A girl with her blonde hair tied into pigtail braids laughed. “So, what’s Chase really like? Is he really so sweet, or is it all an act?”
“He’s sweet.” And sexy. I left the second part off.
Maddox leaned back against the couch. “So, I’m definitely on board for an on-air interview. Just tell me when and where.”
“Friday at five a.m. We’re right on Harrison’s campus.”
His eyes narrowed. “Five a.m.?”
“Yeah… I’m a freshman.”
Maddox laughed. “Okay, here’s the deal. Thursday night hang out with me to keep me up until then, and I’ll be there.”
He must have noticed the look of panic that crossed her face.
“Uh not in the way you’re thinking. Just hang out. I feel old now. Let me see how college kids party these days.”
Jade visibly relaxed. “Nothing but the Rat stays open that late.”
“Harrison has a Rathskeller?” the other girl sitting there asked.
“Yeah… don’t most schools?”
“Not anymore.” She ran a hand through her purple highlighted hair. “Any interest in interviewing us too?”
“You guys want in too?” Jade seemed excited. “I’m sure my listeners would love to hear from Pearberry, but why don’t we schedule for another week so the focus is on you?”
“Really?” By the surprise on their faces, I guessed that they weren’t exactly music giants yet.
I still had no idea who eyeliner guy was. He just sat there staring at me. “Can I help you?”
“What?” He wore a blank expression.
“You just seemed to be staring at me like you wanted to say something.”
“No. I was just staring at you because I wanted to.”
I looked at Jade. Was this guy for real? “Okay…”
I turned my back on him and tried to ignore him even though I had a feeling he was now staring at my ass.
“You must be the inspiration for his Sex on the Beach song. Nice.” Eyeliner spoke to my back.
I turned around. “Does it matter?”
“No. I was just wondering how Chase managed that. I mean, he’s not a bad looking guy, but you’re really hot.”
I blinked a few times. The girls both laughed. “Jimmy, just stop while you’re ahead.”
“I’m just saying.”
“Jimmy? Is that your name?”
“Yes. I’m the newest member of Pearberry.”
“He’s playing the tambourine,” Pigtails expanded.
“Oh. Cool.” I decided not to comment. There was something cool about a girl band picking up a guy to play tambourine. Talk about gender role reversal.
“Well, then you’re welcome to come to the interview too,” Jade offered.
“Will you be there?” He focused on me again.
Before I could answer, Jade did. “Yes. We’ll be doing the interviews together.”
“Isn’t that fantastic?” I glared at Jade. Was she really going to make me see this weirdo again?
“Do you girls want to watch the show from back here or go out front?” Maddox asked. He was by far the quietest of the group.
“Oh, I think we’ll watch from out front. It’s the real experience that way.” Jade grinned. It was so much fun to see her in her element.
My phone vibrated in my back pocket. I pulled it out to see a text from Chase. Hope you’re enjoying the show tonight. Wish you were going to be at mine.
It hasn’t started. Been interesting chatting backstage. I do want to see one of your shows again.
You will in Savannah.
Can’t wait.
Me either, babe.
I put my phone away and didn’t bother to hide my goofy smile. Talking to Chase always put me in such a good mood.
Chapter Fifteen
Four thirty came way too early on Friday, but I needed at least that much time to get over to the station. Kyle had agreed to come in as well in case Jade needed some help. I knew I wasn’t going to help much because I had no clue what we were doing. From what I gathered, Jade’s show usually involved her playing music and interspersing it with some talking. Interviewing musicians and having them perform live was something new.
Jade was a bundle of nerves as she set everything up. Maddox seemed content sitting back and watching as she frantically moved about. In the end, Maddox had let us off the ‘stay up all night’ hook. Instead, he had Jade call to wake him up. I hadn’t had a chance to ask her how that went.
“Calm down. It’s going to be okay.” Kyle smiled at her. “Just be natural, ask a few questions, and then he’ll perform.”
“I feel so bad he’s here. It’s five a.m. What if no one’s even listening?”
“They are. We advertised this.” I’d spent the better part of Thursday afternoon hanging flyers around campus and at local businesses.
“But it’s five a.m.”
“Then consider it good practice.” I tried to reassure her. No matter what happened, it was going to be a fun experience. “Where do you want me to sit and watch?”
“Keep it down,” Jade hissed. “Maddox is only doing this because he thinks we work as a team—so we’re working as a team.”
“Okay. I can sit and look pretty.” I picked up a set of headphones. “Let’s do this.”
Jade started off a little shaky. I’d listened to her recorded shows before, and normally she sounded much more confident. I considered reaching over to squeeze her hand but worried the contact might throw her off.
“How’d you first get into music?” She threw him an easy question, and I hoped that would put everyone at ease.
“My parents are both really musical. They had me playing the piano by the time I was five, and I never really stopped.” He smiled. I gathered he was thinking back on happy childhood memories.
“That’s cool. I know that your first album was much more indie-rock. What brought on the change?”
“I just got bored. I wish I had a better explanation, but really I just followed my interest.”
I waited for Jade to continue, but she froze. I mean completely froze. She must have been expecting a different response from him or something. Kyle mouthed, “Do something,” because we were having serious dead air time.
I clicked the button they’d explained turned on my microphone. “Hey, Maddox, I was wondering if we could shift this conversation over to the personal side.”