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6
Austin
“I could’ve been fired,” Shawn continues to complain.
He’s been going on about how I was gone the other day when I was watching the desk for him. By the time he got back, he had only sat down at the desk for a few minutes when I hurried past him, without much of an explanation of where I was.
“Dude, you wouldn’t have been fired.”
“Please, you know your dad.”
“He’s out of the country right now. Working with someone in London.”
Shawn shoots me a sideways glance. We’re hanging in our apartment, eating a pizza. When we started rooming together, I said I’d pay the rent if he paid the utilities. He pays less, but I don’t mind since it’s my dad’s money anyway. Taking a bite of his supreme pizza, he shakes his head at me. “Are you going to tell me what you were doing yet?”
“I told you, I was helping this new artist.”
“Yeah, helping her with what?” He smirks.
“Shut up.” I flick a piece of mushroom from the pizza at him.
I haven’t mentioned it was Jade that was in the studio. I changed her name in our log system to Kristen, so no one else will know she’s there unless she wants them to. I don’t know why I haven’t told him about it. It’s not like he’d tip off the paparazzi or anything like that. I kind of like that I’m the only one who knows. But at the same time, I’ve wanted to tell someone.
Taking another bite of my slice, I nervously swallow. “Okay, I’ll tell you, but you have to promise not to say anything.”
His brows pinch together and he shakes his head. “Austin, who am I gonna tell?”
“I know, I know, but this is kind of serious. It’s a secret.”
“You’re acting like it’s the president or something.”
I let out a nervous chuckle. “Not that high profile, but she’s up there.” I scan our two-bedroom apartment as if there is someone else in the room that could hear. “Okay, have you seen the name Kristen King on the guest log-in sheet?”
He frowns at me, then rolls his eyes. “Like I remember every name I see on that thing.”
“Okay, well, that’s a fake name.” That seems to pique his interest. “I’m serious, Shawn. You can’t tell anyone.”
“I won’t.”
Taking a deep breath, I can’t help the grin that crosses my lips. “It’s Jade Barkley.”
“Get the hell out of here.”
“I’m serious!” He eyes me, unsure whether or not he should believe it. “I swear,” I add, throwing up my hand. “I guess she’s working on some solo stuff, but it’s not for release. She wanted a place different than her usual studio.”
“You’re not kidding?” I shake my head, my grin still firmly in place. “The Queen of Kings is recording at Rich Records? That’s crazy. Is she hot? I mean, she always looked hot, but I’ve only ever seen her on TV.”
“Dude, she’s incredible. And she sang this song that was … I don’t know, mesmerizing. She’s freaking amazing. It was soft and delicate, and I could almost feel her pain in those lyrics. She’s …” The words escape me as I continue shaking my head, remembering it.
“Uh-oh.” He starts chuckling. “Is someone a little smitten?”
I lift my shoulders, letting out an unbelieving chuckle. “I can’t help it. Not only is she beautiful, but she’s an incredible musician, and those lyrics are nothing short of … of … breathtaking.”
“Damn, you do got it bad. And that’s after meeting her one time? Ask her out, then, man!”
My eyes narrow, my jaw drops, and I stare at him. Then my head falls back, and a hysterical laugh echoes through our apartment. “Right. Yeah, just ask out Jade Barkley. Me, a college freshman going out with the hottest bass player on the planet. Sure, that’s gonna happen.”
“Why not?”
