Sheet Music - A Rock 'n' Roll Love Story
- Автор: Lister Ann
- Серия: Sheet Music #1
- Год: 2011
- Язык: голландский
- Год: Lulu.com
- ISBN: 9781105173578
- Жанр: Прочая древняя литература
Электронная книга - «Sheet Music - A Rock 'n' Roll Love Story». Краткое содержание книги:
The tour didn’t hold the glamour she had expected it to. The travel was exciting but tedious. After each show she would beg to be taken back to the hotel and fall into bed, sleeping hours straight, only to wake feeling more tired than when she had gone to bed. She was still suffering through the occasional bout of morning sickness and circles had begun to appear beneath her eyes. Michael didn’t like what he was seeing and voiced his concern with Lacey. It was obvious the entire band needed a break - especially Annie.
“After tonight we have three weeks off for Christmas and New Years. That is the best I can do for her,” Lacey said to Michael.
The holiday break couldn’t have come soon enough for them. Annie and Michael spent their first Christmas and New Years Eve together as a married couple and surrounded themselves with family and friends. It was a welcome relief to both of them. They formally announced Annie’s pregnancy and embraced the joy everyone showered upon them. It was a great time for all and the happiest Annie could remember.
But all too quickly her tour resumed and Michael’s scheduled time in the recording studio was closing in on them. As the days grew closer to his departure with Brian and the band, Annie noticed his mood swings begin. He was becoming
short-tempered and reclusive. When he left, their contact for the next three weeks would be limited to the phone only.
The recording sessions took Michael and his band to San Francisco. They stayed in an old two-story motel beside the studio. Years ago the band had dubbed this place as, ‘The No-Tell-Motel’. The motel was on the outskirts of the city, nothing fancy, but it’s close proximity to the recording studio made it desirable for their session schedules. The rooms were sparse, consisting of two double-beds, table and two chairs and a television that was probably as old as the motel. This was a place Thrust had stayed on many occasions in the past while recording but not one Michael remembered with fondness.
“What’s the matter, Michael? You seem so down,” Annie asked during one of their many long phone conversations.
“Nothing really,” he sighed. I guess I’m tired and I miss you.”
“How’s Brian?”
“Screw him.”
Annie smiled. She didn’t have to question further, she already knew what Michael’s problem was. “Is it that bad?”
“You have no idea. This is the worst he’s ever been. He’s acting like a little dictator, micro-managing everyone and everything. I can’t take it. In fact, if it weren’t for the other guys, I’d already be gone.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” she said with sincerity.
“Wanna know the worst part?” he asked.
“What could be worse than that?”
“Me lying here and wanting you when you’re so far away.”
“Lonely?” Annie asked.
“More than you know.”
“Well, I’m sorry I can’t be there.”
“Me too and I won’t do it again either,” he replied.
“Do what?”
“These long separations. They’re not healthy.”
“It’s less than a month. We can handle that.”
“It’s too long for me, Annie. It drives me crazy to wake up without you.”
His voice grew weak. “It's been... difficult .”
Annie’s heart began to race. She could hear the desperation in his voice. His silence spoke as loudly as his words. In the background, she could hear laughter and chatter.
“Your television is awfully loud,” she commented.
“It’s not turned on.”
“Then what’s all the noise I hear?” she asked.
“Brian is entertaining in his room - again,” he answered begrudgingly.
“Ohh.”
“So, how’s our baby doing?” he asked, trying to change the subject.
“ She's doing great; very active, kicking me all the time.”
He sighed loudly. “I wish I could be there with you, babe. I hate the fact that I’m missing this.”
“Don’t worry about it. You’ll have plenty of time before the baby is born to be a part of everything.”
“I still feel bad.”
“I’m getting so fat, Michael. You won’t recognize me. And I still have two months to go!”
“I bet you’re sexy as hell,” he said, his voice low and seductive.
Annie giggled loudly. “I sincerely doubt that!”
“Do you really think it’s a girl?” he asked, rolling over onto his back and staring at the stained ceiling.
“Yeah, I do. And if it is a little girl, I'd like to name her Sammi,” her voice trailed off.
“I think that would be a really nice tribute, Annie.”
By the end of the conversation, Annie made a mental note to make arrangements on her next day off to make a surprise visit to Michael. She only wished she could make it happen sooner. She could tell with each passing day that Michael’s moods were growing darker.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Michael dialed Annie’s phone number and was somewhat relieved when she didn’t answer. After the argument he had with Brian earlier, it was probably best he didn’t speak to anyone for fear he might say something he would regret later.
Just after midnight he heard a knock at his door. Thinking it was Brian, he ignored the first several bangs. When the visitor showed no signs of disappearing, he decided to see who it was.
She was a groupie by the name of Jill, standing beneath the overhead light of the second floor balcony and looking like she’d lost her puppy. Jill was well known to everyone in the band and their road crew. At one point, she traveled with them as their professional massage therapist. She was dark-haired, older than her face or body revealed and always had a smile to share.
“Hey, Jill. How are you doing?” he asked, swinging the door open only wide enough for his body to fill.
“I’m doing good, Mike. Where’s Brian tonight? He told me to meet him here at midnight and he’s not answering his door.”
“I think he already left. His room has been quiet for a few hours. Why don’t you leave a note on his door or something,” he suggested, wanting to end their conversation.
“Would you mind if I waited in there with you? I mean, I’m sure he’ll be back soon, right?”
“I don’t think that’s such a good idea, Jill. I’m really tired and I’m not in the mood for company.”
Jill ran her fingers down his bare chest and smiled. “What's the matter? Worried I might jump your bones instead of Brian's?”
Before he could reply, Jill ducked beneath his extended arm on the door and entered the room.
“I promise I won’t stay long. If he doesn’t show up soon, I’ll leave you alone. Okay?”
Jill plunked herself down onto Michael’s bed and began clicking through the cable channels on the old motel’s television. “Not much on tonight,” she commented.
He watched her from the door and rubbed his forehead. The one time Brian decided to go out and Jill shows up, he thought, drifting across the room. He sat at the table, purposely avoiding his bed and crossed his arms over his bare chest.
“So, what’s got you in such a rotten mood?” Jill asked.
“Life in general.”
“Rumor has it, you and Brian are at each other’s throats again. Is that true?”
“Where do you hear this shit?” he asked, annoyed by her bluntness.
“I have my sources,” she smiled with a shrug.
She was pretty in a girl-next-door kind of way, very natural, and always cut to the chase. On another night he might have engaged her in conversation but tonight he simply wanted to be alone.