“I’ll show you a workout,” Dax grumbles under his breath.
Yeah, this is my favorite part. This summer is going to be brilliant.
Dax
“Really? Are you having a laugh?” Adam asks Ross Evans, our manager.
I scan the room, checking the face of each one of my band mates. They all have the same shocked look that I’m sure I have on mine.
Ross smiles. “No Adam, I’m quite serious.”
I turn to Ross. “So, you’re saying that Underground Records wants us to sign us and have us go on tour with U2? The real U2, not some basement band cover rendition?” My expression must be comical because Ross start
s laughing.
“Yes, that’s exactly what I’m saying,” he answers once he’s finally stopped making fun. “Just the U.S. part of the tour, not the European or other countries… yet. If they like what they see, who knows?”
None of us say a word. Gavin and Hawke are eyeing Ross dubiously, as if waiting for him to shout out “just kidding!” and claim the entire thing is a joke. Adam is staring intently at his shoes, his fingers scratching back and forth across his unshaven jaw.
I guess it’s up to me to break the silence. Standing, I hold my hand out to Hawke’s uncle, a man who has done everything in his power to get us noticed and apparently, it’s just paid off.
He shakes my hand, pulling me into a hug. “Thanks mate.” I slap his back a few times. “We couldn’t have done this without you.”
Ross releases me, the excitement on his face evident. “You guys are great. I’ve told you that before. It was only a matter of time until someone important noticed. Now they have and the only direction you can go is up. They want you in the studio right away to get an album released in time for the tour.”
The others finally get to their feet, excited and congratulating Ross and each other. I accept my handshakes and pats on the back with a smile. A bottle of champagne is produced, doled out to each of us in real crystal flutes. God, Kate’s going to freak out when she hears we’ll be touring with bloody Bono.
This is it. What we’ve been working for. Over a year slogging in tiny clubs up and down the California coast has turned into our dream.
I want to call Kate, but it’s better to do this face to face. I want to see the excitement on her face when I tell her. Adam and Hawke are chatting with Ross about the studio space we’ll be recording in while Gavin is on his own mobile speaking to someone.
“So, tomorrow, I’ll send out the recording schedule and give you guys all the information you’ll need. The phone number at the studio, your new producer’s phone and email, your contact at the studio, you’ll need that email as well…” Ross goes on and on about minute details when really I could care less. We’ll be making an album, going on tour, and living our dream—that’s what I care about.
Kate
“I cannot believe it!” My face is splitting in half I’m grinning so big. “You’re going on tour? With U2?”
Dax nods, his smile larger than any I’ve ever seen on his handsome face. I’m so proud of him and the other guys I could just burst.
“We are, angel. I want you to come with.” Dax pulls me into his arms, nuzzling his mouth and nose against my neck.
“Dax.” He places kisses up and down the sensitive skin, sucking my earlobe into his mouth. “God, Dax. I want to, but I can’t go on tour with you.” My breath is coming faster and heavier. I can’t think when he’s doing that.
“What?” Dax stops, pulling back to face me. “Why not? I want you there.”
“I want to be there. But you said it’s in four months. I have school, Dax. And it’s footy season. If I don’t keep my grades up and continue football, they’ll pull my scholarship.” My hands find their way under his shirt, using my thumbs to caress the skin on either side of his waist just above his low-slung jeans.
“But… I’ll be gone for six weeks.” His brows pull together and his beautiful lips turn into a frown.
I laugh. “You’re being silly, Dax. I’m not going anywhere. It’s good timing actually. I’ll be so busy with my studies and traveling to matches, we wouldn’t be seeing each other much either way.”
Still sulking, Dax thinks about it for a minute. “I don’t like it. I want you with me, Kate.”
Really?
Removing my hands from his skin, I cross my arms. “I’m not quitting school to go on tour with a rock band, Dax. So you’ll have to adjust. We have all summer, and then when you’re gone, we’ll talk every night and you can send me photos and text. Good thing you got me that mobile, yeah?”
Dax nods, but it’s stiff. He doesn’t like this at all. Stubborn, bossy Dax isn’t getting his way and he doesn’t know what to do. Did he really think I’d just give up my life to follow him around the country?