Listen to Me (Fusion 1)

Addie grins and simply links her fingers with mine. “Where can I sit that I’ll be out of the way?”

“You’re not in my way,” I reply and kiss her cheek, then whisper in her ear. “Well done.”

“Tiffany’s on her way with lunch,” Max says as he noodles the keys.

“Tiffany?” Addie asks curiously. “You mean, I don’t have to be the only woman in the middle of all this testosterone today?”

“Tiff is my girlfriend,” Max says.

“And he’s lucky to have me,” Tiffany says as she closes the door behind her. She’s carrying bags of sandwiches and drinks from a local deli. “You must be Addie.”

“The one and only,” Addie confirms with a grin and joins Tiffany. “Let me help.”

“We’re going the simple route today,” Tiffany says. “Sandwiches, salads, and drinks. We’ll just set up on Jake’s desk.”

“Perfect,” Addie replies and begins asking Tiffany a wide range of questions, pulling the other woman into an easy conversation. I join Steve and Max at the piano.

“I like her,” Steve says quietly.

“I couldn’t tell,” I reply sarcastically. “I didn’t know that she dated Craig.”

“You and I both know that was a test,” he says with a smile. “I love you. I want to know that the woman you’ve chosen to bring into your life, whether it be for a week or twenty years, isn’t a—”

“She isn’t,” I interrupt.

“No,” Steve agrees. “She isn’t. Craig is a lot of things, but he loved her. He said good things about her. Shame that he fucked around and lost her.”

Typical.

“Can we stop talking about women now and get down to business?” Max asks. “We have four songs to record today.”

“I thought we were recording three,” I reply, and smile at Addie as she hands me a sandwich.

“I found a fourth,” Steve says, all business now. “It’s brilliant, and could even be the first single from the album.”

“Let’s hear it,” I reply. Max cues the demo up and plays it as we munch our lunches. Steve’s right, the song is amazing, and perfect for his voice. It’s hip, but has a vintage edge to it, which will appeal to his older fan base. “I love it. Play it again.”

By the time we’ve all finished our lunches, we’ve heard the new song five times, and I’ve memorized the lyrics.

“We already have music tracks laid for the other three,” Max says. “This new song will have to be done from scratch.”

“So, let’s go ahead and record those three, then we’ll see where we’re sitting for time. I can have studio musicians in here tomorrow to record this new one.”

“Perfect,” Steve says with a grin. “I’ll stay in Portland one more day. Maybe your girlfriend will come to her senses and decide that I’m the better man after all.”

We all look over at the two women sitting at my desk, eating their lunch. Addie is long, curvy, and blond. Her makeup is minimal today, making her look young and fresh. Tiffany is shorter, with less curves and dark hair cut short. She’s wearing her signature red lipstick, and a smile that brightens the room.

They’re quickly becoming friends.

“Yeah, I don’t think that’s going to happen, buddy.” I clap Steve on the shoulder.

“Pity.”

IT’S BEEN A long day, but we’re finally finished with the three songs we originally wanted to record today. I have musicians lined up for tomorrow, and Steve has left for the night.

The girls moved their little party out beside the pool about an hour ago while we wrapped things up. Addie seemed to enjoy the studio time. I loved having her here. I loved answering her questions, and watching her face when Steve sang.

Even with as many years as he has under his belt, the man can still sing.

“Hey, guys,” Tiffany says as she walks into the room. “Can I have a minute with Max?”

There’s something going on. I narrow my eyes at her, but she just smiles, silently reassuring me.

“Is Addie by the pool?”

“Yep. We’ve been talking about you.”

“Great.” I laugh and walk out the door, closing it behind me, and immediately see Addie sitting in a chaise under a wide, red umbrella. “How are you, baby?”

“I’m great.”

“Why do I get the feeling that Tiffany has a secret?”

“Because she does.”

I scoop Addie up, then sit with her in my lap. “What is it?”

She shrugs and settles against me, burying her face in my neck.

“Do you know?” I ask and kiss her head.

“Of course. What do you think we’ve been talking about?”

“But you’re not going to tell me?”

“Not my secret to tell,” she replies simply.

“Okay, tell me about Craig instead.”

She doesn’t stiffen, or look uncomfortable. She simply kisses my neck. “He’s the past, Jake. We were together for a long time, but we couldn’t make it work.”

“Steven says he heard that Craig cheated on you.”

“I’ve heard the same rumor,” she replies softly.

Suddenly, the door to the studio bursts open and Max comes running out, his eyes wide and excited, and if I’m not mistaken, wet.

“What’s wrong?” I ask as I stand and set Addie on her feet next to me.

“Not one thing,” he replies and pulls me in for a hug. The kind of hug that usually makes men very uncomfortable. “I’m gonna be a daddy.”