Rubbed Raw - Omitted Scene 3 – Murphy’s Law

This is the original scene before I shortened it. (After scene in the park)

From there, we headed to the studio. It started raining when we got to the parkway. I was so glad Giovanni made me wear boots and jeans when we rode. He didn’t want to risk me getting road rash if I fell. The rain stung my hands. I couldn’t imagine how it would feel on bare legs. I kept clenching my fists, trying to stop the pain.

“Put your hands in my pockets!” Giovanni shouted to me. He had gloves on, so it wasn’t an issue for him.

I slid my hands into the pockets of his leather jacket, one at a time, afraid to let go at highway speed.  At least my jacket kept most of me dry. I hunkered down and let his body protect my neck, the only thing exposed at that point.

As soon as we arrived at the studio, Giovanni and I pulled our emergency change of clothes from his backpack I normally carried. He walked me to the main bathroom. “I’ll send Chris over here.”

“I’ll be fine walking around the studio alone.” I smiled. “I’ll call for Chris if I’m nervous, OK?”

He lifted my chin. “It’s amazing how much therapy is helping.” Suddenly he hugged me. “I’m sorry I’m smothering you, but we were supposed to be together that night. Sometimes I feel like…” He pulled my head to his chest and took a few deep breaths.

“Giovanni…” I tried to look up at him, but he wouldn’t allow it. “Let it go, please.”

After a minute, he pulled back, leaned down and gave me a quick kiss on the lips. Then he headed to the back bathroom. I closed myself in the restroom in front of me, locking the door. I was wet down to my underwear. After stripping and hanging my clothes as best I could, I rummaged through the bag.

“Shit! Where the fuck’re my panties?” I checked every pocket of the bag and frowned. “This is gonna be interesting.” Sliding the tiny black shorts on, I knew anyone who looked at my ass close enough would know I was going commando.

Minutes later, I looked at myself in the mirror. The shorts were riding up without panties in the way. I wished I had something other than a short tank top. A T-shirt might have covered my clearly defined ass cheeks. With a sigh, I grabbed the backpack and carried it in my hand into the hallway.

Crazy Mike stood a few feet from the bathroom talking on the phone. He was Gasoline’s head sound technician when on tour and one of three Michaels on the crew. He turned to me and smirked then watched me walk by. “Nice ass, guess you’re getting used to us, huh?” He hurried to get around me and stopped. Not putting a hand on me, he put his phone away then looked me over. “I’d be willing to be your backup when Giovanni’s not in the mood.”

My mouth dropped. He was as bold as Tommy. “Um, we’re not into that.” Nervously, I backed up.

“Hey, I won’t hurt you.” He stepped forward. “I was just offering my services. It’s up to you if you want them.”

My eyes darted from him to the hall beyond, silently hoping for someone to show their face. “I… I… I don’t… think… so.” I swallowed, trying to relax. His expression was not menacing and neither was his demeanor. I didn’t know him well enough to see he was harmless, for the most part.

“Crystal, you OK?” Chris walked towards us with a concerned look on his face. “Mike, do me a favor and step back.” He met my anxious gaze and put a hand out to me. “Crystal, do I need to get Chad or Giovanni? Crystal…”

I froze, unsure.

Then Crazy Mike backpedaled slowly. “I’m sorry if I scared you.”

Chris, next to me, softly asked, “Come on. Let’s go inside.”

I took his offered hand and berated myself for the fear as we walked to the studio’s main room. “I’m sorry.”

“Hey, don’t be sorry.” Chris stopped. “It takes time to get back to being yourself.” He gave me his brightest smile. “You’ve come so far.”

Chad appeared behind him, “Something wrong?”

“I’m fine,” I assured him and walked away from them both.

Not wanting to let my lapse set the mood for the day, I lifted my bass and put the strap over my head. Playing normally calmed me and helped me focus. Without plugging into the system, I closed my eyes and fingered the notes to “Don't Wanna Be Like You.” The intricate bassline was prominent as in a few of our other songs. We planned to record the song that day.

Chris and I came up with the lyrics before the Boston contest. I called him, bored, and we decided to take a trip to the river to people watch. It was something only he and I seemed interested in. We were sitting on a bench talking when several skateboarders flew by. Both of us kept our eyes on them, while they dodged joggers and cyclists. Then they veered off the path and took turns grinding across a bench about twenty feet away.

Their carefree actions, reminded us of how unique we had become as a band, not sticking to one type of sub-genre like we used to. After an hour of watching them, we went back to Chris’ place and wrote the first draft of the song. The lyrics were funny at first then we got serious and cleaned them up.

Minutes later, Giovanni stuck his head into the room I was in. “Hey, everything OK?”

I looked up and smiled. “Yeah, I just got nervous. Mike didn’t mean it.”

“Mean what?” He scowled then turned around. “One them touched you or something?”

I tugged on his arm. “No. We were talking.” Under no circumstances was I going to repeat what Crazy Mike said. “I guess I’m still kinda leery of the guys here.”

“Next time, I’m not leaving you alone.” He grabbed me and squeezed me tight.

I sighed, wanting him to let up some. “You can’t be there all the time.”

“I know. That’s where Chris comes in.”

“What if he’s busy?” I tilted my head to see him seemingly lost in thought.

He took a noisy breath. “I guess… then I’ll let Chad look after you. He feels just like me when it comes to your safety.” His hands slid down my body. “As long as he keeps his lips and hands to himself.” He growled and gently grasped my ass. “Oh shit, no panties.” His lips touched my ear. “You hoping for a quick fuck before we go?” His entire body relaxed then tensed. “God, you know how to get me hard.”

I closed my eyes as his stiffening cock pressed against my belly. After being watched that morning, I knew it turned him on. Would he be bold enough to lift me up right in the studio?

“Sorry I’m late.” Jon’s deep voice echoed. “You guys’re ready, right?”

Giovanni reluctantly let me go. “We’ll finish this later.”

Once we started playing, I thought of nothing but the music. We ran through the song once then listened to Jon’s suggestions. The song was broken down, adding in the ideas. Then we sped up the tempo as requested and played it again. It sounded even better.

After the last note, I watched Jon for his usual call for a break after several complete run-throughs. Sam and Vince, Gasoline’s top techs, appeared to be arguing with Jon up in the booth. I thought the song sounded great and the only thing left was background vocals.

            I came out the room I played and asked Chad, “Any idea what’s gong on?”

            He shrugged. “Damned if I know. I thought it was good.”

            “We gotta do that again.” Jon’s booming voice startled me.

            I looked up again then yelled, “What’s wrong with the last take?”

            “Not all the tracks recorded right,” Sam said over the mic.

            Phil got up from the couch and shouted. “Which ones are good?” He was an electrical genius, but hid it well.

            “Vocals and bass,” Sam replied as he came down the stairs. “Maybe something’s not plugged in?”

            Phil quickly started to check the drum set’s microphones. “Ah, fuck,” he grumbled. “This whole side is off. Did we blow a fuse?”

            “I’ll check.” Sam walked past us to the back room.

            Chris walked over to the table on the far wall and opened a bottle of water, looking bored. Vince had come down as well. He and another man, whose name I had forgotten, were checking cables with Phil. They called to each other a few times, trying different outlets.

            Then Sam shouted, “Chad, play something.”

            “Sure.” With a shrug, Chad slid his fingers over the frets before starting the solo from “Devil’s Boy.” He bobbed his head and swayed a bit, as he got lost in the music.

            I watched him with lust growing quickly. His talent always turned me on. Moreover, we had that song playing a few times while we fucked. When he was done, I finally realized I had been staring and hid my feelings as best I could. I had to squash them fast. He could never know how much I still wanted him.

            “How’s that?” Chad yelled, looking up at the control room.

            Jon and Crazy Mike leaned over a soundboard. Mike had headphones on. He nodded a few times then shook his head.

            Jon looked annoyed. “It’s choppy. Sam, you find anything, yet?”

            “No. It all looks good. Giovanni, play something.” Then Sam disappeared again.

            Giovanni began the intro to “Where I Wanna Be,” another new song. It used every drum and cymbal in his arsenal. His eyes closed for a few seconds while he pounded the bass drums in perfect sequence.

            “OK, OK.” Mike called down to us. “Let me play it back.” He donned the headphones again for about thirty seconds then shook his head. “Hit the right bass a few times.”

            I sighed and sat on a stool, also bored.

            Chris was soon at my side. “You wanna take a walk? Looks like it’s gonna be a while.”

            “Where’d you wanna go?”

            He smirked, “To get a beer.”

            I glared at him.

            “I’m kidding. I don’t drink before five unless there’s a good reason. Hmm… maybe…”

            Smacking his arm, I scowled, feigning annoyance.

            “You know I’m teasing?”

            “Yeah,” I looked up. Chad and Giovanni were talking, while Phil, Vince and Sam were checking every connection in the place. “Doesn’t look like they need us anyway.”

            Chris walked over to the drumset and said a few words to Giovanni before coming back to me.When Chris and I stepped outside, I smiled at the sunshine. We had left the rain behind in New Jersey. Chris put a hand on my back as we walked down the stairs, then let go when we hit the sidewalk. We walked for two blocks, not talking, just looking around the busy street. New York City was so different from the town we lived in.

            “Did you see that chick?” Chris was almost laughing as he steered me around some commuters rushing by us. “Her skirt’s so short I swear I saw camel toe.”

            I laughed along with him, knowing exactly which woman he meant. “I could see her nipples through her white top.”

            “Hooker?”

            “Nah, stripper.”

Suddenly he pulled me close to him by the waist. “Come here.”

If he were Tommy, I would assume he was trying to cop a feel. However, he wasn’t. I glanced around and saw a large group of male teenagers coming towards us. As we passed them, they all looked me up and down. I wished I had more clothes on.

Chris leaned his head down and whispered. “I saw them lift a woman’s skirt up ahead and I didn’t want them touching you.” Then he let me go.

“Thanks.”

We wandered around, checked out a few clothing stores then went into Macy’s on 34^th Street. That store blew both of our minds. Since neither of us had seen it before, we looked like gawking tourists. It must have been a funny sight.

On one of the upper floors, we sat on a few beds. Chris lay back as I watched the few couples around us do the same. “Hey, we need one of these in the vans for the tour. This is comfy.” He stretched out and grinned. “I’d get a lot more girls with this at my disposal every night.”

It wasn’t a bad idea. “Would all the equipment fit with that much floor space lost?”

“I can ask Mark to help me measure and see.” He sat up. “Wouldn’t it be better to sleep on a mattress than a sleeping bag?”

I sighed, wondering how many fights there would be over who used it for the night, even if we got two. “True.” With six of us and two beds, it could be a daily argument. “You and Phil would probably get the most use out of them.” I gave him a shy smile.

“From what I heard, you and Giovanni’d be rocking his van for hours every day.” He stood up and winked. “Phil said you two really go at each other.”

My face heated up instantly. “I’m gonna kill him,” I muttered. Then my phone chimed. I pulled it out and unlocked the screen. “Hey, they got it. They want us back.”

By the time we walked back into the studio, the last lost drum track was recorded. Giovanni walked right to me. “Where did you guys go?”

“For a walk,” I leaned into his embrace and smiled, “Heard you guys got things working again.”

Giovanni chuckled. “Yeah, after Sam knocked out the power then a fuse. Phil fixed it though. He told me what it was, but I have no idea what he said, something about a voltage spike or short tripping a breaker. Whatever, as long as everything’s on track again.”

            “Alright, everybody get in front of a mike.” Jon called down to us. “I want group background vocals on this one.” He waited until we were all in place. “OK all at once….” Then the lights went out. “What the fuck now?” Jon’s voice was muffled, but he must have shouted to be heard on the floor.

Rubbed Raw - Omitted Scene 2 – Band Meeting

This takes place between Triple Threat and Rubbed Raw

It was the Monday after my first therapy appointment. I was cooking in Chad’s kitchen, while he was at work. If I were alone, it would have seemed that time had reversed. The many times I made Chad dinner while I did my laundry or just because, flooded my mind as I stood over the stove.

We weren’t there for Chad though. Jon Harris of Gasoline and the owner of Demonfire, our band’s record label, was coming for dinner. I looked down at my outfit. I toned it down as much as I could, so he would take me seriously. The tight blue jeans were fine, but my tank showed off more cleavage than I realized. Maybe I should put on one of Chad’s T-shirts?

“Why are you so stubborn?” Giovanni came up behind me. “I feel like a lazy sack of shit watching TV while you’re working so hard.”

I tossed marinated pork pieces into a large fry pan. “There’s nothing for you to do.” I had cleaned the living room and kitchen thoroughly not long before, needing the work to empty my cluttered mind.

“I can set the table or cut vegetables.” He placed his hands on my shoulders. “If Chad was here, you’d let him help.”

I sighed. “No. He’d force me to accept his help, by taking things out of my hands and just doing it.”

“Well, I can do that too.” Giovanni grabbed the knife I had just picked up. Then he opened the refrigerator. “How do you want the pineapple cut?”

Giving in, I replied, “In small cubes.” Then I added, “Take out the celery and carrots too, please.”

Giovanni and I work together for a while, him prepping and me cooking. It wasn’t something we had done often. I smiled when the morning we cooked breakfast together flashed before me. After I had added semi-cooked rice to the pork, vegetable and pineapple, the front door opened.

 “Hey, what smells do good?” Chad made a beeline for the kitchen. “I could smell it from the driveway.”

I turned back to the stove and stirred the dish in the skillet. “See for yourself.”

Chad leaned over the pan and took a deep whiff. “Damn, baby. I love your sweet and sour pork.” He quickly kissed my lips then whispered, “You’ve been taking the medicine, right?”

“Yes.” My tone told him I wasn’t happy about it. “I don’t feel any different.”

He knew I hated to take any sort of pills. His hands rubbed my shoulders. “It takes a while to get in your system and it’s only temporary.” He moved closer to my back, his body nearly pressed against mine.

I grit my teeth, trying not to like it. After a short time, I felt his cock start to harden. I gripped the spoon harder, resisting leaning into his body. He still drove me crazy, but I had to control myself. I needed to be faithful. He was making that very difficult. His breath on my neck made me shiver. I swore he was doing it on purpose, baiting me.

“So,” Giovanni said loudly. I turned, and he was a foot to my left. “When will dinner be ready?” Although he tried to look nonchalant, his eyes screamed of the jealousy within.

I looked down at the pan, “In a few minutes.”

Chad stepped back, making cool air replace his presence. I shivered again, wishing I could forget how his body felt. Then I gasped as arms wrapped around me. Confused, I looked down. The dagger tattoos made me sigh with relief.

“I’m trying,” Giovanni softly said in my ear.

I closed my eyes. “I know.”

“Does he have to kiss you?” Giovanni’s voice oozed with envy and anger.

I leaned back on him and quietly replied, “You need to tell him how you feel. It coming from me is not the same. Explain to him what’s OK and what’s off limits now. He’ll understand. He said he wants me to be happy.”

There was a knock on the front door. Chad had disappeared, so Giovanni let me go to answer it. I took a deep breath and checked the rice and pork mixture before me. After lowering the flame and putting the cover on it, I moved to the refrigerator to take out drinks.

“Am I late?” Chris asked as he walked in.

Giovanni told him, “Jon’s not here, just sit and relax.”

“My hands are shaking,” Chris stammered. “I can’t believe this is real.”

Nervously, I set the table between checking on the simmering food on the stove. My angst came from a combination of Chad’s draw, wanting to impress Jon Harris and worry that I would fear him. Chris and Giovanni’s voices came from the living room, but I tried not to listen. I needed the solace to sort out my head.

“Baby,” Chad touched my arm. “You…”

I jumped and dropped the drinking glass in my hand. It shattered all over the floor. “I’m sorry.” I looked up at him, my hands trembling.

“Hey,” he hugged me tight. “What’s wrong?”

Torn between holding him and pushing him away, I didn’t respond.

“She OK?” Giovanni called from the other room.

Chad ran a hand down my back. “She’s shaking. It was just a glass.” He lifted my chin. “Talk to me. Is it flashbacks?”

I shook my head, but wasn’t sure what to say. Another hand pressed against my shoulder and I flinched before clinging to Chad. The tears that followed bothered me even more.

“It’s me,” Giovanni whispered. He stroked my hair while talking softly. “Something scare you?” He wiped a tear away. “Come here.” He tugged me from Chad and held my head to his chest. “Whatever it is, we’ll get through it together.” He cradled the back of my head. “Let me in, please.” He hated that I hid my feelings often, but I didn’t want to constantly burden him.

I took several deep breaths. “I’m just anxious about tonight.” Glancing at the floor, I hoped the medicine calmed my nerves. The doctor had told me we could try another type if the one I was on didn’t help. She assured me the one I was on should also ease the anxiety I had most of the time.

“We’re all just gonna talk.” Giovanni’s voice was soothing.

A slight clatter made me lift my head. Chad was checking the stir-fry. “This looks ready.” He turned off the heat and looked at us. “You want it in the clear bowl?”

“Yeah, but it can sit for a minute or two. Just put the top on.” I then watched Chad clean up the glass as I tried to get it together. When I felt calmer, I pushed on Giovanni’s chest. “I’m better. Let me finish.”

Giovanni let me go, but didn’t leave the kitchen. He waited for Chad to stand up then found the bowl I needed on the left cabinet’s top shelf. His strong hand covered mine as I reached for another glass. “I’m gonna help you. I don’t care if you don’t like it.” He glared at me until I relented and lifted the pan’s lid.

Minutes later, I sat on a chair in the eat-in kitchen, a glass of iced tea to my lips. The cool liquid felt good. I felt better since everything was complete. Chad, Giovanni and Chris sat on the couch watching the Yankee game. I had taken another dose of medication, which seemed to make a small dent in my mood.

I stood when the doorbell rang. With a smile, I opened the door. “Hey, Jon.” He subtly looked me over; although I noticed his eyes linger at my chest. Oh well, so much for taking me serious.

“You look nice.” Jon met my eyes. “Thanks for the dinner offer. I don’t always eat home cooked food.” He stepped inside and looked around. “Damn, it smells awesome.” He tentatively put out his hand then lifted his arms. “Um, I don’t know how to greet you. Most musicians I deal with are guys.”

Giovanni came up behind me and thrust his hand out. “Hey, Jon thanks for coming here.” He rubbed my arm while he shook Jon’s hand. “She shakes hands.”

I put my hand out also. “I’m glad you came too.”

Jon’s dwarfed mine when he clasped it. Then he lifted my hand and kissed it, while he pulled me closer, “Nice to see you again.” His eyes met mine. I could tell he was used to women throwing themselves at him, and he expected me to do the same. My instinct was to back away, but I didn’t want to upset him.

Clearing his throat, Giovanni tugged me back. “Me and my girlfriend here are excited to find out how this is going to go.” He was obviously staking his claim over me.

“Oh, OK.” Jon looked towards the television for a bit. “Sorry if I stepped over a line. I didn’t know she was taken.”

Giovanni let out a long breath on my neck. “It’s all good.”

“Time to eat,” Chad announced as he stood. He and Chris greeted Jon then he led the way to the table. “Crystal’s a great cook. You’re gonna love this.”

We settled into chairs, me between Jon and Giovanni. The food was passed around and drinks poured. Mundane conversation dominated the first few minutes. Jon asked about the band’s start and semi-personal questions about our lives.

Then Jon lifted his fork and changed the subject. “I wanted to get together with you guys sooner than this, but my schedule is crazy sometimes.” He took a drink then continued, “I would’ve brought my partner, but he’s kind of a silent partner. He doesn’t meet all the bands until they get to the studio.”

“Who’s your partner?” I turned to Jon, curious.

He hesitated. “Maybe it’s better you find out at the studio.” He winked at me, but that didn’t explain his answer. After finishing another forkful of food, he addressed all of us. “I want you to know, I heard about you guys before the Boston festival. Crazy Mike was at a club you played at a few months ago. If things hadn’t been so crazy, I might’ve had a chance to check you out. It all worked out though.”

The room was quiet as everyone cleaned what was left on their plates. Small talk started up again as Chad and I cleared the table. We left the dishes for later and ushered everyone into the living room.

“We should talk about expectations, the schedule and you all have to sign the official contract.” Jon sat next to me.

I moved closer to Chris, on my other side, unsure of Jon’s intentions at that point. Giovanni and Chad sat on the love seat not far away. My hands involuntarily curled into fists as the anxiety returned. I glanced at Chad several times, hoping he would see I needed assurance. He was looking at Jon though.

Jon’s deep voice soon filled the room again. “I don’t do things like other people in the business. I feel mentoring helps develop bands’ talent and creativity.” He smiled and looked at me. “You’re gonna turn some heads at the studio, but the guys are harmless.” His hand nonchalantly landed on my thigh.

I jumped and cried out, launching my body the opposite way. Chris caught me, but I couldn’t stop the tears from beginning. I looked at my hands, embarrassed.

What the fuck did I do?” Jon stood up.

Chad scrambled to me. “Baby… baby, relax. Jon’s not gonna hurt you.” He sat on the floor and guided me into his lap. After a kiss on my lips then forehead, he hugged me tightly. “I’m not gonna let it happen again.”

I didn’t want to be afraid, but the medicine didn’t take away my reactions. “I hate this.”

“I know.” He nuzzled my neck. “It’ll get better. I swear.”

Giovanni sat in my place and picked up my hand. “Can I do anything?”

“Um, guys… what the fuck happened to her?” Jon had his arms folded over his broad chest. “And don’t tell me ‘nothing.’ She was fine in Boston. Today she looks like a nervous wreck and all I did was touch her leg.” He glared at the guys, waiting.

I had no idea I was so transparent that day. Faking a smile, I looked up at him. He obviously didn’t buy it and scowled at us.

Chad put me on Giovanni’s lap then he stood, meeting Jon’s eyes. “You may wanna sit down.” He paced for a while, his face showing signs of distress. When he stopped, his eyes were glassy. “One of her fans stalked her.” He took a few breaths. “I didn’t know he was dangerous. If I realized he would…” His eyes closed, as tears fell. “I didn’t go upstairs with her.”

I wanted to jump up and hug him, but I was frozen, not wanting to hear what happened.

He continued, quieter. “He attacked her. It’s my fault. I flaunted her and made her into a sex object…” He walked away, punched a hole in a wall then went out the front door.

“I got him.” Chris hurriedly followed him.

Giovanni didn’t let me go the entire time. I cried softly, but knew he was just as upset. I raked his hair with my fingers then asked him, “You OK?”

He hugged me tighter. “I’m fine. How about you?”

“I’m OK.” I slowly glanced at Jon who was dumbstruck.

He touched my cheek and I shied away. “Sorry. I should know not to do that.” He looked at his hands. “I had a feeling that was it. It was the look in your eyes. The same look that Josie had when I came home.” He stood and walked to the kitchen, “Gimmie a minute.”

I casually watched him clench and unclench his fists while he tried to pull himself together. Without knowing him very well, it wasn’t easy to be sure what was going through his mind. He seemed to be acting just like Chad. I wonder who Josie is.

Hands on the counter and staring at the sink, Jon asked, “Can you handle being in my studio with an all male crew? I’ll talk to them and make sure they keep their distance. I promise.”

I was a bit choked up and had to clear my throat to talk, “I don’t know.”

“I fucking hate guys like that.” He punched the counter. “Rapists should be fucking castrated.” His extreme anger told me he had definitely known someone in my position. “Who was it? I have connections. I’ll…”

Giovanni interrupted him. “Jon stop. He’s in jail. Stop talking about him. She freaks out.”

“You don’t understand.” Jon’s voice had gotten soft. He turned and tears streamed down his cheeks. “The emotional turmoil sometimes drives you crazy, or makes you change. Josie flipped back and forth before she…” He bit his lower lip. “Crystal, please tell us if it gets too hard to handle on your own. Please.”

I opened my mouth to say something, but Giovanni put his fingers over my lips. “I took care of it. She’s getting help. Sorry about your…”

“Girlfriend,” Jon came back to us and flopped down on the love seat. “While we were on tour a few years ago, a guy broke in, tied her to our bed and raped her for days. I rushed home when she finally called me, but she was never the same. She killed herself a few months later.” He hung his head. “If I was there, I coulda stopped him.”

“You don’t know that.” Giovanni wrapped his arms tighter around me. “Me and Chad still blame ourselves for leaving her alone, but we had no clue he was watching.” He kissed my temple. “What if doesn’t help.”

It was the first time I heard Giovanni talk about anything emotional, other than his feelings for me. I wanted to say something helpful to both of them, but had no clue where to start. At least the talk of someone else shifted my thoughts away from my attack. The three of us sat there, silent, until the front door opened.

Chad walked in and headed directly to me. “I’m sorry I ran out.” He lifted my hand off Giovanni’s shoulder. “Is everything alright?”

“I’m fine.” I gave him a smile. My tears had dried up and I just felt bad for Jon. His burden was much worse than the rest of us. I vowed to find a way through it. No way was I going to wind up destroying Chad and Giovanni as Jon was. “I’m really OK.”

He caressed my cheek. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there.”

“It’s done.” I looked into his eyes. “Please, don’t blame yourself.”

He averted his eyes for a few seconds then leaned closer. “I’ll work on it.” Then he softly kissed my lips. “I love you.”

Giovanni quickly shifted me on his lap so I was further from Chad. “We need to get back to business.” He glared at Chad for a bit then turned to Jon. “You ready to keep going?”

Jon nodded. “Yeah, I’m good now. Thanks.” After Chad and Chris sat on either side of me and Giovanni, Jon took a deep breath and said, “OK, so the plan is to record Monday thru Friday starting in the morning. I have a few things book in the evenings, so we need to quit about five most days. How’s eight or nine in the morning sound?”

Chad put a hand up. “Um, I got a day job.”

“Oh, wow, didn’t know that.” Jon frowned. “What do you do?”

“Website maintenance and hardware support.”

Jon tapped his chin. “Any way you can remote in? We do that when things go down, well, when we can that is. The studio’s in Manhattan, so it’s quite a haul if we need to get onsite. Everything’s hooked up with remote access.”

“Sure.” Chad smiled. “I can ask if they’ll let me work from home or something. But I need a few hours for my daily stuff. There’s always something to be added or fixed somewhere.”

“We can push it to 11:00.” Jon’s head tilted. “Maybe you can help us sometimes. Sam’s pretty good when I don’t know what to do, but some things are over even his head.”

Chad’s eyebrows rose. “Eleven is good, as long as I can take a break here and there to check my messages.” When Jon nodded again, Chad added. “And if you need my help with the servers or whatever let me know.”

Jon looked pensive for a minute. “Crystal, I’ll make sure every precaution is taken to assure your safety. The studio and the parking lot have video surveillance.”

“I’m sure it won’t take me long to feel safe there.” I put my arm around Giovanni’s shoulders and turned so I could see Jon better. “How many songs should we have prepared?”

“At least twelve,” Jon gave us a half smile. “Do you have anything no one’s heard yet?”

Chris moved in his seat. “There’s a few, and some others we played live only a couple of times. We did a lot of writing since we won the contest.”

“Good.”

Standing up, Chris asked, “You wanna hear some of it?”

“I wish I had time.” Jon looked at his watch. “I gotta be back at the house at nine for a meeting with another band. There’s one more thing I wanted to say.” He paused. “I want to bring out Chris’ amazing range, so I might ask for changes here and there.” His gaze moved to me as he got to his feet. “Stay well. Let me know if there’s anything I can do.”

Also getting up, I replied, “Thank you.” Feeling emotional, I hugged him. His body tensed for a few seconds then he put his arms around me as well. He was so much bigger than I thought. I felt lost against his football player type body.

“Like I said,” Jon stepped back from me. “I gotta get going.” He shook everyone’s hand. “See you tomorrow.”

When the band was alone again, Giovanni looked at me. My eyebrows rose. “Talk to him or he’s not gonna change his ways.”

“Can’t you just tell him?” Giovanni screwed his face up. “I don’t wanna get pissed off.”

I sighed. “I already did. He’s impulsive. You need to drill it into his head what you don’t like.” I walked towards the kitchen. “Chris, help me do the dishes.”

Chad stepped in my way and grabbed my ass briefly. “I’ll do it.” He winked. That meant he planned to cop a feel a few times, at least.

“I need to talk to you, Chad,” Giovanni almost shouted, “Now.”

With a look of confusion, Chad eyed him, “About what?”

“Crystal,” Giovanni folded his arms over his chest, making him look even more intimidating. “Let’s go take a walk.”

Chris scanned the pair’s faces. “Um, should I be worried about you two killing each other?” He seemed nervous.

“No,” Giovanni assured him. “We just need to figure something out.”

Realization came to Chad’s eyes. “Oh, I see. Let’s go.” He ran a finger down my cheek and headed outside with Giovanni.

“Hey, Crystal, you look worried.”

I turned to Chris. “Just hope talking is all that happens out there.”