Dissonance (4 page)

He called Carey as soon as he left Kenize’s loft and met him at a bar just down the street. Already, Chase found himself liking Nashville and its vibrant downtown. He might not always like it, sure, but it was a nice contrast to the sleepy pace of his New Hampshire hometown, and there was definitely more going on.

“Do you have an answer for me?” Carey asked as soon as Chase joined him.

He nodded. “Yeah. I’ll do it. We’ll do it.”

“Good deal.” Carey gestured to the bartender. “I’ll buy you a drink, since hopefully this project will make all of us rich. Or even richer.”

“Whatever.” Chase didn’t care about the money. He wanted to make good music, and he’d always believed that as long as he made good music, the financial aspect would work itself out. So far, that had proven to be true.

“So what changed your mind?” Carey asked after he’d ordered their drinks. “Because you seemed pretty adamant about not doing this.”

“Yes, I was,” Chase admitted. The bartender placed a beer in front of him, and he took a drink. Not as good as the one he’d had earlier, but not bad. “It didn’t seem like a good fit, at least at first. But after talking with Kenzie, and hearing some of her music, I changed my mind,” he said. “I like her sound, and she appears to want to record from the heart.”

“She does, yeah,” Carey said. “Her latest single is a pretty emotional one.”

“
Takin’ it Back
? It sure is. She played that one for me. In fact, it kind of sealed the deal,” Chase said. “So what’s her story?”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean that song’s obviously emotional to her. It’s not just any ole song. So what’s the story behind it?” Kenzie obviously didn’t want to discuss it, so maybe he could get some answers from Carey. “There is one, right?”

“Of course there is,” the manager answered. “But that doesn’t mean I’m going to tell you.”

“Come on, man,” Chase urged.

“Nope.” Carey shook his head. “Not my place.”

“But you know, right? Obviously you know.”

“I know a little,” Carey said, “but not all. I don’t think anyone knows all. Kenzie likes to hold things in.” He took a drink. “I’ll just say this. Tread softly, okay? Be careful. There’s been some hurt, there.”

.

CHAPTER FIVE

A
fter the way he’d hightailed it out of her loft, Kenzie wouldn’t have been surprised if she never heard from Chase again. After all, he was a platinum selling artist at the top of the charts. She was on the brink of being a country music has-been. She might need him, but he certainly didn’t need her. And he probably wanted nothing to do with the mixed signals she gave off.

Instead, Chase surprised her with an early morning phone call and invitation to breakfast at a diner close to Keith’s office. Maybe she hadn’t completely blown everything. Or maybe he just wanted to give her the news in person. He’d changed his mind. The duet was off and he was heading back east.

Assume the worst much, Kenzie?
Well, it was the same diner where Carey gave her the news that her new single bombed on the charts.

“Morning.” Chase greeted her with a smile. He wore a red T-shirt, jeans, and the same combat boots from the day before, and sported an extra day’s growth of beard, which suited him. In fact, it made him even sexier.

“Hi,” Kenzie said, pulling out a chair. “I thought you might be back in Vermont by now.”

“Vermont?” Chase’s lips thinned in a frown. “Why would I be in Vermont?”

“Isn’t that where you’re from?”

He shook his head. “No, New Hampshire. They’re close, though.”

“Sorry, I’m a Southern girl,” Kenzie said. “I’ve never been up that way.”

“Then you should check it out sometime. New Hampshire is God’s country.”

“Really?” She arched a brow. “Isn’t that kind of an arrogant statement?”

“Maybe.” Chase shrugged. “It’s really a beautiful place, though.” He picked up a coffee mug and took a drink. “And it’s home. I’ll miss it while I’m here.”

“Miss it? Does that mean you’re staying in Nashville for a while?” Already, Kenzie had her hopes up.

“Well, yeah, isn’t that obvious? You’re here, Keith’s here, and we have a song to record, right?”

“Right, yes.” Kenzie swallowed a sigh of relief and turned her mug over so the waitress could pour her some coffee as well. “I was afraid maybe you’d changed your mind,” she said once they were alone again.
Afraid maybe I’d run you off.

“Nah.” Chase shook his head. “I got together with Carey last night and we talked, had a drink. I thought some more about the project, and I have to say I’m actually getting pretty excited about the possibilities.”

He was excited? Not half as excited as she was, probably. “Me too. I’ve never sung a duet before.” She’d suggested one to Jesse when they’d first started dating, and he’d quickly nixed the idea. Now Kenzie was grateful he had. She had enough bad memories of their time together without having to hear one on the radio.

“Me neither, and I always swore I wouldn’t.” Chase gave her a smile. “I like your style, though, and your sound, so I want to do this. But after having a chance to sleep on it, I have one condition I have to insist on. Hopefully it won’t be a deal breaker.”

“Condition?” Kenzie’s mind raced, wondering what it might be. Was he going to insist she keep her hands to herself, because that would probably be a good idea, if hard to implement.

“Yeah. I don’t want Keith to just give us somebody else’s song to record. I want to write something original,” he said. “With your help, of course.”

“You want us to write a song together?” Kenzie didn’t have much experience writing her own songs. She was used to Jesse picking all of them, from the top writers in the business. The only songs she’d written herself were on the new album. The one that no one seemed to like. Did Chase know what he was getting himself into with his request?

“That’s right. I told you yesterday, I like music from the heart. I want to be able to connect to it. If it’s someone else’s song, I don’t know if I’ll form that connection,” Chase said. “So I want to see what we can create together. Are you game?”

Was she ever. “Yeah, I’m game,” Kenzie said. “I’d love to try to write a song with you.” She didn’t know whether she was in the same league as Chase as a songwriter, but hopefully she’d be a fast learner and be able to contribute something to the cause. “And I promise to try to behave myself.”

“How so?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Oh, I just meant I won’t throw myself in your arms anymore,” Kenzie promised.

“Okay, if you insist.” Chase gave her a sexy grin. “I wouldn’t mind too much if you did, though.”

***

Chase knew he should stop flirting with her. Carey’s warning had been pretty clear, after all. Although he didn’t know the details, Chase could read between the lines. Kenzie had been hurt, and hurt badly. So much so that she’d vowed to steer well clear of men and relationships. And he was only here for a short time. All the reason for him to steer clear as well. But damn it, she was so easy to flirt with.

Kenzie might have promised to behave herself, but if anyone needed to be on their best behavior, it was Chase. They ate a quick breakfast while she told him a little about Nashville, and then made their way to Keith’s office.

The producer greeted them with a big smile. “Carey tells me you’ve decided to join me for this project.”

“That’s right,” Chase said. “I admit I was reluctant at first. I’ve never done a duet, and I’m not sure about country. It’d be an honor to work with you, though.” He glanced over at Kenzie, sitting beside him. “And with Kenzie. I’ve had the chance to listen to some of her music, and I see the potential in this partnership.”

“Perfect,” Keith said. “Terrific.” He leaned back in his chair, resting his hands behind his head. “I can’t wait to make the official announcement. I’d like to debut the song at the ACM awards, so we need to get right to work. First thing we should do is find you the perfect song. I’ve got a few ideas—”

“No,” Chase interrupted him.

The producer’s chair swung forward. “I beg your pardon?”

Great. Now I might’ve pissed him off.
Musical integrity was important to Chase, though, and he wouldn’t back down. “I don’t want to record someone else’s song,” he said. “Kenzie and I talked about this before we came over here. We’d like to team up, write an original song to record.”

“But I’ve got a whole catalog of possible songs that some of the best songwriters in the industry have offered me, just for this project. For you two to record,” Keith said. “Guys like Jon Nite and Ross Copperman.”

“Ross Copperman, really?” Chase might not know the name, but Kenzie was apparently impressed. “He’s written for Luke Bryan and Florida Georgia Line.”

Okay, those were names Chase had heard of, so he should probably be impressed, too. And he was, maybe a little. But not enough to give in. “I’m sure they’re great songs,” he said. “For other artists. Not for me.” His voice was firm. Maybe he was arrogant. Maybe he’d piss Keith off so much that the whole project went down in flames before it started. It was a risk he’d take. “I’m sorry, but I don’t like recording other people’s songs. I feel like it stifles my creativity.” It wasn’t entirely true, since Chase had never recorded anyone else’s song, but he had a hunch if he did, it would.

“You’re serious?” Keith asked, and Chase couldn’t tell if he was impressed or amused, like he thought Chase might be a little bit crazy.

“Yes. And I’m afraid that’s a deal breaker for me.”

“I see.” Keith looked at Kenzie. “And you feel the same way?”

Chase turned to her as well. What would she say? She knew the names Keith had just dropped. What if it was her dream to record one of their songs?
Come on, Kenz. Don’t let me down.

After a hesitation that seemed like an eternity to Chase, but in actuality was probably mere seconds, she nodded. “Yes. I’ve been wanting to get more involved in writing my own music, and I want to work with Chase on this. We’ve already got some ideas, and I’m confident we can come up with something special. And from the heart.”

She said it so convincingly that Chase almost believed that they did already have ideas, when in fact they hadn’t even begun to discuss it. Yeah, he liked Kenzie’s style. Quite a lot.

“Okay.” Keith drew the word out in a way that made clear he was still a little skeptical. Or maybe a lot. “And if I say ‘Yes, you can write an original song,’ when can you have something for me to look at, or better yet, listen to?” he asked. “Because I told you, I want to move fast on this.”

“The ACM awards, I know. They’re in April right?” Even Chase knew that much. “So two months away. Not a problem. I’ve written songs in a half a day before. The best ones take me a little longer, though,” he admitted. “Maybe give us a week?”

“A week? You can get something ready in a week?”

“We sure can,” Kenzie told the producer. “And you’ll love it, too.”

“I’ll be the judge of that,” Keith answered. “What if I hate it?”

“I don’t think that’ll happen,” Chase said. “But if you hate it, truly hate it, then we’ll record one of those other songs you mentioned. Deal?”

***

Kenzie waited until they were in the elevator, leaving the building where Keith had his offices, before letting out a shriek. “Yes! You were awesome back there.” She held up a hand for a high-five, which Chase returned.

“Okay, thanks, but what did I do that was so awesome? I probably just stepped on the toes of one of the best producers in the business.”

“Are you kidding? You stood your ground, and got him to agree to let us write our own song,” she said.

“And you’re good with that?” Chase asked. “I was afraid you might be disappointed not to be recording something by that Cooperman guy.”

“Copperman,” Kenzie corrected. “But no, not really. I mean, he’s great and all, and someday I would like to record one of his songs. Not this one, though. You sold me, Chase. I want to see what we can do together. Musically, that is,” she hastened to add.

“Of course. Musically,” Chase agreed.

“Right. Good. So we’re on the same page.” Kenzie wondered if she was faring any better convincing Chase than she was herself. Try as she might, it was increasingly difficult to ignore the undercurrent of attraction between them.

“So where are we going?” Chase asked as they stepped out of the building. “Back to your place?”

“What?”

“To get started on the song,” Chase said. “Don’t you think we should? After all, we only have a week. And you did sort of imply to Keith that we’ve already started.”

“Oh, that.” Kenzie laughed. “Sorry. I got a little caught up in the moment.”

“Don’t be sorry. Enthusiasm is a good thing.”

“I do have ideas,” Kenzie told him as they walked in the direction of her loft. “Hopefully you won’t hate them.”

“As long as they don’t involve drinking or cheating, I think we’re good.”

“Yeah?” Kenzie raised an eyebrow. “What about dogs?”

“Dogs are okay,” Chase said with a laugh. “Why? Do you want to write a song about a lost puppy?”

“No.” Kenzie shook her head. “I was thinking more along the lines of finding love, if that works for you.”

“Sure, love’s good,” Chase said. “For songs, at least.”

“Just songs?” Kenzie asked. “Don’t tell me you’re jaded about love?”

“I’m not jaded, no. I believe in love. I just don’t have any personal experience with it.”

“You don’t?” Kenzie couldn’t keep the surprise from her voice. “You’re saying you’ve never been in love before?”

“That’s right. At least not the real kind. The kind that lasts,” he explained. “What about you, Kenzie? Have you ever been in love?”

She weighed her answer for a second, then shook her head. “No. No, I haven’t. Once, I thought maybe I was, but it turns out that wasn’t love at all. In fact, it wasn’t even close.”