Ace (Playtime Series Book 1) by Gemma Arlington (distant reading TXT) 📕

am not going to be wasting a hundred thousand dollars every time these guys can’t be bothered to show up because they’re too busy dealing with hangovers.  So I propose you get your leather clad ass in there,” I bellowed, pointing to the recording booth, “And play me something worth recording,” I added.

“Sure thing Ace,” Eric grinned, jumping up from the lounge he was sitting in before walking in to the recording room.

I didn’t really care what he recorded, as long as I had something so that we didn’t waste

money and the studio’s time.

˜*˜

We had managed to record a few new riffs, which to my surprise, Eric had made up as he went along; he had talent and seemed to enjoy having the studio to himself.

I, of course, was still trying to track down the rest of the band and it seemed I was close to finding them.

The other guys were still in L.A so that was good news; they hadn’t run off or ditched the city. But trying to find their exact location was a lot harder, especially when Eric wouldn’t tell me anything. I could see he was hiding something. For now, all I had to do was find them and make sure they arrived at the studio tomorrow, on time, ready to record their latest album.

“That was great, Eric! Do you want to run through it again?” I asked. He grinned, and nodded to the sound technician.

I smiled and sighed all at once, my phone had been vibrating in my back pocket.

“Miss Rivers,” I said answering my cell.

“Ace, my sweet thing, I found the band,” Hank announced. His voice was heaven to my ears, not to mention he had news, good news.

“Thank you, thank you and thank you! I owe you big time for finding them,” I sighed heavily.

“I have them in a taxi on the way to the studio. You have Jake to blame for the fuck up, but remember to be kind; Dash is watching you closely, so please try not to piss off the band,” Hank joked, even if he was slightly serious.

I knew Dash was watching me closely and as much as I was ok with it, because I liked his prying eyes on me… get your mind out of the gutter Lacey… I also knew that with him breathing down my neck I couldn’t afford to fuck up.

˜*˜

“Thanks guys, pack up and we will pick this up again tomorrow and at this time…please don’t be late. You cost the studio a lot of money this morning,” I groaned, a little annoyed, but happy we had managed to get at least something done today.

The sound was incredible, it was true what I read; Jake had an amazing voice. The grunge rock and husky tone to his singing gave them something that other rock bands didn’t have.

“You heading home?” A voice behind me

asked. I turned to look at Damon, who like usual, seemed to have no shirt on. Even in a studio the man needed to at least bear his chest.

I wasn’t heading home after this; in fact, I was going out with Elle. It was Thursday night and she had yet another band she wanted to check out. Stupid me had caved and said yes to her on the one condition that I didn’t have to drink. I had more studio time, not to mention a meeting tomorrow afternoon with heaps of stylists and photographers, ready to shoot album covers and promo pictures for the upcoming tour.

It still amazed me at how quickly the label could pump out a record and everything that came along with it.

“Damon,” I acknowledged with a meek smile. I looked down at my cell phone as I typed a message to Elle.

“So are you going home?” he asked again.

“Why?” I questioned.

“I wanted to know if you would like to go have a drink. We didn’t exactly get off on the right foot and I would like to redeem that,” Damon claimed with a grin.

“Unfortunately I have plans, but if you’re interested I guess you could tag along,” I mumbled, regretting inviting him the moment the words slipped from my mouth.

“Count me in,” Damon applauded.

“Where are we going?” Eric called.

I had just been about to click send, letting Elle know that I’d be picking her up in ten minutes, which was now going to be fifteen at this rate.

“Ace and I are going out,” Damon said, smiling from ear to ear. The guy seemed to enjoy pissing off Eric at every opportunity. I rolled my eyes…men! They seriously had way too much testosterone, that and the urge to outdo each other at any possible chance.

“I already had plans, but decided that Damon could tag along, if you want to join you’re more than welcome too,” I stated as I looked up from my phone. Eric’s eyes were too gorgeous, with their silvery outline and dark brown irises.

This could not happen! I needed to concentrate on something other than the way he was looking at me right now. I quickly drew my focus back to the phone, clicking send. I decided I would skip the part of telling Elle that I was bringing anyone. She would get one hell of a surprise when she discovered that I was bringing Damon along with me.

“Count me in too,” Eric said.

Oh shit, let’s correct that. She wouldn’t just get a hell of a surprise, she would die when she found out I was bringing not one, but two members of JED.

~Chapter Seven~

Ace

“Sorry I’m a little late,” I sighed, as Elle answered her door.

I had decided to go up to her apartment and get her, leaving the boys in the Jag. I wanted to tell her that I brought them with