Chapter 9: Chapter 9
Even the thought of the other guitarist had Bree shifting uncomfortably in her seat. Ever since he’d showed up out of the shadows the other night when she’d needed him most, she’d caught herself thinking about him--which wasn’t a good thing. She was finally dating the only man she’d ever cared about, and now this new person was here, making her feel confused at every turn.
It was stupid and selfish of her to even let her mind wander to Zach. She knew the only reason he’d been at that club was because he wanted this job. It wasn’t as if he would’ve ever gone to hear her play under any other circumstances. The fact that he’d kept her and Trent from getting pounded meant he was a decent human being, but it didn’t mean anything else. While he was certainly a better guitarist than Kell, the other guy would do just fine. It wasn’t as if many of the songs they’d be playing were anywhere near as complicated as what Zach had demonstrated he was capable of--so it wasn’t necessary to have him in her band.
But she wanted him in her band. Even though it was stupid. Even though it was dangerous, she wanted Zach in her band.
He was up on the list next, and when he walked in, she had to look away. Her eyes flitted back to his face just as he was looking out at them, strapping on his guitar. He gave her a knowing, piercing look, one that went straight to her core, as if to say they had a bond now; they'd taken on the bad guys together and won. In an instant, he’d said more with his eyes than he’d said with his mouth the entire time she’d known he existed.
Zach didn’t play anything nearly as difficult today. Instead, he played one of Bree’s songs, one he’d heard her play the other night. But rather than sticking to the main melody as she did when she played, he includes several riffs and amped it up quite a bit. It almost sounded like a different song, and she absolutely loved what he did with it.
“Great, Zach. Thank you,” Alvin said. “We just want to clarify something. You don’t sing? Is that right?”
He dropped his head slightly and shook it, not verbalizing his response, but the message was obvious.
“All right, then. Thank you very much. We’ll be in touch.”
Watching Zach walk out the door was a relief in many ways. He did briefly catch her eye once more as he left, but Bree didn’t linger in his stare. She should let him go. She should vow not to let him in the band so he could stop messing with her heart. She was finally with Trent now, and she loved him more than anything. Why tempt fate by letting a random hot guy who happened to play guitar really well have an active part in her life? It was stupid and unnecessary.
Bree settled in to hear the rest of the callbacks, resolved that she would put Kell in her band. It was the safe thing to do, and Bree always did the safe thing.
“All right. We’ve got Cat Hadley on keyboards, Dominic Dunn on drums, and Griffin Bray on bass,” Sally was saying once call backs were over. “We just need to decide who our rhythm guitar player is and who we want on lead.”
“Rhythm is easier, I think,” Alvin noted. “Bree has mentioned it would be nice to have a rhythm guitar player who also plays fiddle, so I think Chase Simpson is a good choice.”
“I agree, Zelda said with a nod. “He’s talented enough to play lead, too, if we need him to. If something comes up.”
“That sounds good to me,” Bree said with a nod. That would only leave one position to fill.
“Well then, what about lead guitar?” Jordan asked with a sigh. “This is going to be a tough one.”
“It really is. Both Kell Spinks and Zach Scott did a great job. I do like the fact that Kell can sing backup. He’s got some great harmonizing skills,” Alvin offered.
“I agree, he is talented,” Sally said with a nod. “But… how can we pass up someone like Zach on the guitar? I mean, people with that sort of talent don’t come along twice in the same lifetime.”
“He is talented,” Alvin agreed. “It’s just too bad he doesn’t sing.”
“Maybe Bree was onto something the other day when she suggested he can be taught. Maybe we can pay for vocal lessons.” Zelda tapped her chin as she thought.
“That could take a lot of work, though,” Jordan reminded them.
“Bree, what do you think?” Alvin asked. “You really need to have the final decision here.”
“Me?” Bree echoed, her eyes widening. “Oh, I uh, don’t know. I mean, I think they’re both great. I’d be happy with either one.”
“But there has to be someone you prefer,” Jordan said with a shrug.
“No, not really. They’re both talented. I like them both.”
“Would you be comfortable with a lead guitar player who didn’t sing back up?” Zelda asked her.
“Sure.” She had to admit that she thought it would be odd, but she wasn’t completely convinced she couldn’t teach Zach to sing, at least enough to help her on the chorus with a backing harmony.
“So… Zach then?” Zelda asked her. It was obvious by her managers face that she wasn't sure what Bree wanted her to do, but then, that was because Bree didn't know what she wanted to do either.
“If that’s what you all want.”
“What do you want Bree? Do you want Kell to play guitar for you, or do you want Zach?” Jordan asked.
The way that he’d phrased the question wasn’t missed on Bree. “I want… Zach.” The words were out of her mouth, even though she’d never planned to say them.
“All right then,” Alvin said, looking at the others. “I think we have ourselves a band.”
Bree thought to herself, “And I think I have myself a huge problem in the making.”