Page 56 of Fractured Rhythm

It was starting to come together nicely, as were three of the other songs I’d finalized recently. We were getting into the groove and finally ready to record something.

An hour later, we’d laid down the tracks for “Fight Me,” an edgy rock anthem, and two others, including a love song I’d written about Cassie. They’d teased the fuck out of me for that one, with Jax dancing around the room, whispering oh, Cassie after each verse. I should’ve kept what was going on with me and Cassie to myself. Of course, her ripping into me at the club the other night and then us rushing out of the dive bar last weekend had basically killed that chance.

“I sent a few samplings over to Josh from today,” Tristan said as we sprawled out on the couches and had a few beers.

Rusty had bailed twenty minutes ago once we were done recording so he could get home to Rosemary. Something about a home-cooked meal and Netflix. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t jealous of the man.

Then our phones all pinged in a new group chat.

Josh:Fucking killer, guys. Sounds amazing. A rock anthem and a love song. The label is going to eat this shit up. Keep it coming. Want to get a mini-tour scheduled. It’s been two years. Want to make sure your fans haven’t forgotten you. Thinking of keeping it local. Six shows in New York. Maybe something in Connecticut. I have a few spots in mind. Maybe three or four weeks.

“Seriously? He needs to slow the fuck down. We just sent him new material, and he’s already got us going on tour,” I burst out.

“Fuck yeah, we’re going on tour. It’s a small one. I miss performing. We need to get out there, and this new material is going to be epic,” Jax said, tossing back his beer and grabbing a new one from the cooler next to him.

“We need to decide on a drummer before that,” Tristan said, his gaze directed at me.

“What?”

“You know what. You’re dragging your damn feet. Charlie is great. Why haven’t we called her up to give her the job?” Tristan asked.

“You aren’t nervous that there could be drama with adding a woman to the mix?” I asked.

“Seriously? Because women are more emotional? That’s sexist, you idiot,” Tristan said.

“No, because Jax will try to hit on her and get her into bed,” I said.

“She’ll shoot him down. She went toe to toe with him and it was a thing of beauty,” Tristan said with a grin.

“You know Jax can’t keep it in his pants,” I said.

“You know Jax is in the room, you assholes,” Jax fired back and we all laughed.

“Seriously. I won’t try to hook up with her. She was a kick-ass drummer and we are in need of one of those. For the good of the band, I will keep it zipped up. Even if she throws herself at me because I’m so fucking irresistible,” Jax said, like he was some saintly paragon.

“Fucking delusional, not irresistible,” I shot back.

“That’s not what the ladies say,” Jax preened.

“Whatever, man. So we good with Charlie? I want to get this settled. One less thing for Josh to be up our asses on,” Tristan said.

“Yeah. Yeah, we’re good with Charlie.” It killed me to pick Jamie’s replacement, but we had to do it. He wouldn’t want the band to fall apart without him. I had to believe that.

Then the group chat pinged again.

Josh:You guys up for a tour? Call Charlie yet? She was fucking awesome on drums from the recordings you sent me. Should be a done deal. As long as Jax promises to keep it in his pants.

Jax:JFC! I’m capable of not hitting on a woman.

Tristan:Are you? ARE YOU?

Josh:Great, you’re all here. So Charlie? Tour? Done deal?

Bash:Calling Charlie today. Jax promises to keep his pants zipped. Claims he’s irresistible, but we all know he’s full of shit.

Jax:Fuck all of you.

Tristan:See. All he thinks about is fucking.

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