truly believe that you belong with us on that stage. You really added something to 'Helpless', and we think you could add something to all of our other songs too," he told her. "Besides, you'll have me working with you on guitar. Who better to teach you?"
"I don't know guys," she hesitated. If she was honest with herself, she would have admitted that she got a rush when she was on stage with the guys, and she would love to be up there playing with them for more than just one song.
"I know I'm not a part of the group or anything, but as an outside observer who knows music, I have to agree with the guys," Janis told her, then turned to the guys. "I've always liked your music, but it was something different when you guys played in our studio. It sounded more complete, more refined. I think that Kaylee would make an excellent addition."
"See, it's settled then," Colton said. He didn't want to fight over this.
"No, it's really not. I don't think you guys are thinking clearly here." Kaylee protested.
"Fine, we'll put it to a vote tonight at the karaoke bar. You against me. If the crowd votes for you, then you'll join the band full time. If the crowd votes for me, then you'll just have to be with us during 'Helpless'. We'll do three songs each. You pick two for me, I'll pick two for you. Then we'll pick one for ourselves," Ashton told her in a stroke of brilliance. "But, we have to be satisfied with whatever the audience decides."
Kaylee pondered this for a moment. Surely no one would pick her over Ashton, so what harm would there be? "Fine, but we have to go by how the audience votes. If you win, you need to stop pestering me about being in the group."
"Done," he said, and held out his right hand.
"I'd rather seal the deal with a kiss," Kaylee said with a smirk, and grabbed the front of his shirt, pulling him closer to her.
"I like the way you think," he told her, before pressing his lips to hers.
The guys all groaned, getting annoyed with all of their public displays of affection, but Janis just smiled. She looked over at Noah and winked at him, loving the blush that spread across his face when they made eye contact.
Soon after, they arrived at a small karaoke club. From the outside, the building looked old and dirty but once you got inside, it was amazingly clean and modern. The stage was large and had a few microphones already set up, with a teleprompter to show the words for the songs.
On the opposite end was a long bar, lined with barstools and patrons waiting on their drinks. From what they could see, the bar was shined to perfection, and the bartenders working like well-oiled machines. In the middle of the room, tables were scattered everywhere, most of them full already. There was also a small sitting area off to the side, with a few leather couches and coffee tables.
The guys saw a couple of tables available next to each other, to the right of the stage, and made a bee line for them. They pushed the tables together, making room for everyone to sit. A waiter circulated the room, and finally made it over to them to take their order. Once he left, Kaylee lightly grabbed Janis's arm.
"Hey, can I get your help for a minute?" she asked Janis. Janis nodded, and they both got up from the table. "I need some help picking out Ashton's songs, and since you know music so well, I was hoping you could help me out."
She smiled. "No problem. I figured you'd ask me, so I was already thinking about it. I was thinking about your song that you get to pick out too. Do you want to win or lose?"
Kaylee thought for a minute. "Lose," she lied. "I just don't think I would be any good for them."
"Well, I think you're wrong, but here's what we're going to do. I was thinking that you should sing a song that is so difficult that even some of the professionals have trouble singing it. You know, one of the songs where the original artist sounds so good on the song that no one could ever rival the way that they sound," Janis explained.
"That sounds perfect. What did you have in mind?" Kaylee asked, flipping through the list of songs that the