Los Angeles
Lauralee arrived at the hotel, went to Alex’s hotel room and let herself in. She sat on the couch with a cup of soda in one hand, when she heard a knock at the door. She got up and answered it.
“Hey you!”
“Hey!” Lauralee hugged Laura as she let her inside. They sat down on the couch. “So, how did everything go here?”
“Looks like all the decisions are finally done. You know, I never knew so many white and blue flowers existed on this earth until I met Colin. But it looks like smooth sailing for the next six weeks, unless there is some other choice to be made, which I wouldn’t put past Colin. But enough about me,” Laura leaned in to Lauralee. “How was Jerry?”
Lauralee rolled her eyes for the millionth time. Laura’s eyes grew wide. “That bad huh?”
“That bad. So, have you talked to Celia?”
“Just this morning. Club’s doing fine without us. She said its been packed every time we open. I miss it actually, I can’t wait to go back to home.” Lauralee just nodded as Laura cocked her head to the side. “Hel-lo! Are you listening to me?”
“Huh?”
“What’s with you? It seems like you’re in outer space or something.”
“I don’t know…” Lauralee put her head in her hands. “It’s just… the club, the album, Jerry… I guess it’s all getting to me.”
Laura gave her knee a reassuring pat. “I think it’s the latter of the three that’s getting to you. Come on girl, you know you can always talk to me. I’m your best friend, we always tell each other what’s on our minds.”
“It’s just that I don’t want my mother to get hurt. He told me that he told his family about who my mother was related to, and she was bombarded with questions by his nieces. I don’t want her being used.”
Laura propped her elbow on the couch. “So let me get this straight. You don’t like this guy because you think he’s using her to get to you? Lau, come on! He’s a successful lawyer; he’s handsome from what I hear about him from my mother, he’s single and heterosexual. I don’t see why he would use your mom. For what, money? Success? I think he has it all. I think he just wants to be with your mother for companionship.”
Lauralee folded her arms. “OK, OK, looks like I’m not going to win with this. Let’s say we head to the arena and check out the set.”
~*~
Laura and Lauralee walked in as the guys were finishing their final set for “Shape of My Heart.” Lauralee waved as her and Laura walked to the stage.
Alex waved as they finished the last note. After that was completed, Alex hopped off of the stage, and ran to Lauralee.
“Hey baby,” Alex gave her a soft kiss.
“Sounds good,” Lauralee smiled as she put her arms around his neck.
Alex smiled as he grabbed her hand and walked with her towards the stage. “Well, now that you’re here, it’ll sound better.”
They hopped back up on stage as Lauralee hugged the other guys. “Looking good guys.”
“Thanks,” Nick wrapped a towel around his neck.
“So how was your trip back east?” asked Brian.
Lauralee shrugged her shoulders. “Eh, it was alright. So, when are you guys gonna be finished with this?”
“Now actually,” Howie smiled.
“Great. Let’s go,” Lauralee and the others left the arena.
~*~
Alex took a sip from his glass as he and Lauralee snuggled on the couch. “I have to agree on Laura with this. He seems like a nice guy, Lau.”
“I figured you wouldn’t understand,” Lauralee sighed.
“What’s there to understand? Your mother likes him; your grandmother likes him. Why can’t you?”
Lauralee stared out into space and Alex sighed. “OK, I’ll reason with you. Next time we go to New York, I’ll check him out personally; get a third opinion. But if I think he’s OK, you promise me that you will give him a chance.”
Get a third opinion… the words echoed in her mind as the wheels turned around in Lauralee’s head. She looked up at Alex. “OK, deal.” Alex kissed her forehead and she looked down. Get a third opinion…
~*~
The group arrived at the arena once again, as they were backstage watching the guys get ready. Lauralee had her plan now; going about it was going to be the hard part.
“Ladies!”
Laura and Lauralee turned around to see Riley Thomas running towards them. He gave each of them a hug.
“How’s our favorite manager doing?” Laura smiled.
Riley smiled back. “Doing what I do best. How’s your vacation coming?”
“OK. Can’t wait to start working again. These wedding details are killing me.”
“Looks like we might have to cut the vacation short. I’m flying the girls out tomorrow. We have to start finishing the album.”
Lauralee sighed. “Knew the fun had to end sometime.” She looked at Laura. “Uh, Laura, can I talk to Riley for a second?”
“Sure, I’ll just see if I can help out with the guys. I’ll meet you in their dressing room.” Laura left Riley and Lauralee alone.
Riley folded his arms. “OK, what’s this about?”
Lauralee started to walk as she put her hand around Riley’s shoulder. “I need a favor…”
~*~
“So everything is going OK at the club?” Lauralee was on her cell phone at the recording studio, waiting for the rest of the girls to show up.
Celia laughed. “Don’t worry. Everything’s like clockwork. I faxed the latest numbers to the studio so you can check them out.”
“You didn’t have to do that.”
“Just wanted you to see how things are going. I’ll see you next week OK?”
“OK, thanks Celia.”
“No problem. Bye.”
“Bye.” Lauralee clicked off her cell phone as the girls walked in the studio. She gave Bianca and Elizabeth a hug hello, then they started to get to work.
They were finishing the touches of their song “Boyfriend,” which probably stood the chance of being the first single off the new album. They worked with Lil Kim on the record, and she was more than willing to do the video with them. Lauralee produced and wrote the song, and they were just touching up the loose ends. They had to re-record Bianca’s part on the bridge, as well as the background vocals for the last chorus.
After about 5 hours, Bianca’s part was done and they had just finished the chorus, when Riley walked inside. “Hello ladies. How’s the song coming?”
Lauralee leaned back in her chair by the boards. “Recording’s done, now I gotta finish mixing and editing the cut.”
“Good, because Tommy wants to hear the final version.”
“I’ll send it FedEx when I finish it tonight.”
Elizabeth leaned on the board. “Tonight?”
Bianca followed suit. “Come on Lau, don’t you wanna check out the concert?”
Lauralee was fiddling with the buttons. “Um, why don’t I finish this and then I’ll come later if I have time.” She turned to the rest of them. “Go on, I’ll see you later.”
“OK,” Laura grabbed her bag as the others followed. “We’ll see ya later.”
The girls left as Riley stayed behind. “I got what you wanted.” He took a piece of paper out of his pants pocket and gave it to her.
Lauralee looked the paper over. “They any good?”
“Some of the best that I know of, with the price to match.” Riley leaned on the boards. “What is this all about Lau?”
“It’s… personal,” Lauralee put the paper on the side of her.
“Alright, I won’t ask anything else,” Riley got up. “I’ll see you tonight at the arena.”
“OK, bye,” Lauralee turned to the boards as Riley left. Once Riley left, she grabbed the paper and took out her cell phone. She dialed a number and waited for it to ring. “Hello? Robson and Young? I’d like to speak to one of your top men, please.”
Chapter 8
Contents
Chapter 6