Chapter 9
CHAPTER NINE
ASH
“Hey Dani,” Tommy says, and I hear the clunk of her heels on our tiled hallway.
“Fuck,” I say out loud. Not the girl I’d prefer to see on a Thursday morning.
Calla’s working, but we’ve hooked up as much as we can since Saturday.
I can’t wait to see her cute arse later.
For now, I’m certain Dani is here to wind me up because of the changes we’ve put in place over the last few days.
I spoke to the boys after Mum turned up on my doorstep.
She’s my top priority now; everything I do from this point will have her welfare at the forefront of my mind.
I requested a meeting with Bernie to finalise a few things, one of them being a substantial advance.
Thankfully, he agreed to it, which means I can make sure Mum is safe while I go to London.
I want to pay for her and my aunt to get a little Spanish sun while I’m in the recording studio.
When she comes back, well, I’ll figure out then what to do.
I can’t risk leaving Mum here to fend for herself against my dad.
Their trip away will give me peace of mind.
The guys were awesome and stood by me with that call. It means taking a little of the money meant for promotion and stuff, but they were cool with it. I knew they wouldn’t let me down.
Now Dani is here, with a smirk on her face I don’t trust. I wonder what the hell she has got up her sleeve this time.
“Morning Ash. Got five minutes?” she asks, storming past me through to the kitchen.
“It looks that way,” I mumble under my breath.
“You too Tommy,” she calls over her shoulder, so we follow on behind. I pull a chair from the table and flip it around to straddle it backwards. “What’s up?” I ask as Tommy leans back against the kitchen table, crossing his arms.
She turns on her heels and smiles. “Now there’s a question.” Why is she making me nervous? “I’ve been told you’ve been playing around with our original contract.”
“Circumstances change Dani. I needed a few securities,” I tell her.
“And Ash has our full backing,” Tommy adds.
“So I understand. It’s fabulous how you support each other. Compromise is a good thing.”
“Meaning what exactly?”
“Meaning I hope you’re prepared to compromise for me.”
Something told me this was all too easy. “With what?”
“Well, a band like yours will be in high demand, especially by the female population and you’ve already gained a lot of admiration, not just for your music. I don’t doubt hearts will break along the way.”
“Okay…” I say not knowing where’s she going with this, and then I give Tommy the side-eye.
He lifts his chin towards her. “Cut to it, Dani. What do you want?”
Pacing the room with one finger tapping wildly against her mouth, she reminds me of her father when he’s deep in thought.
Her other arm crosses her middle, she screws up her eyes, humming to herself before revealing, “Friendly advice. Going forward, I think it would be wise not to get too involved with anyone, on a personal level that is. It’s just this is a cut-throat industry with little room for error. This could be your one shot.”
“What the fuck does that mean?” Tommy laughs as I huff out a chuckle of my own.
“Look boys, it’s not a no girlfriend rule full stop—”
“This is a joke, right?” I question. “You’re saying no girlfriends?” But Dani isn’t laughing.
“Look, you have your needs, I get it, and who am I to get in the way of your—how can I put this politely—natural urges? But the fans need to see you as accessible. You want them to believe they’ll be the next girl on your arm.
You’ve got to sell them the dream, and if you have a significant other in tow, they’ll drop you and your music for a rock star who will give them what they want. ”
I shake my head when I look at Tommy, then back to Dani. “And what’s brought all this on Dani?” Actually, I have a pretty good idea what it is, but I want to hear it from her mouth.
“Honestly? I’ve noticed how close you’re getting to that girl—Calla? Right?”
And there we go.
“Who, I might add, conveniently turned up out of the blue just as you’re about to sign with us.”
“Excuse me? Are you implying something else here?”
She holds her hands up, “I’m just saying it’s all a little suspect.”
“Bloody unbelievable,” I mumble, looking over to Tommy.
“And you’re just as bad with her little friend,” Dani says to Tommy. “I bet those two think they’ve struck gold.”
“Jesus, Dani. You need to chill,” Tommy says.
“I’m just giving you a friendly warning. I’ve seen it all before, and at this point in your career, you’d be better off with no hangers-on.”
“That’s enough, Dani. Cal isn’t the person you think she is. You have no idea of our history.”
“Okay then, how will your precious Calla feel once you’re out of her sight. She’s not the only girl on the planet. As I said, you have your needs—”
“Stop right there.” I fist my hands at my side, determined she won’t get the better of me.
“I’m just trying to save you from heartache down the line.” She raises her brow. “It wouldn’t be forever sweets, just a few years, until you’re more established.”
“Whoa, what?” Did she just say that?
“We’re investing a lot of time and money in this band Ash, and we need to see a return.
The music business is a rat-race and not easy.
I need every member of the band fully focused on the music.
Look at this from a purely business perspective.
We have an album to make, a tour to organise, appearances to fulfil.
It all takes time to build up your profile.
Our PR team is amazing, but they’re not magicians.
We can’t do everything without your full co-operation. ”
The tips of my fingers smooth over my forehead, glancing at Tommy.
He could have the same thing on his mind, but I’m unsure where he and Angie stand.
He’s been seeing her a fair bit since they hooked up at the Black Pearl.
That alone is pretty out there for Tommy.
I’ve never seen him with the same girl twice.
“So, let me get this straight, this is a suggestion, not a condition,” Tommy asks because we have to take this crazy shit seriously. We may never have this kind of opportunity again.
“Of course, sweetie. It would be completely unreasonable of us to do such a thing, but we’re already well behind where we want to be with the band.
I’m just suggesting a way to free yourself of any ties if that’s what you decide.
It’s your call, but I can’t have any more pussyfooting around.
We’ve got a lot of work to do, without interruptions I might add, and I only have so much patience. ”
Fuck. No more Miss ‘nice’ Dani.
I glance at Tommy again, “And your dad agrees with you?”
“Not exactly, no.”
Her response makes a difference, to me at least. “Have you even talked it over with him?”
“Not yet, but to be honest, I’m doing what’s best for you as a band. Believe me.”
Dani has seen me with Calla only a few times, but it must be obvious she means something to me.
Is Calla the real reason for pulling this move?
Doesn’t she trust me to focus on the band if I have a girlfriend?
As far as I’m concerned, it’s a crock of shit.
I stand firm when I tell her, “I’m not giving Calla up, Dani. End of.”
I look to Tommy, but he’s looking down at his feet, not meeting anyone’s eyes.
“Fine,” Dani snaps. “But you better warn her, she isn’t your top priority.” She huffs, folding her arms. “And what about you, Tommy?”
“Hey, my thing with Angie isn’t serious. I’m sure she’ll be cool.”
“What sort of answer is that?” Dani sighs.
“It means my heart and soul is in this band, and I know the same goes for Ash. Right man?”
“You know it,” I tell him.
“If you’re as committed as you say, we should bring the signing forward. I can’t afford to lose any more time.” Dani grunts.
“As soon as our solicitor has looked over the contract, we’re yours, but we won’t physically sign until he’s checked the small print. I don’t want you putting this shit in our contract.”
“Don’t think about going back on your word just because there’s nothing in black and white, Ash. I need your commitment on this, and if you don’t make your mind up soon, we can drop you just as quickly as we picked you up.”
I don’t respond to her outburst. Dani has just diminished any trust I had in her. Thankfully, I still have faith in Bernie and hope to ask him some questions before we sign.
“Good, well I’ll leave it all with you.” But as she heads out of the kitchen, she demands, “Ash. A quick word.”
I glance at Tommy. We exchange a knowing look as I leave the kitchen and meet Dani at the front door.
She turns around and whispers in my ear, “Just remember, everyone is counting on you. You’re the only one we want from all this, so if you disagree, the rest of the band don’t get to follow their dreams and the security you want for your mother’s future won’t materialise.
” Pressing her palm flat to my chest, she pats it lightly over my heart.
“I’m sure you don’t want to let any of them down.
” My blood runs cold. What a bitch and there was me thinking she was pretty cool when we first met.
She peeks over my shoulder to where Tommy leans against the door frame of the kitchen. “See you later, Tom. I hope you make the right choice.” She smirks as she spins on her heels and takes a step out the door.
I try one last time to make her see sense. “Dani?” She turns back, smirk still firmly in place, raised brows and her head tilted slightly to the side. She couldn’t look any more innocent. “Do you really want us so badly; you’re willing to try any tactic to make it work for you?”
“Oh sweet, sweet Ash. This is business. We do whatever it takes,” she winks.