“Well, we were all at the Guildhall School of Music in London together. At one point or another I guess we kept finding each other in detention and decided we might as well do something with our time together. We formed No Strings Attached, now Rock Chamber Boys,” he gives me a quick wink before continuing, “… when we were about seventeen. There’ve been some member changes, at one point there were seven of us. But us four, we’ve always been the core and I guess that’s partly why we wanted the name change, to really cement who are now as people and musicians.”
“Marius. I think that’s the longest you’ve ever spoken without saying a swear word.” I tease him.
“Well, fuck me, if you ain’t bloody right!!” He exclaims and we both get the giggles.
The laughs die down and we drive in silence for a while, watching the rain engulf the car.
I take advantage of him being quiet for a change and say what I’ve wanted to say for a while. “Hey, thanks for being so nice to me. You guys have… you’ve just made this very easy for me.”
“Don’t mention it. We’re pretty simple, mate. Don’t fuck with us and we won’t fuck with you.”
I just smile. I’ve been around them enough to know that they’re all about mate ship and loyalty. There’s nothing I could say that will mean as much as what I do.
We drive for a moment longer before he speaks up again, “I know about the $50, 000.”
“Ah. I was wondering if he was ever going to mention it.”
“I don’t know if the others know. But he let it slip to me a few days ago.”
“Maybe he’s regretting it.” I shrug. “I don’t know why he’s doing it in the first place. It’s crazy, he doesn’t even know the kids.”
Marius swerves sharply, cutting the traffic off and stopping suddenly by the side.
“What the-?” I gasp.
Marius cuts me off, “Don’t question him. That’s just the guy he is, Cadence. There’s no ulterior motive here. You’ll hurt him if you think otherwise. Trust me. He can’t give his money away fast enough. He grew up hard, Cadence. Like, on the streets hard. And now he’s just trying to give back. Half of our staff are people he grew up with, family and friends, and random people he’s met on the street who just needed a second chance. If he sees someone he can help, he’ll help them. No credit, no thanks necessary.”
It takes me a moment to absorb everything he’s said.
After a moment, I nudge him with my elbow and wink playfully, “Did he pay you to say all this?”
Marius guffaws, “Please, he couldn’t afford me. I make just as much as he does and I have more saved since I’m not burdened by a burning need to do good.”
I don’t believe that for a moment, but I don’t say anything, knowing he’s just trying to make a point.
“Thanks for telling me.”
“No problem.” He turns back into the traffic.
“Anything else he didn’t tell you to tell me that I might need to know?” I take the chance to get some inside info.
“Ah, now that stuff is probably gonna cost you, but like I said, you couldn’t afford me.” Marius grins and reaches for the car radio dial.
SEBASTIAN
It’s been two weeks since we started rehearsals for the new album, and I think I deserve some sort of medal for keeping my hands off of Cadence. Almost ten rehearsal sessions of me sitting there alternating between thinking of taking her in every position known to red-blooded mankind and then visualizing Weird Al Yankovic in a teddy and rotting meat to stop the effect that thinking of fucking her has on my cock.
Every sound, every word, every move she makes drives me fucking insane. The way her hair falls down her back, the soft bounce of her hips when she walks, her ass swaying to the music on the piano stool. Every little movement is torture to me. And she’s the only one who can relieve it.
Is this the age old effect of just not getting what you want? Because if it is, with this contract in place, I can’t see me getting any relief any time soon.
It doesn’t help that the other guys adore her. Because now I couldn’t get rid of her if I tried. She’s hardworking, passionate and just as talented as any of us. After long days at work, she comes and works until one of us begs Dennis to let us stop; never complaining, never stopping. Every rehearsal, she walks in here having taken everything we’ve suggested on board and worked on it. And every rehearsal she walks out, and I have to do everything in my power not to chase after her. Tell her, beg her not to leave.
Sometimes I also visualize me throwing her over my shoulder and dragging her back to my room like a caveman, but mostly, I just want to be with her, around her. Around her infectious endless positivity, her sharp and bright outlook on life.
She’s done exactly what I’d hoped she would, breathe life back into our band. Reminding us how lucky we are to be doing what we’re doing, and the life it allows us.
A few nights ago, almost falling asleep exhausted from our rehearsal schedule, I let the deal slip to Marius. Surprisingly, he didn’t find it too shocking All he said was, “Good thing she can actually play.”
Well, that and, “Don’t fuck it up.”
If he means professionally, well, that’s up to her.
If he means personally, I think it’s too late for that.
***