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“I’m going to make drinks…” I say to them both, but neither of them acknowledge me so I race into the kitchen to try and think this through. My dad is such a hard man, he’s known for being a terrible, harsh person by many people. He started off being cruel to Lola but she’s turned him around. She’s put him in his place. I wish I could do that.
She really is something else. This just proves it.
As I walk back into the hallway with the drinks in my hands, my father and Lola are gone. I can hear them in the living room, which of course he’s gone into because he thinks he can do whatever he wants, so that isn’t the weird part. The strange bit is it sounds like Lola is singing. To my father. I never thought this meeting would turn out like this.
Once I get into the living room, I lean up against the door frame and watch her for a moment. She is sitting on the couch with her eyes closed, bellowing out a familiar tune. Actually, it’s the one she was singing on the first night I saw her. When she was up on that stage with her hot pants on, her cowboy boots, her checked shirt… that’s the moment I felt intense desire inside of me that rapidly turned into something more.
“That was amazing,” Dad says once Lola finishes. “You have a very raw talent.”
“What on Earth is going on here?” I ask nervously as I bring the drinks inside. “You giving my dad a show?”
“Actually, the reason I’m interested is because I’ve just invested in a recording company.”
“You have?” I exclaim in shock. “I didn’t know you were interested in music.”
“But I do like to have an extensive portfolio. You know that. Music and recording are just my latest thing. I’m interested in Lola’s music and I think it might be something special.” My eyes widen in shock. What is going on? What’s happened to my father? Who is this man? “I want to pursue it. Would you be willing to record a demo?”
Lola gives me a shocked look, and I can tell she wants to know if this is a good idea or not. I don’t really know what she should do for the best, but I give her an encouraging nod for now. I don’t want to throw her into my father’s scary clutches, but with me there to protect her, it should be fine. I hope.
“Okay, yeah, that sounds wonderful. When would you like me to do it?”
“Do you have time
today?”
Lola’s face falls, I can see this won’t work. “I don’t know if I can leave my dad alone today. I’ve done so all night long and I’m worried about him.”
I think she expects my dad to say it’s now or never, and I suppose I do too. I don’t know how serious he is about this, but I hope he is. Lola deserves this big break. Even if it doesn’t lead her into something massive, I think she needs this opportunity. The music business is all about who you know anyway… or so I’ve heard.
“Oh of course, I completely understand. How much longer are you in the city for? I’ll set something up with you.”
“Maybe for a week longer, depending on what happens with the doctor. I don’t know if that’ll suit you.”
“Yep, that’s fine.” He hands her a business card. “Here’s my number. Can I take yours so I can call you when I’ve set something up?”
“Oh of course.” She takes his phone from him and types in her digits. It’s the weirdest sight in the world, watching the girl I think I love giving her number to my father. “Thank you.”
The small talk rolls out for a little while longer, mostly from Lola and my father because I’m shocked into silence, but eventually my dad has to go. He doesn’t even mention work again as he says goodbye, it’s almost as if my presence at the office has taken a back seat now that Lola and her singing talent has been revealed… thank goodness! I don’t want to discuss my career for the moment, not when Lola’s is so potentially exciting.
“What just happened?” she gushes as soon as the door closes behind Dad. “Have I gone insane?” Her hand clutches to her forehead in shock. “I must be mad!”
“Maybe,” I chuckle. “Since you’ve just met my hard asses father while he’s in the middle of a mood with me for not being as dedicated to his company as he would like, then you’ve managed to thaw him despite the fact that he thinks all women are gold diggers thanks to my mother. Then you sang for him and now he wants to record a demo with you. Not only have you charmed him, you’ve made him love you. Something I don’t think I’ve ever been able to do properly.”
“Well… I feel shell shocked. I think I need to sit down. That was insane. I mean, even if it comes to nothing just the knowledge that I could be good enough is awesome.”
As I follow her back into the living room, there’s a smile on my lips. I already worked out that Lola’s the one a while back, but now she has the approval of my father. Something I never thought would happen. This is incredible, it really could be the start of something amazing. I don’t know what way it’ll go, but the possibilities are endless.
Chapter 27 – Lola
Standing in a recording studio feels really weird. It’s so glamorous and sleek, it makes me feel more and more like this isn’t somewhere I belong. My clothes feel shabby, my hair messy, my make up all wrong… I’m utterly uncomfortable in my own skin.
But with Brandon standing on the other side of that glass, supporting me wholeheartedly, I find the courage not to run away. The urge is still there but it isn’t quite as powerful.
“Right, Lola,” the guy behind the mic, sitting next to Brandon’s dad, says. “Whenever you’re ready we’re recording.” I nod to let him know I’m game. I think. “Right, let’s go.”
I have a guitar in my hands. It isn’t mine, that’s back at home waiting for me to return. I didn’t see any need to bring it with me to the city because I certainly didn’t think anything like this was going to happen! But it’s fine, it’s the same model so I can make this work.
I can feel Brandon’s eyes upon me as I start strumming and I can’t help but wonder what he’s going to think of my new material. These are songs that I’ve written over the last year that are all pretty much fuelled by him and the heart ache he gave me. They’re perfect for today, even if they might cut him deep, because I can still bring those raw emotions to the surface if I need to. My music needs those emotions to make any sort of impact… and if I’ve ever needed to make someone sit up and see me, it’s today.
