Chapter 22

22

JAXON

Today, we have our first shoot for our music video. It’s been our experience that we normally let the directors do their thing. They don’t tell us how to write our music and we don’t tell them how to do their job. The way I see it, in the end, it’s their name and reputation on the line. Same with a movie set. Either they’re a household name, or no one remembers them. I’m just grateful they don’t make us do all that dancing shit like the boy bands back in the day. We want an enthusiastic crowd, and to let our music speak for itself. With the occasional explosion and pyrotechnics when allowed. All the shit that goes along with heavy metal.

I must admit after having dessert for breakfast, I’m deliriously exhausted. No worries since the first day is usually all about placement, the song, and staging everyone. The real shooting normally happens a few days later. Aria told me she’d call me later but nothing about stopping by. Hope she does, otherwise I’ll be eating lasagna for weeks on end. Maybe I’ll bring some to Mom and Jim. One less meal they have to cook.

Since I’ve been up since the butt crack of dawn, I was the first to arrive. Now I’m just in my car, waiting on the guys to get here so we can all walk on set together. Maybe I should play a game while I’m waiting. Trying to guess who will show up next. Might be Ace since he lives the closest. And given that Zander and Micah have little ones, they need more time to get going in the morning. Knowing I’m the only one playing this game, it’s kind of moot. Then again, I could reward myself if I get all three of them right. What do you think? To play or not to play, that is the burning question. I’m bored and exhausted, but why the hell not.

I give myself a little fist pump when Ace pulls in next to me. So far so good. With a wave, I pick Micah to show up next. Then I slide out of the car, closing the door behind me. Leaning on my car, with a good view of the road, I ask, “Want to make a bet on who shows up next?”

Ace chuckles because he knows I’m a weirdo. Hey, I just like to pass the time, and it doesn’t hurt anyone. It’s all fun.

“Okay, what’s the bet?” Folding his arms, he leans on the car next to me. Both of us facing the road.

“Loser needs to pierce their eyebrow.” I can’t stop laughing when I see the shock on his face.

“Hell, Zander has his pierced, so why the fuck not? I’m game. Zander will be coming around that corner any second.” Cool. I have Micah and he’ll be next for sure. When I hold out my hand, we shake. And wait.

Several cars pass by but when I see a black Mercedes turning the corner, I know I’m fucked. “You’re going to look so pretty with your eyebrow pierced, Jax. Hope the fiancée doesn’t buy a chain to pull you around. Just be grateful the bet wasn’t for a nose hoop instead. That would have been priceless.” Ha-ha. I’m so glad the joke’s on me.

“What’s so funny, Ace?” Zander asks as he hops out of the SUV.

“Your bestie made me a bet on who would show up next. He lost, so now he’s getting his eyebrow pierced.” Some best friend he is, he’s bent over laughing his ass off.

“Laugh it up, but the joke’s on you. I was getting it done anyway.” Not really, but for a minute there, I was back in elementary school. “Don’t be jealous. I’m going to be a sexy fucker.” More guffaws. Screw them both.

“You sure got the last part right,” Zander slaps his knee before wiping his eyes. I blame myself. I’m an easy target. Had Ace lost, Zander wouldn’t be messing with him.

As soon as I notice Micah turning in the parking lot, I head inside. Screw them both. I’ll get it pierced because a bet’s a bet, but it doesn’t mean I need to leave it in. Okay, now I just sounded like I was ten years old. I’m shutting up now.

“Hey, Jax, where are the rest of the guys?” Jeff, our video director, asks.

“They’re crying like a bunch of bitches. After they wipe their tears, they’ll be in.” I fill him in because, hey, I can take a joke, and he chuckles. Discreetly. Not like the asshole friends I have.

No one says a word when they walk inside, although Micah slaps me on the back on the way by. Only fair since I was betting on him. Maybe he should get his eyebrow pierced, too.

“Now that you’re all here, gentlemen,” Jeff says. “Let me fill you in on what I had in mind for this video. My first thought was to use footage of uprisings, riots, and rebellions, but I decided to be less controversial. I wanted to have some fun since Riot of the Rebels is a spin-off of the band name, Rebel Riot. I’ll be using footage from your earlier days and following your career into the present. You’ll be playing the song in front of a green screen while the flashbacks happen behind you.”

“That’s fucking brilliant, Jeff. It depicts the name of the song as well as the album.” Sorry, I shouldn’t swear but it’s an excellent idea.

Ace looks uncomfortable and it’s to be expected. He suffers from PTSD and I’m sure the thought of riots and rebellion didn’t sit well with him. Might be the reason Jeff had a change of heart.

“Let’s get started. I want all of you to act like you’re playing live to a sold-out crowd. You guys actually have it easy today. Mike will be panning the camera from all angles, so don’t pay him any mind. I’m not worried about the flashbacks; they can be easily edited to sync with the music. Are we ready?”

“Let’s do this,” we practically say in unison. I’m pumped and can’t wait to see the finished product. It’s going to fucking rock.

I’d like to tell you we did it all in one take, but it didn’t happen. So much for setting up today and shooting the next. Several takes and ten hours later, Jeff was happy with the outcome. So are we. Fucking thrilled to be exact. It’s phenomenal but still needs edits. Normally this is when we’d go grab a few beers, but not tonight. We’re all exhausted.

As soon as I get home, I flop on the couch, kick off my shoes, and just relax. I know I should shower before getting comfortable, but my whole body is screaming from playing the drums for almost nine hours straight. So yeah. I’m gonna rest for a little bit. Sue me.

ARIA

I had no intention of going to Jax’s house tonight, but I called and when he didn’t answer, I left him a message. Almost two hours later, he never called back. We’ve been spending so much time together that it just feels weird eating alone.

I’m also disappointed that Silas didn’t ask me to come back to the office after our meeting today. Makes me wonder if he ever will. The good news is, Maggie is gone. He didn’t give me any details, but I read between the lines. Rex is still there but he hinted not for much longer. Maybe I need to be patient. Once he’s gone, I can go back. Sure hope so, because working from home is getting lonely. In the beginning it was wonderful, but I miss the hustle and bustle of the magazine.

Tonight might be a good night to just catch up on some much-needed sleep. Falling asleep on the couch was uncomfortable, but having dessert for breakfast was mouthwatering. This girl could get used to having dessert every morning. Until then, I need to focus on the wedding and organize all of my notes. I’m hoping after the shock wears off, our families will realize it’s what we both want and they’ll be happy for us.

When he doesn’t call back by nine, I decide to put on my PJs and go to bed. I’m so damn tired; I know the minute my head hits the pillow I’ll be out like a light. I might even sleep in since I’m all caught up on my articles. Tomorrow might be a good day to go to my mom’s. Then maybe I can convince her to talk to Jax’s mom. For reinforcements and all.

After changing, I slip under the covers, and it feels like heaven. There’s nothing like a comfy bed at the end of a long day. It’s like a warm hug. The only one missing is Jax.

I startle awake when my phone buzzes beside me. It feels like I’ve slept for hours, but after checking the time it’s only been forty minutes. I swipe and when I hear that sultry voice, my toes curl.

“Sorry, baby. It was a long day, and I fell asleep on the sofa when I got home. How was your meeting?”

“I totally get it, we didn’t get much restful sleep last night. I went to bed at nine tonight.”

“Oh no. I woke you up. We can talk tomorrow.”

“It’s okay. I can sleep in. The meeting went well. Silas let Maggie go on a technicality and Rex looks like he’s on borrowed time, too. I’m hoping it’s soon so I can go back to work. How did the video go?”

“Oh, baby. I can’t wait for you to watch it. Seeing is believing as the old saying goes. It’s epic! Jeff’s the best video producer that we’ve ever worked with, and believe me, we’ve worked with some of the best. Going in, we thought it would take us all week to shoot but we did it in a day. Jeff’s going to run through the edits and let us know if he needs to make any adjustments. If not, then Caleb will schedule the premier, and it will go live. We’re so psyched.”

For the next few hours, we catch up on our days. He warms up lasagna since he’s starving, and I grab a glass of wine. I’m all toasty warm in my bed sipping my fruity goodness while talking to the man I love. When I mention going to Mom’s to talk about the wedding, he talks me out of it.

“Promise you’ll wait for me. I want to be there when we tell them. She’s been through enough. I want her to know that I appreciate all her hard work, but it’s not what we want.”

“I promise. Maybe we should iron out some of the big issues first before talking to them. Get all our ducks in a row. I’d hate to go through all this if it doesn’t work out.”

“Agree. We might be running with an idea that just won’t work out. I’ll make a few calls tomorrow and see what I can do on my end. Then we’ll take it from there.” I try stifling a yawn, but I don’t succeed. “I slept like the dead and I’m being selfish. Go to bed, baby. I’ll stop by tomorrow after work. I know I’m madly and deeply in love with you since the hardest thing is saying goodbye.”

“Well, I can’t top that, but I love you, Jax Carter. More than words can say.” On that note, we hang up and I curl up in bed. Wide awake. I could have another wine. That might do it, but I don’t want to move. So, grabbing my spare pillow, I turn on my side and snuggle. His scent is no longer there but I find solace in the fact that he’ll be here tomorrow.

Now if I could only shut off my brain and fall back to sleep. After an hour of tossing and turning, I fling back the covers and go sit in the living room.

Grabbing my notepad, I start jotting down a bunch of notes and ideas for the wedding. For some, it will be disappointing. This I know. For us, it’s going to be perfect. I did mention it to Silas today, in passing. He agreed it would be great PR, but we left it at that. I’m sure he thought I was joking, but I’m dead serious. Once I have all the kinks worked out, I’ll run it by him again. He might need to run it by the board and that’s understandable. But they’d be fools to pass up a chance to cover a wedding of any kind. Especially one involving a big rockstar like Jax and a sweetheart who works for their magazine. Maybe Silas will let me write the article since it’s perfect for a Love and Relationship column. Don’t you think? I’ll choose an eye-catching headline.

Time passes by rather quickly and the next time I check the clock it’s almost two in the morning. Just because I’m all caught up on work and not punching a clock doesn’t mean I don’t need my beauty sleep. Setting down my notepad, I walk into my bedroom and jump back into bed. This time, I have visions of Jax and me getting married while our families cheer us on.