got a guy coming in later I want you all to meet. He’s a potential replacement for Enzo.” A couple of the guys groan and he holds up his hand. “Chill the hell out. I said I wanted you to meet him. Let him play a few songs with you, see how it goes.”
According to the contract we signed years ago, Phenix has the final say on any replacements if one of us chose to leave the band. With Trey’s reluctance to leave his family behind and my own reservations of having this type of life, we were stringent on that one part. None of us wanted to be saddled with some asshole we couldn’t get along with.
“I thought we went over this already?” Dixon speaks up. “We want Rocky as a replacement.”
Rocky Monroe is an old friend of ours we met on our first tour. Up until a year ago, he was lead guitarist for The Swinners. The record label booted him when he went off the rails from drugs and anger issues. He’s been in rehab and anger management for the last six months and seems to be doing a lot better. Underneath all the rock star façade, Rocky is actually a decent guy. The lifestyle got to him and made him jaded.
“Yes, I know this, but I’m not sure Rocky is a good fit. I worry bringing him back into this type of environment might set him off again.”
“Fair point,” Seth says with a nod. “But I know the man well enough to say he’s on the straight road now. Losing his spot in The Swinners rocked him real good. Music is his life, and I know he won’t fuck up again.”
Max sighs, dropping his head. “Just give this new guy a chance, will you? I think you’ll all like him. He’s a damn good guitarist. We’re lucky no one’s snatched him up before now. If you’re still adamant about Rocky afterward, I’ll fly out and talk to him myself.”
Still looking wary, all of the guys nod. Since I’m no longer part of the band, I get no say so, but I think it was a good idea they agreed to at least hear the new guy.
Max turns to me. “I looked over the work you sent me, and I like where you’re heading with it. What else you got?”
Going to my bag, I pull out several folders and pass them around to everyone. After going over my vision, I slowly get nods of approval.
“Damn, Enzo,” Trey says, his brows jumping higher as he reads over the lyrics. “This shit has got to be one of your best.”
“It’s still not finished. I want to tweak it a little, but you should get the gist of it enough to start working on it.”
“This needs to be put in the upcoming album,” Owen inserts, still looking over the lyrics. “This shit is number one hit material.”
“Agreed. Which means you need to get it done and back to the guys within a few weeks,” Max instructs.
I nod.
Over the next few hours, the guys jump in the sound booth and practice some of the songs that’ll be on the next album. Although it’s weird being on this side of the glass, it’s also pretty fucking nice. Less pressure.
By the end of the session, the guys are very impressed with Max’s new guy, Dean, and agreed to let him come back for a couple more sessions. I have to admit, the guy was damn good and seemed to be a natural.
After saying goodbye to everyone, I’m ready to get the fuck out of here. Alaina and I have plans tonight, and I’m impatient to get them started. It’s been a little over a week since the wedding and we’ve spent three of those nights together. The woman has me hooked; like a junky on meth.
Just as I climb into my car, my phone rings. I swipe across the screen at the same time I close the car door.
“Hey, Mom.”
A loud crash followed by Mom’s muttered “You little shit” is my greeting.
I crack a smile. Mom likes to scold her kids on cursing, but she’s the worst of us all.
“Everything alright over there?” I ask, resting a wrist on the steering wheel.
“Oh, hey, honey. I didn’t hear you pick up,” she answers chirpily, sounding out of breath. “Just this bastard cat your father brought home. I swear she’s worse than having a toddler.”
“Why did Dad bring a cat home?”
“Found it on the side