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Kris smiled and winked. With that, he wound up with a few intro strums that everyone recognized and they all jumped in. It was a classic rock and roll tune. A good piece to get the blood flowing and the brain cleared.
She was a lead guitarist, but so was Kris. She deferred because he was lost in his own little world. His eyes pressed tight as he riffed. It was so hot to watch. Rainy played back-up rhythm guitar. It was still a decent hour outside on a Sunday night. The neighbors were either patient, well-paid, or the ordinance let the band play as loud as they wanted.
They did one more song, a tune that was made for Rainy. She was a wailer. She had a loud voice, with great range and versatility. She sang rock, country and blues. This tune was the blues. While she belted out the words, Kris played. Again, her chest was tight and her nerves were on fire. Being in the same room with him made her want more. How crazy was it that she’d just met this man and was certain there would be no other. Kris Brock was it for her. If he didn’t want her long-term she’d have to live forever on the memories of a few perfect days.
Feeling the heat around them, the other members of the band stepped into the yard to give them space. He laughed and kissed her quickly. “We’re on fire, baby.”
As she leaned in to stoke the heat, her mother called. “I have to take this.” She let out a groan. “It’s time to break my mother and father’s hearts.”
Kris took her hand. “They already had their life. It’s time for you to live yours.”
“You’re right,” she said, totally grounded. “Such a smart and sexy man.”
She walked away and delivered the news. It went exactly as she expected. A lot of yelling. Some tears. A hang up.
Ten
Kris
Kris put off his travel back to Malibu until he met with Rainy’s band. He sent his car service to the airport to pick them up. He didn’t want to interfere too much, but knowing how bands were and how intimate playing music could be, he wondered if there was ever a thing between Rainy and any of the other players. He spied through the window like a jealous boyfriend as the car pulled up and dropped them off.
Rainy was at work, hopefully meeting with the human resources director and telling them she was no longer interested in the job.
He did his best to leave her alone. He knew she would connect with him when she knew something. In the meantime, he planned to knock on her door to introduce himself. Kris received one grave text from Rainy on his way over.
They say that if they accept my rescission of the contract, I have to give up the house. I don’t know if they own it or what, but I have to leave within 24 hours after they accept my resignation.
Kris didn’t want to make a promise he couldn’t keep, but he knew the woman who owned the house. She was a widow and the mother of a high school friend of his—he even had her phone number. Kris would reach out to her after he said hello to Rainy’s band.
He knocked on her door feeling nervous. A man opened it like he owned the place. He was tall, with longish hair and a beard. Admittedly, some might say that this guy was handsome. If Kris were honest with himself, he wished Rainy’s bandmate wasn’t good looking. The man recognized Kris right away and extended his hand to shake.
“Hey.” After a firm shake, he said, “I’m Dale Heartnik.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Kris Brock. Say, I hate to knock and run but I gotta fix something for Rainy. It just came up. Come over when you feel like it. I’m right there.” He pointed to his house. “Just as an FYI, I have a big dog so if you hear him, don’t freak, he a big baby. Only looks vicious. Just give me a heads up before you walk into the house or the back yard.”
Kris took a few steps away from the door and turned around. He really needed to put it all on the table. “So here’s the thing,” He rocked on his boots. “Rainy is at work trying to quit. She sounded pretty bummed in the text I just got. I have to be in Malibu, like now, but I put it off to meet with you. I have a jet ready and a house there. If you guys are up for it, we can fly down, run some numbers about your tunes. I can do business, you can do business, and we can take Rainy away from the hassle. Take care of everything at once.”
He looked behind him at the other band members who were staring at him slack-jawed. “We’ll talk it over, but I’m sure we can work so
mething out,” said Dale.
“Cool,” said Kris. “I’ll make arrangements. We’ll probably leave in the morning.”
“What if she hasn’t quit?” Dale cocked his head to the side.
“Maybe we can talk her into calling in sick,” said Kris.
As he walked back to his house, Kris issued a flurry of texts. He put the dog sitter on notice for Jimmy Page and he alerted the pilot and his producer. He didn’t want to bother Rainy at work, but he sent her a note to let her know what was going on.
Your band is here. I’ve only met one—Dale. We’re going to Malibu to hang out tomorrow. You’re coming.
Kris entered the side gate and strolled through his backyard. He had some of the most fragrant rose bushes. He picked up the cutters and lopped off some long stems of various colors and brought them into the house for Rainy. He set a vase in the living room so that when she came over, the smell of flowers would greet her. He set another vase upstairs on his way to his studio.
He was by himself, except for his dog, but he brought Rainy with him in his thoughts. She was never far from his mind.
Jimmy Page was always at his feet or lying near him, but Kris neglected him. He used to stop what he was doing and give him attention, but a beautiful woman who had wrapped herself around his heart distracted him. He’d felt lust many times but this was more than a twitching of his dick. He was falling in love with a woman he barely knew and yet somehow he knew her as well as he knew himself. They were two peas from the same pod. Never had he experienced this level of desire before. He wasn’t sure if he’d been in love before, but he knew what he was feeling now couldn’t be anything but. He loved every moment he spent with her.
Rainy was awful quiet. It was near the end of her shift and yet he hadn’t gotten a response to his message. He was aware he had baited his text for a non-response and one didn’t come. Kris wasn’t sure how he was going to get anything done again as long as he ached for her.
