Page 4 of Step By Step

“Please, we built the display just for local bands. We all love Purple Hearts. We sold out of the last records we got at the show last month.”

“No way! No freaking way,” I repeat her words, both of us laughing. “This is so sick. Dude, can I buy one? I mean, I own one since I wrote the songs, but I want to buy one at an actual store so I can make them sign it.”

The redhead looks pale suddenly, a hand fanning herself. I reach out to her, but she rushes around the counter. I am wrapped up in a huge hug as her little body collides with mine. I blink down at her, stunned at her outburst.

“I love your music! You want a job here? Why would you want an actual job when you can be a rock star?”

Flushing, I back away from her tight clench. She gazes up at me the way I often see people watching Donna. Seeing her onstage is magical and I love watching her work a crowd. This young girl is looking at me as if I am the star.

“Oh, no, no, I am not part of the band. Donna is just my best friend. I write music for them because... I mean, because they like my songs?”

“Like your songs? Dude, the entire staff here loves your songs! You’re hired, by the way. I don’t care if you even come to work, just come in when you can. I cannot believe you want to work here! First Jordan Bower goes off and becomes famous, now you! This is totally righteous!”

“You are amazing,” I gush at the girl, noting her nametag. “Tina. Do you mean it? I’m hired?”

“For sure! I am so stoked. When do you want to start? Oh, speaking of Jordan, have you heard about the back-to-school show? He’s doing a wicked cool giveaway. You could spend the day with him, hosting the show!”

Suddenly I think seeing that now hiring sign was literally a sign. If I can work here, I can help the band move records and get the word out about how outstanding they are. It might not be as bold of an approach as Donna’s, but it is a start.

“I did not know that. That is awesome. If we could get the band to meet Jordan, maybe they could get some airplay.”

“Totally! He would be a fool not to see how great your music is!”

“Well, I mean, it’s their music. I just write it.”

“Jordan is a cool dude. He comes back to visit us a lot and we do giveaways and get tickets to shows. Oh, my gosh! If we could get him to give tickets out on his show, the band would get so many new listeners!”

“Tina,” I start softly, smiling down at her. “Why is someone so smart working at a record store in a mall?”

Tina grins up at me as she bounces back behind the counter, inviting me along. Her freckled face is lovely, her big eyes green and bright. In cute paint splattered overall shorts and a neon shirt, she looks like any other teenager hanging out at the mall.

“This is my dad’s place,” she explains behind her hand, as if we’re sharing secrets. “I am finishing college, some business courses, so I can help him get more stores going. I just... I love music, man. It’s my jam. Literally. I never want to work in an office or something that doesn’t inspire me.”

“Tina,” I tell her as I toss an arm around her slender shoulders. “I think you and I will be fabulous friends, dude.”

“Wicked! Was Donna with you earlier? I thought I saw her.”

“Yes, it was. She went to sweet talk Jordan Bower I guess.”

“How about you introduce me to her, and I introduce you to Jordan? He is not some snooty star now, but he will be super cool if he knows I know you.”

Laughing, I agree, excited by her infectious enthusiasm. Tina takes me on a tour of the store, talking about the various formats they carry and why. She explains they have talked of bringing some VHS in, musicals or similar, for customers to have a one-stop shop for entertainment.

It feels as if it is just minutes as I learn the store, but when I glance outside, I see it is dark out. Glancing at the clock, I realize I have been here almost two hours! It is then I know that this job, whatever it leads to, is the perfect place for me.

Donna comes bounding in when Tina is handing me a fresh set of uniforms—just cool neon shirts with the Tape Deck logo—and talking about hours I can work. When she spots Donna, she flushes bright red and backs behind the counter shyly.

“There she is,” I call to Donna, waving her over. “Donna, I just found your biggest fan. Do you see what they did for the band?”

Showing her the display, I am a little miffed she is not as excited about it as I am. They made something special for local bands to showcase them and it’s epic. I shoot her a stern look, silently chastising her for being so apathetic to this young fan.

“This is amaze-balls,” Donna turns it on, nodding at me as if she gets me. I smile at Tina as she opens up, the two talking about the display, the band’s last show, and the coming concert at the mall.

Once she starts closing, we call it a night. I promise to come back the next day to work and laugh when she seems stunned I truly want the job. On our way home, I tell Donna all we talked about, about trying to get a meeting with Jordan. It seems her sour mood was due to her striking out.

Point one for me, I guess. BecauseIam going to get someone-on-one with Jordan Bower.

Chapter Three

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