Chapter 1 #2
Fighting back a smile, I introduced myself, assuring them that I was there to help them achieve their dreams.
“What’s your favorite song of ours?” The question came from Ian.
I recognized him even before Eric introduced us, due to the extensive research I’d done on the band.
I listened to their entire first album several times to get a feel for their style.
And honestly, their music wasn’t bad. There was a rock-n-roll edge to a lot of their songs, and they didn’t overdo the steel guitar and fiddle like some of their peers.
“What’s Left of Me or One More Shot. It’s a toss-up. They both resonated with me, but for different reasons.” I was met with stunned silence. They didn’t think I’d actually listened to their music, but I had. Every last track. Several times over.
Ian’s lips curved slowly until a genuine grin split his face. “Welcome to the family.”
A man in a band tee shirt approached as I spoke with the guys, trying to get to know each of them better. From the corner of my eye, I noticed him talking to Eric. I always knew where the band’s manager was at all times. I could feel him, his presence like a beacon I tried hard to ignore.
“Set’s ready,” Eric announced, putting a halt to our conversation.
“Ethan, they need you in makeup. You’re the last one whose nose needs powdered.
” That sexy smirk made its return and I looked away just in time to see Ethan’s face fall, but he nodded, his jaw set in a hard line as he stalked off to another trailer.
What was that all about?
The band dispersed, leaving Eric and me to stand awkwardly across from each other. Well, I was standing awkwardly. He stood with an easy confidence that made me even more flustered.
“Shall we?” Eric motioned for me to join him so I stepped up to his side, letting him lead me to the house.
“They’ll be shooting the indoor scenes first. It’s mostly just Ethan for this part.
Then they’ll move outside and try to get some usable footage of the band playing in that field as the sun goes down.
” He pointed to a section off to our left, freshly cut into a semi-circle where the band's instruments were waiting to be played.
Ethan emerged from the trailer followed by a stunning, petite blonde.
She looked every part the lead in any country music video with her tiny denim shorts, flowy top, and cowgirl boots.
I expected her to follow him onto the set, but she ducked under a tent where refreshments were being served to grab a bottle of water.
“The makeup artist,” Eric offered, noticing me watching the young woman. “She and Ethan have... a history.”
Intrigued, I turned back to her, the wheels starting to spin as I envisioned what their shared connection could do for this music video.
Eric offered to let me watch them film and I eagerly agreed.
We entered the house behind the director and were instructed where to stand.
We watched for an hour as Ethan moped around the house, gazing longingly at an empty bed, running his fingers through his hair as he stared out the kitchen window.
The crew spent a solid ten minutes filming him with his hands braced on the bathroom sink, staring at his own reflection in the mirror, the dim lighting creating a lonely, morose atmosphere.
“Cut!” the director ordered, clearly unsatisfied with the performance.
I was no expert, but what they were doing was not at all captivating. I didn’t believe him. His pain was superficial, at best. The video was going to flop if something didn’t change.
I hoped I wasn’t overstepping and risking my job on day one, but I was willing to go out on a limb to make this band a success.
“Could I make a suggestion?” I asked, awkwardly raising my hand. The director shot a glare at me over the rim of his glasses and I let my arm fall back to my side. Eric sucked in a startled breath beside me.
“And you are?” the director asked, obviously perturbed that someone would dare question his vision.
I straightened my spine, instilling every bit of confidence into my voice as I could. My pageant training came roaring back to life as I spoke with eloquence and authority.
“This song is all about longing, yet we don’t see who he’s longing for.
” The director gripped his chin in his hand and studied me, but I refused to wither under his scrutiny.
“Where is the woman he’s pining after? The audience needs to see her.
They at least need a few brief glimpses of her, of their time together before she left.
” The song was about love gone wrong and wishing things had turned out differently, but they were only showing the aftermath, not what had been lost.
“What you’re suggesting would set us back weeks. We’d have to hire an actress to fill that role,” he scoffed.
“I don’t think you need one.” A look of confusion washed over his face.
Before it turned to irritation, I continued, “The makeup artist. Have you seen her? She would be perfect.” A low curse left Ethan’s mouth, but the director's interest had been piqued. “She wouldn’t have to do much, at least nothing that would require much acting skill.”
He was quiet for several heartbeats, pondering my proposal. “Bring her in,” he finally said with a wave of his hand.
“What are you doing?” Eric hissed, gripping my elbow and pulling me into the empty hallway. His fingers practically seared my skin, but I ignored the electric current of attraction, allowing my irritation to slide to the forefront.
“Excuse me?”
“Do you have any idea who that is in there?”
“No,” I answered defiantly, lifting my chin.
“Sonny Devlin is one of the most sought-after directors in Nashville. You can’t just come in here and try to take over his shoot!”
“I didn’t try to take over anything. I merely made a suggestion. And it worked.” I motioned to the front door as it opened and the young woman walked in, her eyes two round pools of sapphire. She looked scared and I almost regretted bringing her into this.
“That’s not the point! You’re their publicist. This is your first day on the job. Do you even know how this industry operates?”
“I know how to do my job, Eric. Their best interest is my main concern, and this video had a first-class ticket to Suckville.” Uh, oh.
The old Gianna was rearing her ugly head.
“Nobody is going to watch him mope around an empty house and then play his guitar in a wheat field. The imagery should reflect the meaning behind the lyrics. That’s where she comes in.
” I motioned vaguely toward the kitchen where the young lady would most likely be by now.
“So excuse me for making a tiny little suggestion to your rock star director. If he can’t make changes on the fly that will make for a better music video, then he’s not as great as you make him out to be. ”
He opened his mouth to respond, a fire burning in the raging blue depths of his eyes – eyes I could see so clearly because we’d gotten closer as we argued –when a throat cleared behind me.
My head snapped up and the director’s assistant had the decency to look sheepish as she nervously tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
“They’re about to start,” she said.
While Eric and I were away, Sonny had brainstormed a new idea that included Tiffany, the makeup artist. When the cameras began to roll, it took Ethan and Tiffany several takes to get comfortable, but once they did, their chemistry exploded on the screen.
I believed every word Ethan sang against her lips.
I felt his hurt when she walked away, dropping his outstretched hand in her wake.
When he cupped her face, sliding his fingers into the back of her hair, it was obvious it wasn’t the first time.
I was starting to understand what Eric meant by the two having a history.
When we wrapped up inside, we took a break to grab something to eat. Eric slid into the seat across from me as I bit into a crunchy pickle spear.
“I owe you an apology,” he announced, framing an overflowing plate of food with his forearms on the table.
I wrinkled my nose at the sight of several different dishes mixing together.
If he noticed my reaction he didn’t let on.
“I was too harsh on you earlier and didn’t trust your ability to make such a bold suggestion, but you were right.
Your idea was exactly what was needed to make this video into a winner.
” He hung his head. “I’m sorry I doubted you. ”
“Apology accepted,” I replied graciously.
What I really wanted to do was ask if his skepticism was because I was female, or that I was at least ten years his junior, but I bit my tongue in the interest of remaining professional.
He unnerved me, somehow burrowing his way under the thick skin I’d developed over the years, but I wouldn’t let anything get in my way of excelling at my job… and hopefully keeping it for a while.
We wrapped up shooting just after dark. The band was set to return the next day, but I’d be meeting with the marketing team to iron out the details of their upcoming tour.
I was equally disappointed and relieved that I wouldn’t be seeing Eric again for a couple days.
That man was dangerous, and if I knew what was good for me, I would keep my distance.