Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 76205 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 381(@200wpm)___ 305(@250wpm)___ 254(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76205 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 381(@200wpm)___ 305(@250wpm)___ 254(@300wpm)
“Thanks so much, man. You were terrific.”
Derek wipes perspiration off his forehead and then slicks his dark-blond hair back. “Glad to do it. I love to play, but I don’t get to very often. I’m usually on hand as backup to the backup. This was a coup, since Emerald Phoenix’s normal backup couldn’t make it, but I doubted I’d get to play. Man, when I heard you guys rock this place last night, I was impressed.”
“Thanks.” I’m not sure what else I should say. The guy’s a great drummer, and he got us out of a jam, but something about him rubs me the wrong way. Maybe I’m just still pissed about his comments about Dragon and addicts in general.
“You guys are going places,” Derek says. “You and your sister have something I’m not sure I’ve ever seen or heard. Part of it is that you come from the same genes, so your voices are slightly similar in the way they mix. But it’s also your chemistry onstage. It’s more than brother-and-sister chemistry, but obviously not lovers’ chemistry either.”
“I should hope not,” I say, wondering what’s up with this guy. He seems to say things without thinking.
“Yeah, I knew that wasn’t right now that I’m thinking about it.” He strokes his chin. “But it’s unique, man. I’m not sure I’ve heard anything like it, not since… Man, I’m not that old, but I have to go back to Sonny and Cher. They still had it even after they divorced.”
There he goes again, saying something without thinking about all the meaning. “Cher is awesome,” I say, “but I hope you’re not comparing me to Sonny.”
“No, man. Not at all. I’m not talking about the two of you vocally. I’m talking about your energy onstage. You draw people to you—to the two of you. I can’t believe you haven’t been singing together this whole time.”
“Rory wanted an opera career. Then she taught for a while. She only just recently devoted herself to rock and roll.”
Derek looks toward Rory, his gaze sliding over her in that way I don’t like. “She’s amazing. Her voice is like…almost surreal. The closest I can think of to compare her to is maybe Karen Carpenter in her early days. A lower voice for a woman, but an amazing range.”
“That’s Rory’s classical training,” I say, willing myself to stay cool.
“Yeah, but… I hate to even say this because Karen Carpenter was an amazing talent, but Rory’s better. Karen Carpenter never could have rocked. Rory rocks. She’s right up there with those female rockers of the seventies and eighties. Annie Lennox, Ann Wilson, Chrissie Hynde. She’s fucking fabulous.”
“You don’t have to sell me on my sister. Vocally, she’s more talented than I am.”
“I wouldn’t say that. Because the two of you… You just mesh. Your sound is a raspy baritone, which is what makes you unique. Most rockers are in the tenor range.”
“Jett’s not.”
“No, he’s not. That’s why Emerald Phoenix climbed up the charts so fast. Jett has a unique sound for a rocker. He gives it a rich low timbre. And you do the same, except you can go a little higher than he goes.”
“Thank you for the compliment. I appreciate it.” And I do. Maybe Derek isn’t a bad guy after all. Perhaps I’m being too hard on him.
“I’m not even close to joshing you. I swear to God, I think your band is going places. And damn…” He leans in and lowers his voice. “If you choose to give your drummer the boot for this little fiasco he pulled? I’ll always be there to have your back.”
An angry crow pecks at my neck. He didn’t just insinuate that we were going to dump Dragon, did he?
Yeah, he did. Seems my original feelings about him were right on target.
But I have a smile on my face anyway. Because truth be told, this guy saved our asses tonight, and he played like a dream.
“That’s good to know, Derek. I appreciate it.” In your dreams, I add silently.
“Anytime. I look forward to playing with you guys again in Edinburgh.”
Emerald Phoenix takes the stage then, and I sit with Rory and Brock. The band rocks like hell, of course. And when the concert is over, they do not one, not two, but three encores.
Then we all head to the backstage area, where—of course—groupies galore are congregating.
I spy Maddie and head straight to her side. I’m not letting her out of my sight.
“What did you think?” I ask.
A wide grin splits Maddie’s pretty face. “You and Rory were even more amazing than you were last night. And your drummer’s good, Jess.”
“Yeah, he’s pretty amazing. I can’t believe Jett let us use him. He could’ve so easily screwed us all over. Claimed breach of contract.”
“Surely your contract has some kind of provision if one of you can’t perform. People get sick.”