Falling Down(32)

"That leaves lead and rhythm. Would you be content with rhythm or do you want to continually challenge yourself?"
Jesse looks at me with a knowing smirk. He knows what I'm doing and what she's going to pick.
"I, of course, want the challenge," she says with a grin, her brown eyes, so much like mine, flashing with humor and excitement. We may be cousins but to me she is my sister.
"Then you're it, woman," Jace says with a grin.
"So we're looking for rhythm guitar and drums. You need anyone for boards?" Jesse asks.
"Nope. I got that."
"No shit?"
"No shit. Why do you sound so surprised?"
He shrugs.
"What, only Sera can be a musical prodigy?"
"I never said that."
"They must have missed our P!nk performance yesterday," Sera explains.
I nod. "Must have. And now I feel like I have something to prove," I say heading to the piano. I flex my hands and fingers, cracking my knuckles. Jesse sits next to me on the bench with his microphone. God, he's so pushy. He's not going to give me space at all to deny his claim. Well, I'll just ignore it and keep going like nothing's out of the ordinary. I adjust the mic on the piano.
I start playing Your Song from Elton John and everyone joins in on their cue. Jesse sings the first verse. I join in on the chorus and take the second verse. Jesse leans forward catching my attention and sings the last line of the second verse to me. Yours are the sweetest eyes I've ever seen.
Oh boy. I smile and we finish out the song.
"Well done, Cupcake."
"Thank you, thank you," I say with a laugh.
Cage stands from his chair in front of the stage. I forgot he was there. Oops.
"You want my opinion?" he asks.
"Always." I have the utmost respect for this man who came from nothing, lived on the streets, and managed to make himself into a business mogul as well as someone everyone in the music industry respects and admires.
"Sera, take lead. Luce, just sing, do acoustic when you want, during breaks or whatever. Piano if you need to. Focus on working the crowd, engage them. Jace is perfect." Cage shakes his head and laughs. "I knew you'd be sensational but I wasn't expecting this."
His words warm me all the way to my heart. He's seen many, many bands--rock, pop, rap--you name it, he's seen it, and he thinks we're sensational. There is no greater compliment.
"So we find rhythm and drums and get you set up in a studio. You've got songs, right?" he asks.
I laugh. "Are you f*cking with me right now?"
"Yep," he laughs.
I throw a guitar pick at him which doesn't go very far.
"Yeah, we've got songs. Books upon books of songs."
He nods. "You know I own a company that produces records."
"No, had no clue at all." I tell him pointing at Jesse and the guys to name one of the many amazing bands he's got on his label.
He laughs. "I've got the company studio and a private one. You can use the private one any time you want, but in a couple weeks I want you in the company one recording your album."
"Holy f*ck," Jace says. "You're that Cage Nichols."
He nods. "I am."
"Oh yeah," Sera says walking up to him and jumping on his back. Piggy-back time. "We're going to be on sexy Cage's label." She leans forward and kisses his ear.
His arms reach back and cup her ass, holding her up.
Jesse puts his arm around me. "I'll help you. Whatever you need."
"Thank you, all of you, for this." They all nod.
I meet the whiskey-colored eyes of a man I've crushed on and admired since I was a teenager. "Please know that I don't expect it from you, but I am grateful for every single thing you do."