Chapter 41

Jack

I tried not to let the anger inside me show as we walked deeper into the studio. Sometimes, I just wanted the chance to get to know someone and explore a relationship without it being plastered all over the news. I didn't always get that luxury, however.

Sighing, I led Juno deeper, noticing she'd brought breakfast with her. I was glad she was eating, even though I didn't feel like it anymore. At least she wasn't being stubborn or crazy or anything else I didn't have the capacity for.

Thankfully, the rest of the band was there, although it looked like most of them had only just arrived, and I didn't get any extra glares from Kai this time.

Within minutes, we were at work, and I could focus on the music and guitar and forget about the paparazzi and the way they hounded everything I did. Once again, Juno was a sweetheart, providing encouragement and ideas if we needed them without getting attached to anything.

It was a relief that she seemed to have her head screwed on, but I still didn't feel entirely at ease. My heart had betrayed me in the past, falling for someone who wasn't real and had appeared to be something far better than the truth had revealed.

Shuddering, I tried to push that thought away as well. I didn't need to dwell on gold-digging ex-partners. I wanted to be in the here and now, making good music and enjoying the company.

Only Alma had come to the studio today out of the band's partners, but she kept Juno company while we laid down a few more parts of the song and tweaked a few others. We discussed a lot, and the two women bore it admirably, letting us interrupt them and then going back to their own conversations without a pause as if the two were facets of the same conversation.

I felt myself relax as the day went by, and then we all sat around to listen to what was a pretty decent raw recording. It would need some tweaks in post, and the mastering would need to polish off some rough edges, but by the time the day was over, we had a track.

"Wow," Juno said a little while later, her hand in mine again. "I can't believe it's all done on our part. It's amazing."

I looked at her, seeing the delighted light in her eyes. She looked like a kid on Christmas morning.

"It was a good session. We've laid it down quicker than we allowed for. Gives us a couple of days together. I mean…if you want to stay in New York now that it's done."

She smiled and looked up at me.

"I'd love to stay longer if you'll have me. I mean, I'm not needed anywhere and…" She trailed off, not saying something that was clearly on her mind.

I almost blurted out right then and there that I wanted her to stay permanently, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. It was too soon. Had that been what she'd also held back on? Or was there something else?

She'd only offered to stay a little longer, not for a long time. Did that mean she planned to go after we'd had some fun? Or that she wanted to see how things went?

"Come on, let's celebrate a job well done," Kai said. "Back to my place. We'll invite the usuals and have some actual fun."

"I hope you'll also get someone else in to clean up after it all," Alma replied. "The last time everyone came to our place to celebrate, we had to replace the carpets in the dining room and the studio."

"This song'll pay for it, I'm sure," Kai replied.

There were chuckles all around, and then Alma looked at me.

"Welcome to the celebrity life, where you spend money you don't have yet and hope the creative stuff you just crapped out makes enough to pay for it." She rolled her eyes as she spoke and grinned, but Juno blinked in shock, only making everyone else laugh.

"Don't mind Alma. She doesn't really think the song is crap," Kai said a moment later. "Just that I'm not careful enough with money."

"No, to be fair, this one definitely isn't crap. Juno's made sure of that." Alma slipped her arm through Juno's and started leading her away. "Come on, love, let's go get an overnight bag for you and get there early to get ready. You can even tell that agent of yours to get the paperwork ready to sign and finalize with a writer credit for you. Don't you let these boys stiff you for your fair share of the readies it makes."

Juno glanced my way, and I frowned at the advice Alma had just given her. We hadn't discussed exactly what role Juno would be credited with. Had she been expecting a full writing credit and everything that came with it?

Before I could say anything or think more about it, Kai was handing me my guitar so we could pack up the rest of our gear and leave as well.

"What did you actually say to her agent?" I asked Kai a short while later when I was sure the rest of the band wouldn't hear.

"That we wanted her to come help us write a song about one of her books and that she already knew what song and what book because you'd told her."

"Nothing about money?"

"Not directly. I told him we usually attributed the exact credits and union standard royalties after, and that if she was okay with that, to come to New York. Told him we'd cover costs if nothing else." Kai continued to clean up, and I helped, hoping Alma wasn't making Juno think she could earn tons from the song.

While songs could earn a decent amount, there had been at least six people involved in the writing, and she hadn't played a major part. In this instance, she was unlikely to even have her name down as being credited. If she did, it would only go against the lyrics.

Had she expected more?

"Come on, man, you don't need to worry about it. I'm sure her agents explained it to her, and she appears to have her head screwed on straight. If we have a problem, we'll deal with it when it happens," Kai said a moment later.

I exhaled and nodded. He had a good point. There was no big sign trouble was coming, and I didn't need to try and find some. For now, I just needed to focus on getting to know Juno and enjoying the way she submitted to me whenever I demanded.

With all the instruments gathered and taken down to the van, Mick and Gerry helping to load, the band was finally ready to leave. We all headed for one car, none of us heading back to the apartment. I'd already had my PA pick up the things I needed, and Juno would have gotten everything she wanted with Alma.

Settling into the car, Kai broke out the snacks and sodas, and I sat back and tried not to think about it all. It was an hour or so to get to Kai and Alma's place out in the suburbs, but it would be worth it to chill out somewhere big enough for all of us and a few friends.

As we drove along, I found myself thinking about all the people who would be there and how Juno would react. I was pretty sure they'd like her—everyone seemed to—but I was curious what she'd think of some of them, too.

It made me feel a little more relaxed. I could handle this.