8. Finn
Between our studio time and everyone’s work schedule, I haven’t seen much of Raven for the last few days.
This week has been brutal with sessions, but we’ve managed to make use of our time.
We’re on track to finish this album with plenty of room for engineering to put on the final touches before release day.
Since the studio had a scheduling conflict, Ryker is using this time to fly home for the weekend.
I dropped him off at the airport earlier, and I’m on my way to meet up with Jax and the girls in the Pearl District for dinner and a show.
Nick Conners, from the band Riser, is performing solo tonight to an intimate crowd, and it’ll be a great way to casually get some publicity without having it look staged.
Knowing I’d be here for the summer, I bought myself a used mid-sized SUV.
It’s nothing to write home about, but it’s got great miles, is in great condition, and will easily haul a drum set, if necessary.
Depending on how long we stick around, it’ll be great when winter hits, too.
There may not be much snow and ice along the Oregon coast, but those rainy days everyone talks about are real, or so I’m told.
I’d feel much safer in a vehicle that can handle the vast terrains of the Pacific Northwest.
Snagging a parallel spot near the venue, I quickly park and make my way to the line forming outside The Purple Pickle Bar I took a couple of candid shots when you first arrived. I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to set the record straight. These rumors are getting ridiculous.”
The heated look in my eyes when I greeted Raven is evident. I’m clearly only into her. The shot is wide enough that Jax is on the edge, smiling wide. Clearly, I’m not stealing his girl.
“It’s time to get out of work mode,” Raven deadpans. “I, for one, just want to enjoy the music.”
“I’m totally on board with that.” Jax grins, pulling Sloane into him. “Put that phone away and turn off that brilliant brain of yours.”
Wanting to give them their privacy, I turn my attention to Raven and ask, “Wanna dance?” There are only a few other couples out on the floor, but if our time is limited, I’m making it count.
A radiant smile lights up her face. When she reaches for my hand, my entire body heats in anticipation. “I’d like nothing more.”
Within seconds, we’re on our feet, moving to the beat. I still can’t get over how responsive Raven is in my arms. I turn, she twists; I lean, she dips; I pull her close, she melts against me.
Inhaling deeply, I catch a slight scent of the ocean breeze mixed with her perfume, and it’s like an aphrodisiac I never knew existed.
It’s sexy and sweet, and I’ll be dammed, but I just can’t get enough.
The moment her fingertips scrape at the base of my neck, my body hums with an energy I’ve never experienced.
The way her head fits on the indent of my chest, I swear this girl was made for me.
Wait… what the hell am I thinking?
Shaking my head, I laugh at the audacity of that thought. We just freaking met.
“Hey,” Raven says on a laugh, regaining my attention. “What’s going on in that head of yours?”
“Just thinking about how much I’m enjoying this moment.” That isn’t a lie, but there’s no way I’m copping to those thoughts this soon.
Tilting her head to the side, her eyes narrow. “You sure that’s all it was? You went from smiling like a loon to pensive in a nanosecond.”
Note to self… she’s perceptive.
Spinning her out, I grin at how easily she follows my lead. “Nope. Just lovin’ how well you move.” I twist her in and out of a pretzel-like move, then pull her close again and tease, “It doesn’t hurt that you smell good either.”
“Well… uh… thanks. Not quite sure how to take that... But for the record, you don’t smell so bad yourself. I…”
Whatever Raven’s about to say when Nick Conners booms through the speaker is cut off. “As I live and breathe… is that Finn McGowen out on this dance floor? Ladies and gentlemen, please excuse me for a second. I think I’m hallucinating.”
Turning my attention to the stage, I grin at the jackass, ruining this moment. “Hey, man, it’s been a minute.”
To the crowd, Nick says, “We’ve got an amazing drummer here, ladies and gentlemen… scratch that… He can play almost any instrument he touches. He was a huge help when I recorded in Nashville a few years ago… Man,” he says, hopping off the stage. “It’s good to see you.”
Reaching out, he shakes my hand, then pulls me into a bro-hug, thwacking my back three times before releasing me. Looking toward Raven, he grins like the Cheshire cat.
“And who do we have here?”
Without skipping a beat, Raven reaches out her hand and says, “I’m Raven. It’s so nice to meet you.”
“Well, Raven…” Nick exhales theatrically. “In all my years of knowing Finn McGowen, I’ve never seen him look at a woman the way he looks at you. I really hope I get to chat with y’all later after the show.”
Then as if he suddenly remembers he’s in the middle of a live performance, he grins. “Well… I think I should probably get back up there and finish this set.”
Without skipping a beat, he returns to the stage and slips seamlessly into his next song.
Raven hops up and down, clapping her hands together.
“Ohmigod, I love this song. I had “Believe in Me” on repeat in high school. Not only did I just get introduced to Nick, but now he’s playing one of my favorite songs. How the hell did this become my life?”
“Uh, your sister is engaged to Jax Cartwright,” I point out on a laugh. “Aren’t you used to being around famous musicians by now?”
Raven practically snorts. “Hell no! I spent the last year busting my ass to finish college. I don’t really think of him as being anything special—other than the fact he lights up my sister’s whole world.
I’m not really impressed by fame… but…” she looks at the stage, “Nick Conners was on my wall growing up. It’s a bit surreal. ”
“I get it. I was the same way when I met Stevie Nicks.”
Raven gasps. “Oh, that must’ve been amazing.”
“It was, trust me.”
Nick starts into the bridge, and I reach for Raven, pulling her close so I can whisper in her ear, “With this being your favorite song, let’s make some memories.”