Chapter 2 Keeley #3
I do have other things to do, but I wouldn’t call them better.
Even this short time with Jane is better than a night out with Bianca…
which is what would inevitably happen after a long rehearsal like the one I’m supposed to be at right now.
Maybe we’d hook up, maybe we wouldn’t—it’s been a toss-up ever since we broke up.
But even though Bianca is gorgeous, she’s the last thing on my mind.
No, my only thoughts are of the redhead hovering over a laptop like she can will it into submission.
I pack up my stick bag and tidy the drum kit, then emerge from the booth.
Still, I’m not ready to leave yet. Is Jane really going to be here all by herself?
Who is going to make sure she takes breaks, eats dinner, doesn’t fall asleep on the table?
Not me, I remind myself. It can’t be me.
“You good?” is the best I can do.
“Yeah, I’m just exhausted. I wasn’t supposed to come back to the studio for this season. Recording another song completely upended my schedule.”
“I’m sure this has been stressful,” I say. “But you’re almost done, right?”
“Yeah, thank goodness.”
I smile. “That must be a relief. Now we can focus on Glitter Bats.”
Jane glances up at me, frowning. “What are you talking about?”
I run a hand over my hair, confused. “Well, I mean, we’re finally free of Label! It’s the perfect time to make another album.”
“I don’t know, Keeley…”
“How don’t you know? We have momentum!” Okay, by the dubious look on her face, she might just need some convincing.
That’s fine. Jane’s a reasonable person—I know she’ll understand when I spell it out.
“Our fans are desperate for more, so this is the time to make music! With how well our tour went, I’m positive there are labels lining up to work with us.
We should strike while we’re hot.” We only did four stops for More to Say: LA, New York, Chicago, and Vegas.
Tickets sold out within minutes. The band was trending for weeks.
When “Daydreams Like This” started slipping on the charts, “Better Times” hit the top ten, and then “Used Up” joined when we released it as our third single.
The end of our contract with Label can’t be the end of the band—things are just getting good again.
“You have to see this is the perfect timing.”
Instead of her face clearing in understanding, the furrow between Jane’s brows deepens. “I don’t have time to make another album right now.” She avoids my gaze. Almost…cagey. Like there’s more to it.
Panic tightens my chest. “What do you mean?”
She blinks rapidly, more agitated than I’ve seen her in years.
“I mean that I was supposed to consult with Defiant Games about writing something for their sequel to Half Moon Ranch this week, and I had to push that meeting back for these recording sessions. On top of all of this, I can’t work this weekend because I have to go be on a Royal Con panel.
Then our showrunners want to talk to me about their next project in development once Dragon Realm wraps, and I’m auditioning for a film that might turn into a franchise, and…
I just can’t add anything else to my plate. ”
I stiffen, my head swimming. Those are mostly maybes and mights, but she’s certainly keeping herself busy. “So just fuck the band, is what you’re saying?”
She flushes, eyes flashing. “No! I’m saying I’m booked and I’m not sure I can work on another album. I don’t even know if that’s what I want right now.”
My mind reels. She doesn’t know if that’s what she wants?
“I can’t believe what I’m hearing.”
“I’m sorry, but I have so many other commitments to juggle,” she says, exhaling. “The band can’t take priority over all of that.”
Her words feel like a slap in the face.
I shake my head as I move toward the door, fighting the wave of disappointment coursing through me.
I thought we were all on the same page. We even talked about it in Vegas six weeks ago—how perfect it would be to make another album now that we don’t have a bullshit contract hanging over our shoulders.
And suddenly, Jane doesn’t care about that because she’s too busy? Fuck that.
“Being scheduled at 100 percent is a choice, Jane.”
Her eyes narrow. “Don’t therapize me. It’s condescending, even for you.”
Even for me? My neck heats. “Wow.”
Her face goes pale. Jane is never mean like this, and I’m honestly a little taken aback. She hurries to apologize. “Look, I’m sorry, that was out of line. I just have a lot going on!” She throws out her hands in frustration. “Give me time to take a breath.”
It’s too late. The damage is done—it’s perfectly clear how she feels. “Come on, Jane. All of those things you listed sound like potential projects, not commitments. You could choose the band. You just don’t want to.”
“That’s not true!” she says. “I need to make sure I have income coming in.” I stiffen. God, she sounds like my parents. “And besides, I have obligations, Keeley. I can’t just drop everything because the band wants to make music again. People are relying on me!”
I laugh dryly. “Oh, you mean how I dropped everything this afternoon for you?”
Her eyes widen. “I didn’t ask you to do that!”
“No, but you literally did, and I came here to save your ass because we’re bandmates and that’s what we do. And your precious schedule might be in better shape if you hadn’t let Trevor Barnett dick around in here for days and walk all over you.”
I almost feel the barb as it lands, and I want to steal the words back immediately. But instead of cowering, Jane crosses her arms and sets her jaw, a challenge in her shining eyes. “That’s not fair.”
It’s not, and I know it, but we’re in it now. “You want to know what’s not fair? Thinking your career is more important than the band.”
She reddens even more. “Stop putting words in my mouth! I’m just saying I should think about my priorities before I jump into another project.”
Another project. As if that’s all we are. My shoulders tense. “Fine. Call me when you want to prioritize your friends.”
“Keeley, please—”
But I shut the door on her words before she can finish the sentence.