A FILTHY Enemy - Jaxson Kidman Page 0,11

father do for your ninth birthday, Abby?” Rae asked.

“Died,” I said.

Rae shut her eyes. “Shit. Sorry.”

“Don’t be,” I said. “It was a long time ago.”

“Okay, let’s get going,” Sasha said. “I’m sorry to everyone who has Daddy issues.”

“You’re one to talk,” Jess said. “You call whoever you’re sleeping with Daddy.”

Sasha’s face blushed a little. “I’m never getting drunk and talking about my sex life with you again.”

“Oh, I want to hear this,” I said.

“Hey, Sasha, when you’re done fucking him, do you ask for money to go to the mall?” Rae asked.

We all started to laugh.

Even Sasha.

We left the boutique and Jess was at my side.

She nudged me with her elbow.

“You better fucking do this,” she whispered to me. “And you better be awesome. And when you’re rich and famous, pay those crazy people off and then buy me something nice.”

I force a smile. “Deal.”

“Shit, we’re going to be late,” Sasha said to me.

Singing to sweet, little Mackenzie turned out to be a pain in the ass.

She was shy, then upset, then shy again. We ended up singing to her three times. Just to make her happy.

Of course, we were paid for our time. Plus gratuity.

I felt like a fool the entire time, but cash was cash.

There was nothing quite like being laughed at just to make enough money to afford two meals and some gas.

“Just follow me,” Sasha said as she ran toward the building.

It was actually kind of cool though… running toward a recording studio.

My heart fluttered a little. My mind kept that under control.

This wasn’t anything real or serious.

Best case, I’d get to sing on a song or something.

Maybe make a little money.

The true hope was to get recognized.

Have some big wig executive or record producer hear me and then want to sign me.

That was always the hope.

Sasha opened the door and I followed.

We ran down a hallway.

“We didn’t get changed,” I said.

“No time,” she called out.

She turned the corner and suddenly came tumbling back.

A split second later, a guy appeared with his hands out.

I came to a quick stop as Sasha let out a yell and touched her chest.

“Holy fuck,” the guy said. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah,” Sasha said.

“What happened?” I asked.

“She ran right into me,” the guy said. “Are you…” He pointed to my outfit. “You’re the singers?”

“Yeah,” Sasha said. “I’m Sasha. This is Abby.”

“Oh, nice,” the guy said. “I dig the clothes.”

“Yeah, they’re the best,” I said.

“I’m Kent,” he said. “I’m handling the recordings. We’ll get you singing and then I’ll pass it off.”

“How many people are singing today?” I asked.

“We have like… I don’t know… two dozen,” he said.

I sighed. “Okay.”

“Let’s go,” he said. “I was just going for a little break…”

He put his fingers to his mouth and winked.

“Right on, dude,” I said.

He turned and Sasha locked her arm to mine. “Are you excited?”

“Yeah,” I said.

We went into the studio and it brought back a lot of memories for me.

Sasha’s face lit up with glee. She gasped and turned in circles. She looked like a little kid in the world’s biggest toy store.

For me, I knew what it was all about.

“What is this for?” I asked Kent.

He made a gun with his fingers and pointed it at me. “Can’t tell you.”

“Really?”

“Totally,” he said. “But let me just say… it’s a big deal.”

I nodded and smiled.

Sasha went to sing first.

She ran through four different parts of songs. Just to test her range.

Then it was my turn.

I stepped into the booth and put the headphones on.

“Can you hear me, Abby?” Kent’s voice rang in my ears.

I gave a thumbs up.

“There’s four parts in front of you. Sing your heart out. We can run through a few takes if you want. Can’t be here all day though.”

I gave another thumbs up.

Sasha stood behind Kent and looked so happy for me.

I appreciated that.

I took a deep breath and music started playing in my ears.

I cleared my throat just to hear my own voice for a second.

Then I started to sing.

I shut my eyes and chased the world away.

When I finished my parts, I opened my eyes and took off the headphones.

Kent stood up and clapped for me.

So did Sasha.

“Fucking hell, Abby,” Kent said. “That was impressive.”

“Thanks,” I said.

“Hey… you two seem cool enough. Want to know what this is for?”

“You said you couldn’t tell me,” I said.

“Yeah, I know. Fuck that. Come with me. Just don’t make a fucking sound.”

“Ooohhh, I like this,” Sasha said.

Kent took us from the studio to a set of steps.

We walked up