Page 69 of Conquest

CHAPTER TWENTY

Jesse hurried toward the studio doors. After the long hours in what seemed an endless week in the studio, all he wanted was to get home, tear off his clothes, and jump in the pool with Evan. He looked up. Almost to the doors, almost to escape, just a few more feet.

“Jess! Hold up!”

Jesse faced around to see Trish jogging down the hall. “Did I forget something?”

She stopped in front of him. “No. Well, Greg was looking for you, but that’s not why I was chasing you down. I didn’t get a chance to ask because you took off so fast, but do you feel like going out? Just me and you. We could hit a few clubs and listen to some bands.”

“I’d like to, but I’m going to have to take a rain check. I really want to get home to Ev.”

Trish let out an indignant snort. “You talk like you haven’t seen him in days. He came down to have lunch with you today. He comes down every day to have lunch with you. And you live together for Christ’s sake. Don’t you need some time to yourself?”

“No. I like spending time with him. And he doesn’t come down every day. He stays home when the housecleaners, the pool people, and the gardeners come.”

Trish lifted one eyebrow in a critical expression. “Don’t you think it’s a little obsessive to hang on someone like that all the time?”

“I never said our relationship was normal,” Jesse laughed. “We both have obsessive personalities when it comes to the other and we both know how mental it is, but it works for us.” He caught her hand and swung it back and forth between them. “We’ll all go out another night. Or you know what? I’ll talk to Ev, and maybe we’ll host a big cook-out this weekend and have everyone over.”

“Hmm,” Trish grumbled. She sighed loudly and lowered her gaze. “That’s fine. Don’t worry about it. It’s just, I moved all the way from New York with Phoenix a couple months ago and I’m still trying to get to know this town. When Greg told me he had a band for me, I was so happy because it’s been hard meeting people. How was I supposed to know that my sweet and sexy singer wouldn’t want to make the time to do any bandly bonding?”

“That’s not fair! Don’t go pulling a guilt trip on me.”

Trish shrugged. “It’s not like I’m meaning to.”

“Yes you are. Girls always pull out the guilt trip when they want something. It’s one of their favorite tricks against guys.”

Trish put her hands on her hips. “And what would you know about the tricks girls play?”

Jesse looked at her as though he pitied her slow-wittedness. “I have dated a few girls in my day, you know.”

Trish’s eyes widened, her hands slid off her hips to leave her arms hanging limp at her sides. “So, you’re actually bi?”

“No. That was way back when I was trying to figure out the whole sexuality thing.” He laid his hand on her upper arm. “I really gotta get going. But I’ll call you tomorrow morning and let you know if we’re all getting together, okay?”

Trish nodded slowly. “Yeah.”

“Later.” Jesse spun toward escape. He would make it this time. Just a few more steps. The handle was in reach. He stretched his right hand toward it.

“Jesse! Great, I caught you!”

“Son of a…” Jesse growled under his breath and turned to Greg. “Did you need something?”

“I need to talk to you.” Greg put his arm around Jesse’s shoulders and steered him back toward the depths of the studio.

Jesse cast a wistful glance over his shoulder at the doors, watching them grow smaller as he walked away. He looked forward and saw Kenny, Julian, and Trish coming down the hall.

“Isn’t Evan waiting for you?” Trish mocked.

Jesse shot her an unappreciative glare.

Greg guided him into the chill-out room. “Sorry for keeping you. Do you and Evan have plans?”

“Yeah.” Jesse plopped on the couch and looked up at Greg expectantly.

“I’ll try to make this quick then. I wanted to tell you that you’ve been going beyond my expectations these past couple weeks, and I’ll admit my expectations were rather high. You’ve taken full command of working in the studio as if you were a seasoned pro. Most young musicians need time to get used to studio work, but you’ve already mastered the equipment and your work ethic borders on workaholic. And your skill with communicating the music to your members and Jeremy has been incredible. You truly were meant for this, Jess. I really believe that after working with you.”

“Thanks. It means a lot that you think so,” Jesse said, and started to rise.