Same Time Next Week (Ch 65)

For the first time in days, he felt hopeful.

Maybe he hadn’t completely lost her. Maybe he hadn’t screwed things up by not following his first instinct and going after her. Maybe she was scared, cowering in a corner and needed someone to find her and grab her, wrap her up in comfort and safety and never let her go.

The question, though… was Jackson ready to be that man for her? Or was Shelby right to step away, because he didn’t want or need the tornado swirling around her?

He’d passed out in bed soon after he’d come home from the studio and slept harder than he’d slept in ages. The next morning, he awoke early and felt well-rested. He dressed, packed the small duffel he’d brought to California and ordered an uber. If everything went as planned, he and Rod would be on a plane back to Florida that night.

Rod was in good spirits. He wasn’t at all excited about being awake and at the studio early, but when Jackson said he wanted to finish and get back to Orlando, Rod was suddenly motivated. The sooner he got back to familiar ground and his gaggle of women, the happier he’d be.

Jackson worked ahead of the engineer until he showed up and then the three of them got down to business, working on the remaining song to be mixed. Music recorded live by the band was layered with vocals from Rod and Jackson on top, then a balance of the two. Then adjusting and playing and adjusting and playing−over and over and over again until it was perfect.

At lunch break, Jackson bit down a sandwich held in one hand while taking notes with the other. “I think we can knock out the bridge and outro this afternoon. I want to give everything one last listen but… we’re cool.” He nodded, satisfied, and tossed the pen down. His eyes lifted to find Rod eyeing him, a suspicious glint to his stare.

“Something you need to share, Sweeney?”