Zenith's Promise (The Zenith Series Book 7) Read online

  “So what is going on with you?” Aunt Rebecca asked.

  “New drummer. Lost him to jamming with Rob and Spencer.”

  “Ah. I think I heard about him.”

  “He’s a complete asshole, though. See how long they can stand his attitude.”

  “One of those, huh?”

  They chatted for an hour before Jody went back to the recording studio. Much to her surprise, they were still playing. Empty water bottles lined the edges of the room as they rehydrated themselves after sweating during the hot fest of creating and playing.

  Eventually, they wore themselves out. There were smiles and handshakes as they came out to the main room. Dropping onto the couches, Rob got up and went to the minibar and fridge hidden in the corner of the main room. No alcohol there, however. Being a long time recovered alcoholic, Rob didn’t even provide it for other musicians. “Hungry? I got some premade sub sandwiches in here.”

  “Thanks, sure.”

  They all chowed down on the paper-wrapped deli sandwiches and more bottles of water. Chips were passed around. They discussed more songs and named the bands they preferred. Ross asked some questions about their tours.

  Only then did Jody notice the familiar glance Rob and Spencer again exchanged. No words. Just nods. Then Rob cleared his throat. “So… you know Jaxon Mertz, our usual drummer.”

  “Yeah, he’s really good.”

  But not great. Was Ross trying to insult the other drummer? She wondered if he thought he was better than Jaxon. She asked herself the same thing to be honest.

  “He is. The thing is he’s uh, well, he recently found out his wife has got stage three colon cancer. Right now, he’s taking some time off so he can be with her and help her to beat the shit out of it.”

  Jody gasped. She was shocked. Rob looked at her. “Yeah, no one knows about it yet. He wants it kept quiet so we’re just saying he’s on hiatus and will be back soon.” Rob couldn’t conceal the passion in his tone.

  “I’ll send him a message. But let him know how sorry I am to hear that and if they need anything…” Jody replied.

  “Pray. Pray as hard as you can for her.” Rob’s lips were pressed together in a straight line. She tilted her head, having never heard Rob talk like that. Or ask for her prayers to help another. He didn’t miss her skeptical expression. With a smile, he added, “My daughter, the preacher, has really taught me some things I never knew that turned out to inspire me.”

  Jody smiled with true love for Rob. Kayla, Kathy and Karlee were Rebecca’s biological daughters and Rob’s stepdaughters, as well as Jody’s cousins. Kathy studied six years to become a preacher. She was well into her twenties before she announced that was her calling. Now she served at a local church with Kayla’s husband, who was also a pastor. Given its connection to Zenith and Rob being a member of the church, it had a huge following that only kept growing. Kathy groaned about it sometimes at family gatherings, calling it the “Rob effect.” She and her sisters often said that while rolling their eyes.

  Jody was glad her life wasn’t so affected by Zenith’s fame. The popularity of her dad resided in a much smaller, narrower group. The Lassiters weren’t known in general. Her last name was never a topic of gossip or idle conversation. She was pretty much under the radar, when she chose to be, and so unlike the Randall sisters.

  Fame had it perks but also its definite annoyances.

  And of course, it also had dangers, like the kid who aimed two shots at Rob during a church service when Kathy was playing music there eight years ago.

  Rob cleared his throat. “So, we were hoping after hearing your demo that you’d be the real deal.”

  Jody jerked back into the moment. Oh, shit. They wanted Ross to be the drummer for Zenith? Wow, that never happened before. They once used a cellist to record three songs with them because she added so much depth to them. Another woman sang the vocals to several of their songs to create a uniquely gospel effect that contrasted with Rob’s harsher sound and words. That turned out amazing too.

  But playing for the band? Was Rob literally using his own program now to recruit new members for the band? That was definitely new.

  “Well, I am,” Ross stated tersely. There was no flash in Ross’s eyes of passion or anything. No interest. No hope. No curiosity. No longing. Did he realize what Rob was about to say? She wasn’t sure. Or else he genuinely had no interest in life.

  “You are. For that reason, Spence and I would like to offer you a temporary position with Zenith as our drummer. Only until Jaxon feels comfortable enough to leave his wife to come back. So, I’m sorry that it’s not forever. Just for awhile. We don’t have an exact timeline, but I would say at least half a year. However, we don’t expect you to give up anything that might offer you something more permanent. Are you interested?”

  Ross swallowed and his gaze landed on Rob, then on Spencer, then back to Rob. “You’re not fucking with me?”

  Jody wondered why Ross so quickly assumed they must be kidding? He heard their reaction to him. “No. Not at all.”

  “Then, yeah, I would.”

  “Yes. You will join us then? I mean, do you have any questions? I want to make sure this is something you really want. Since you’re taking over for another member, you can expect the fans to stigmatize you and judge you in comparison. We don’t tour anymore. We won’t be doing any of that. There might be a few performances but no grandstanding world tours. So if that’s something you need or want to do, it won’t happen with us.”

  “I usually play in my garage. Playing anywhere else is grandstanding to me.”

  They shared a smile. “Yeah, we get that.”

  “Wait. Wait. Wait.” Jody suddenly stood up and interrupted their conversation loudly. “You guys never told me this was your intent.”

  All eyes lifted to her. “Well, no. What if he sucked? Or couldn’t keep up with us? Or had no stamina? What if his energy just didn’t vibe? There was more than one factor we had to audition before we could know. Ross captured our interest, but there was no guarantee. Now we know our answer. Why are you so offended by that?”

  “How much? How much do you intend to offer him?”

  Ross glared at her and interjected, “I don’t care how much.”

  She held up a hand. “Just… shut up, okay? This is my job. How much, Rob?”

  Rob smiled and nodded. “Right. Okay…” He named an amount.

  “Ten percent more. He’s worth every penny of it. So…”

  “He’s also new and temporary.”

  “But you need him,” she retorted. Ross started to speak and Jody gave him a dark look. Rob tapped his fingers on his thigh and finally nodded. “Fine. Okay. Is it a deal?”

  She nodded. “If he agrees to it, it is.” Her sweet smile eased her brisk words.

  “He agrees,” Ross stated, glowering at her.

  “Well, that’s good. Let’s draw up a contract for it. Have Les send it to me.” Les was Rob’s business manager who handled legal things like contracts, salaries and payrolls.

  Another hour was spent solidifying the details and doing practice arrangements. Jody eventually left them to their playing after realizing Ross was slightly less offensive with them, which she attributed mostly to the fact they had something he wanted.

  Finally, Jody and Ross flopped into her car, as it was now late evening. The long day made her tired but wow! She placed her client in the ultimate challenge. Zenith. Her only claim for credit was hearing his audition and immediately passing it up the chain to Rob and Spencer.

  “Traffic should be light now. It’s late enough,” Jody muttered after moments of silence.

  What did she expect? A thank you? A hell yeah? What about… that was awesome? Something? Anything? As an unknown and untried musician, Ross landed this dream position and chance. Sure, he earned his place in their program, but despite its name and privilege, it couldn’t promise results such as this. The guy has no thoughts about it?

  “So, you’re done with
me?”

  Startled, she glanced at him after a full fifteen minutes passed since she’d casually commented on the traffic. Did she detect some sensitivity in his voice? She clicked her tongue against her teeth. Interesting to note. He minded about something?

  “No. Since this is temporary. When this opportunity ends, we’ll find you another position. But having Zenith on your resume is beyond the moon. Builds a good, hardworking reputation as long as you don’t get lost in drugs, alcohol, groupies or any other addictions. Do that and you might well be on your way to having an incredible career as a famous drummer.”

  “I don’t do drugs.” It was instantaneous. He snapped his reply at her. His jaw was locked and his gaze faced forward.

  “Well, good. Then it’s just the other three you have to watch out for and avoid.”

  “Why not groupies?”

  “I guess they’re not forbidden. Enjoy the groupies if you can find them. I guess it’s from habit. In my family, the rock stars are married with kids and faithful to their families. But you’re young, and presumably single, so go for broke, I guess. Just don’t get addicted to a lifestyle you can’t sustain.”

  “You really didn’t know anything about this?”

  “What? That they were using the program to audition a drummer for Zenith? No. I also didn’t know Jaxon’s wife has cancer and was taking some time off. None of that was ever discussed. But I can go weeks without having direct contact with Rob or Spencer. Sometimes we arrange to introduce them to program participants, but we usually just text back and forth about it. I’m not involved with making the actual appointment. Now, let’s give some thought as to where you’d like to stay. I have lots of contacts in several different areas you could stay in.”

  “Anywhere except downtown.”

  “Really? That’s the best part of Seattle, I think. But duly noted.”

  “I don’t know. The city is weird. People are weird. Don’t know enough about it.”

  “Where are you from? I mean, what is your hometown like?”

  “Small. More like that town near Rob’s house. It’s… I don’t know if I like the downtown scene.”

  “Oh, you’re missing out on so much. It’s really fun. Exciting. The people you get to meet come from all over. One night, you might run into a student from Brussels or an historian from Washington DC, and a few days later, someone like you, who’s new to the city with entirely different experiences to share. Yet, they are all here, sharing this space, and playing a part in my life.”

  “You like it then?”

  “I adore it.”

  “Show me. Show me something good about it. Where people aren’t walking over other people who look like they’re dead in the middle of the sidewalk. Drug overdose? High? Mentally ill? Not sure. Where tents of people aren’t parked in mud holes that are also surrounded by their own garbage and human filth. Where I don’t have to turn my nose up in disgust. Where there is something fun to see or do.”

  “Oh, God. You really don’t like any of it?”

  “No. I really don’t. Maybe your perspective is very different. I can’t live in a high-rise overlooking the water.”

  “I totally get that. But there is a lot of humanity sandwiched between the unhoused, the drug addicts and the mentally ill. A whole gamut of average people living and working and adding to the culture to give it a unique feel that Seattle reflects. I can show you all kinds of great places here. And no, not any places that would embrace me because of my family’s wealth.”

  “You must know a lot of people?”

  “Yes. Tons.”

  “People person, huh? I’m just the opposite. I can’t really stand people.”

  She bit her lip and replied sarcastically, “No, I’d never have guessed that.”

  He had to smile at her reply. “Show me some I could stand to meet then.”

  “Wait… you mean like purposely? And do what? Wanna celebrate? How about that? We go out and freaking celebrate?”

  “Isn’t that against the rules?”

  “Oh, no. I’m not like a boss or something. So there’s no rule against fraternizing with the clients. I have a huge pool of friends in the city through our connections to their music. Those who stay here are part of my circle of friends. But don’t delude yourself, Ross, that won’t ever be you.”

  “Ouch.”

  She tossed a look at him as she navigated the streets off the freeway towards Capitol Hill. “You know exactly why. You deliberately try to be off-putting. You put all of your energy into being an asshole. Not really my thing to seek out, not on purpose anyway.”

  “But yet… you do,” he pointed out.

  “I’ll celebrate tonight because you just got a once-in-a-lifetime chance, even though it went to a sour, jaded jerk like yourself. Even though you fail to recognize how amazing today was. I’ll be happy for you even if you’re too freaking stubborn to be happy for yourself.”

  She parked at the first spot that allowed her entrance without a fee. After parallel parking her car, they got out and she locked it and said, “Okay, first we need food. I’m starving.”

  She entered her favorite Thai cuisine. Greeted by the host with a grin and several minutes of catching up, they sat beside the restaurant window, staring out at the neighborhood. Ross glanced over the menu and shrugged. “I don’t really ever eat this kind of food.”

  “I’ll order for you. Any diet issues?”

  “No.” He rolled his eyes to the question.

  She ordered their dinner. The water came and Jody let the silence persist as she sipped on her water glass. She had no desire to make conversation. She didn’t care anymore. He could just have a new experience without her commentary. She didn’t really want to connect with him now. He was too hard to deal with for any length of time.

  He apparently liked the dinner she ordered as he ate all of it and some of hers, again without comment, so she let that speak for itself. Dude didn’t give idle compliments. Paying the bill, she slipped out the door and he did too, luckily without commenting on the money she spent for dinner. She didn’t need to explain herself, did she? He was broke and brand new here. She wasn’t. She was glad he wasn’t a jerky alpha male who didn’t believe a woman should pay.

  Entering the street, she said, “Let’s go this way.”

  They wandered down the night-cloaked street and only the streetlights made it passable. Dark shadows appeared in pockets and the street was alive with neon signs, retro street lamps, and store lights. Clusters of people trickled in and out of a few spots. In front of some bars or popular restaurants, an actual crowd was gathered. It was a big city, but there was plenty of space. That’s what Jody always enjoyed about it.

  Finally, she turned to go into her favorite bar. She liked drinking without enduring a total pickup scene. Not as upscale as some, but no quiet neighborhood watering hole either.

  She sat down. “You drink?”

  “Of course. I’m a bartender.”

  “Oh, right. I wouldn’t know that as you didn’t answer that part on the questionnaire I sent you like everyone else does.” Another chastising. He didn’t flinch. “You can’t make much in tips.”

  “Why would you say that?”

  “Your attitude for one thing. I can’t imagine tipping you for services rendered.”

  “I can. It’s because I know how to eye-fuck women with the best of them. So…”

  She rolled her eyes as something very annoying trembled in her nether regions. Yes, she didn’t doubt that. He had intriguing, light eyes. The uncaring stare that came out of them could trap any woman who tried to illuminate them with interest and care. Yes, Jody imagined it was mostly his I don’t give a fuck attitude, that prompted the women to tip him. That and he was handsome. Movie star perfection but an underlying gritty look that grounded him.

  Mostly, she was impressed by his low voice when it rolled over the word fuck.

  She probably needed to get laid soon. It had been awhile. Longer than usual. She
had to fix that. Now. Soon.

  But not tonight. She zoned back before ordering a dirty martini for herself, and Ross went with an Irish whiskey.

  “So you’re a bartender? But not an alcoholic?”

  “No. Not yet.”

  She made a fake O with her mouth. “Wow, was that your attempt at being dry? Humor?”

  “I’m not without my surprises.”

  “You make it very hard for me to like you. Is that just me or are you like that in general?”

  He lifted the small glass of Irish whiskey. Taking a sip, he set it back on the bar, deliberately slow and measured. And damn, was he good at it. His slow, seductive manner caused her eyes to be riveted on his simple movements. Damn him.

  “Maybe I’m just shy.”

  “You’re insecure. Not shy.”

  His face jerked up to hers and his eyebrows scrunched. He didn’t like her reply. Why? She believed it was because she zeroed in on the little drummerboy’s secret: fear of others. He was afraid he wouldn’t be liked or accepted so he worked that much harder to push away anyone who might have influence. “Deny it. You’re not too hard to read.”

  “Why should I be insecure?”

  “Because it’s how you feel inside. Insecurity is rarely based on how one looks. The most beautiful people in the world often complain they never feel worthy or good about themselves. It’s a tale as old as time.”

  “Are you implying I’m beautiful?”

  She nodded. “Oh, God, yes. Not implying. I’m stating it out loud. You know it already. You know that’s why you get away with your shitty treatment toward women. I’ll bet you have a string of broken hearts you left back home. Because you don’t care. More women will come. Despite their knowledge of how you really are, huh?”

  “You don’t beat around the bush about anything, do you?”

  “No. Why should I?” She noticed he never addressed the actual topic. But she still believed he was insecure. No matter how talented Ross was, it couldn’t fully compensate for whatever made him so apathetic. If that wasn’t an act, then he was too low and horrible a person to bother with. But if his apathy was actually a cover-up, then his insecurities must have run pretty deep. Maybe Jody could delve into solving that mystery. But she had to be clear, it was not to help or save him. Just because it might be an interesting path to take.