Chapter 4
CHAPTER FOUR
Grayson
“Make it a generous pour,” I say to Al as he grabs the bottle of whiskey from beneath the bar top.
“Rough day?” he asks, raising one bushy white eyebrow.
“Did you hear anything yet about the film?” Brayden asks.
Hutch leans forward to look around Brayden. “I heard you working on it. The guy’s an idiot if he turns it down.”
Al pushes the glass toward me, and I take a long sip. “I haven’t heard anything yet,” I tell them before taking another drink. I wish they’d change the conversation. I’m nervous as fuck. I’ve worked so hard to get a chance and this could be my big break. I feel my knee start to bounce with nerves as I down the rest of the expensive whiskey.
“Slow down, kid. I’m sure you’ll get it,” Al murmurs as he pours me more of the amber liquid.
“Hopefully,” I manage as I glance over at my new neighbor. She’s only been here an hour and Roxy has already made best friends with half the building. She’s sitting on the arm of an Adirondack chair that Drew is occupying. Her hands are animated as she explains the plot of some book to Drew, Jessa, Margie, Cam, and Cornelia.
“So what do you think of her?” Carly asks me. I feel Al looking at me. I turn to find both of them leaning on the bar, watching me expectantly from the far side of the wooden table. Hutch and Bray also look my way.
“She’s loud,” I state because it’s true and it doesn’t give much away. The truth of the matter is, I don’t know what I think of her yet. I was annoyed with her noise, but I could also tell she wasn’t intentionally trying to be a rude neighbor. She just seemed oblivious, which in my anxious state is not welcomed. I almost feel bad for snapping at her, almost.
Carly rolls her eyes. “No, seriously, what do you think?”
Al leans in toward Carly. “She’s gorgeous. Don’t you think?” he asks us both.
“Yep,” Carly agrees. My eyes follow their gaze back to Roxy. Her long blonde hair sways as she finishes her story and starts laughing at something Drew says. She leans back and her blue dress rides up her thighs, revealing more creamy flesh. Her eyes sparkle and the blue color of her irises seems enhanced by the bright blue dress. Her red lips are turned up, exposing perfectly straight, white teeth. Freckles dot her nose and cheeks. Her nails are painted a color that matches her lips. I can’t deny it. She’s indeed beautiful.
I decide I don’t need my friends to know my thoughts about that yet. So, I shrug.
“Yeah, she’s pretty,” I say as nonchalantly as I can muster.
Carly leans over and slaps the back of my head.
“Ouch! What was that for?” I groan as I rub my head. I glance back over to see Drew taking his empty glass and coming toward us.
Ava giggles from where she’s still sitting on Hutch’s lap, playing a never-ending game of tic-tac-toe with Brayden, who pulls out a fifth napkin to start again.
“Ava, never hit people,” Carly says looking around my head at her daughter.
“OK, Mommy,” Ava whispers as she tries not to laugh.
“Unless they are being idiots,” Brayden says as he also smacks my head.
“Shit, guys. Cut it out,” I hiss.
They all laugh. “Oh, come on. I’ve only met her for a few minutes and even I admit she’s gorgeous,” Hutch says as he glances over at her.
Drew leans on the counter. “Who’s gorgeous?” he asks, batting his eyes.
“Our new neighbor,” Brayden states while keeping his eye on the board. “Ava! That’s cheating.”
“No, it’s not,” she protests, crossing her arms.
He groans as he scratches out the move she just made for him and blocks her.
“Who doesn’t think she’s gorgeous?” Drew asks, looking down the bar at all of us while holding his empty glass up for Al to refill.
“Gray,” Hutch says under his breath.
Drew glares at me. “You are so full of shit.”
I give him a pointed look because Drew is gay and he also is dating someone.
He glares back at me. “I’m gay. Not blind,” he quips.
“Whatever. I said she was pretty,” I say. I’m about to change the subject when my phone pings. Everyone stares down at it.
Slowly, I pick it up. It’s a text from none other than Pierce Pointer, the producer I sent my demo to only a few days ago.
Pierce: Hey, man. I listened to the demo. You got a minute to chat?
“I need to make a call,” I say to everyone and no one as I stand and walk over to the side of the bar area where it’s quiet.
I hit call on my phone and Pierce picks up right away.
“You ready for greatness?” he asks.
I frown because I don’t get what he’s saying.
“Because I am going to make you a household name, my friend. That demo was fucking amazing. Wade and I love it! And we’re both in agreement. You’re it. We both want that to be the song of the film. Hell, I don’t even think we need lyrics. Just that melody. You have no idea how relieved I am to have found the right music. Wade and I were beginning to worry we’d never find it,” he states.
My jaw falls open. I did it. I can’t fucking believe I did it. I was worried that Wade Humphreys, the music supervisor for the film, wouldn’t be as sold on my music as Pierce, but I guess I was wrong.
“Wow. I, uh, thanks,” I stammer as I try to compose myself.
“Sure thing. I’m having a little post-filming party at Dot’s Bar on Twelfth Street next Tuesday around six. I’d love for you to come by,” he says.
“Oh, I…” I trail off as I try to think about what my schedule is next week. I have four contracted performances with the city orchestra, but I can’t remember which dates.
“Not just you. If you have a girlfriend, feel free to bring her,” he says, as though he thought that was my reason for hesitating.
Fuck. “Oh, uh, sure. Yeah. I’ll do that,” I say. Before I even think, the words are out of my mouth. Double fuck.
“Wonderful, can’t wait to meet her. I’ll have Haven with me,” he says, referencing his wife.
“Great,” I say as I still try to wrap my head around the fact that I just told this guy I have a girlfriend, or I implied it.
“OK, see you then. We can talk more logistics over a beer,” he says and then hangs up, leaving me staring at my phone.
“So?” Al asks as he walks over to me.
“I got it,” I say, my focus still on the electronic device in my hand.
I don’t even notice the silence until my friends erupt with cheers. Hutch tosses Ava in the air and she squeals and giggles. “Mr. Gray is gonna be famous!” he says to her and laughs some more.
Suddenly, I’m surrounded by my friends as they hug me and clap me on the back. After a few minutes and a hundred questions, we’re interrupted by the pizza delivery guy, Tony Jr., who has our usual order of two cheese, two pepperoni, and one veggie pizza with two sides of garlic and cheese bread.
Everyone lunges for the food, but Al hangs back with me, putting a reassuring hand on my shoulder.
“What’s wrong, Gray?” he asks.
I look down at him. “I may have implied that I have a girlfriend, and he invited me and this girlfriend to a party next Tuesday.”
“Just pretend you broke up,” he suggests with a shrug of his shoulders.
I shake my head. “That’d be weird. It’d be more obvious that I lied.”
“So, just call a woman on one of those dating apps that you kids are always talking about,” Al offers.
I don’t have the heart to tell Al that I haven’t been on any dating app ever. I had girlfriends in college and high school. I was only single for a year or so before Lydia and I started dating and now it’s been almost a year since we broke up. I’ve gone out with a few women that Hutch, Kasen, or Brayden set me up with, but none of them worked out.
“I don’t want to do that,” I reply.
Al cocks his head to one side. “I think I have a young woman who would be a great fake girlfriend for you. I’ll give her a call and have her meet you at this party. Just give me the details.”
I eye him suspiciously. First, how does Al know any single, young women? Two, why not just give me her number? Three, I’m supposed to pretend to be dating someone for a while on a blind date with them? Is he for real?
“Trust me, OK?” he urges with a wink and a pat on my back.
I can’t believe I’m agreeing to this. I have got to be crazy. Or desperate. Or both.
“Yeah, alright. But, Al”—I pause as I look at him—“she has to understand it’s just a short-term fake thing.”
“Of course, of course,” he assures me with a smile and walks back over to join our friends as they dig into the pizzas.
I stand there for a few seconds as I consider the events of the last twenty minutes. Everything is going to be different now. I’ve done it. I actually made this music career work. I text the only family member that I still regularly speak with, my sister.
Me: My music got approved by the producer.
Adriana: OMG! Congrats! That’s awesome. Maybe that’ll help Mom and Dad come around.
Me: Highly doubt that.
Adriana: You never know.
Me: I won’t be holding my breath over here.
Adriana: Still, I’m proud of you.
Me: Thanks, Ad.
I put my phone in my pocket. My parents disowned me when I told them I wasn’t going to be part of their family business and would instead be pursuing music. I won’t lie. A part of me would love to rub it in their faces. But first, I need signed contracts…and a fake girlfriend.