while Rich is slightly older with more of a laidback sense of humor.They’re going to interview the guys about the song, and what touring has been like for them.
Finally, a commercial break concludes, and I pause my session to sit down on my mat when I see a camera angle panning to Rich and Sabrina, seated kitty-corner to the band. Sabrina looks glamorous, as always, in a red halter style jumpsuit, and begins speaking first.
“Good morning to all of you back in New York, and to all of you at home! Rich and I are here in Houston, just one of the many stops that The Shock Wave is making on their sold out Dreams and Schemes tour!”
“Right, and we were able to catch up with their chart-topping opening act!” Rich chimes in. He’s in a dark blue suit with a red tie, and is sporting his usual short, dark haircut. “We’re here with the band Turn it Up, whose song See Her has been rapidly climbing the charts, and winning over listeners all over the country.”The camera pans out to show the guys all sitting to the left of them. They have assembled them so that Chris and Josh are sitting in taller chairs behind Matt and Jack.
While Matt is sitting closer to the hosts and leaning in a bit, Jack is resting his elbow on the arm of his chair, his chin resting on his hand.His smile is kind but quiet, and I’ve always been in awe of how he is in real life compared to his stage persona.I bet it’s hard for America to wrap their heads around it, too.What they normally see is this adrenaline-fueled rock star with hair that hangs dramatically in his face, singing hard and throaty into a mic on stage. And now they’re seeing the regular Jack, who is sweet, humble, and camera shy.
“Thanks for taking the time to chat with us, guys,” Rich finishes.
“So… take us through what these last few weeks have been like for you.” Sabrina excitedly waves her hands around after salutations are out of the way. “Having your first single take off like a rocket, and then jumping on tour with one of the biggest musical acts in the country can’t have been easy. How has it been going?”
Matt does most of the talking, with Chris and Josh adding to the conversation. Chris, of course, is being his silly self and getting laughs out of everybody. Jack speaks up here and there, but you can tell he’s happy for the spotlight to be on the other guys.
“Now, the song,” Rich says, straightening up and leaning forward a little, like he wants to get down to business, “has been a smash hit. I want to talk about the video you released with the single that has broken a million views on YouTube now, and the number is still climbing.”
“Yeah,” Matt nods, shifting in his chair as he delves into how much the guys liked the concept and how fun it was to shoot. As he’s talking, the view on the TV goes to a side-by-side view of the conversation and snippets of the video.
“It’s an amazing video,” Sabrina says, leaning forward and placing a hand on her chest. “About ninety of those views were by me.” The guys all laugh. “Seriously. You guys are all so brilliantly showcasing your talent with your personalities; it really pulls in the viewer.” She nods at all of them appreciatively before continuing. “And the glimpses of the dancer were such a nice touch. It makes for a solidly alluring video. It was a great way to debut yourselves as a band.”
It's at that moment, the camera so happens to catch Jack’s reaction to Sabrina mentioning my appearance in the video. A slow smile pulls across his face, and even though no one is around, I feel my cheeks warm at the adoration in his expression.
“Oh boy,” I say out loud to myself as Sabrina leans her arm on the side of her chair and then points her manicured finger at my husband.
“I saw that, Jack,” she smiles slightly, only making him smile wider and turning his face more into his fist. “Is there something we should know about that dancer?”
Finally, Jack straightens up and clasps his hands in front of him.
“Yeah, she’s my wife.” His response is met by a collectiveawwfrom both the hosts and the rest of the guys. The second screen goes to a candid shot of Jack and me, hugging on the set of the video shoot. I had no idea it had been taken.The photo gets more gushing from Rich and Sabrina before it fades back to showing another clip from the video. It’s the clip where the band is playing, and Jack is watching me with an intense look in his eye.
“Oh, so that’s real right there,” Rich says, smiling and gesturing at the other screen. “That look, you’re not acting there.” More soft laughter comes out of Jack and the guys.
“No, sir, I’m not,” Jack says, shaking his head and smiling.I swear my entire body swells up, and I feel like I might float off my mat. The reassurance I’m getting from the way Jack lit up at the mention of me filled all my tanks to the brim, and I feel like it’s fueled me to get through the rest of the tour. It also makes me miss him more, if that were even possible.
“That seems like a sweet son-in-law I have there,” my mother pipes up from the kitchen, making me jump just a little. I forgot she was there for a moment. I turn to grin at her over my shoulder, and see her watching the screen wistfully over her coffee cup.
I huff out a small sigh, but there’s a smile with my eye roll as I turn back to watch the interview wrap up.
Jack
We just playedone hell of a show in Baton Rouge, and I should damn well be headed to the raging after party the hotel has planned, but dammit…
“My throat’s a bit sore. I think I should sit this one out,” I tell Matt as he hits the button for the elevator.
“The front man not showing up to an after party is not a good look,” he reminds me with an admonishing eyebrow. Whatever. He’s fucking with me, and I know it.
“Neither is a lead vocalist who can’t sing because he went out and fucked up his voice by socializing and pouring alcohol down his throat all night,” I point out.
His eyebrows go up as he crosses his arms. “Hey, good one. I call dibs on it next time,” he says, holding a finger up.
“Yeah, but not tonight,” I mock lecture, as I back away in the direction of my room. “You’re on babysitting duty with the other two,” I chuckle, referencing Chris and Josh, who hauled ass straight to the party almost right after our set. They’re both probably two shots in by now, at least.
I wave at Matt as he strolls onto the elevator car, and he gives me the bird as the doors close.
He knows I’m lying out my ass, but I don’t care. My throat doesn’t hurt; hell, I feel fine. I feel better than I have this whole time since Maze left. Since we talked things out after that major hiccup, we’ve been in such a good place. We both feel more secure and on solid ground. We communicate as much as possible, and flirt like hell whenever we can.