Rock Hard Envy - Part 2 (5 page)

“Hey, you just get home?” I asked.

“Hey, girl! Yeah, Tommy dropped me off like five minutes ago. Oh my God, what a night!” Josie exclaimed. Now I was the one feeling the need to get Josie to dish.

“So,
you going to tell me about it or what?” I asked trying not to sound too desperate.

“We went to Vegas and got married!” Josie said and I almost fell over. I laughed as if she was kidding but Josie kept a straight face.

“You’re kidding, right?” I asked but Josie just smiled and showed me her hand, the other hand covering her fingers as if she was hiding a ring. She slowly pulled the other hand away and…there was nothing. Josie giggled hysterically.

“Got you!
You should have seen the look on your face,” Josie said as she recovered.

“Funny! So what did you do?” I asked again still curious how her night went.

“We hung out at the club for a while after you left, then we went down to the beach and walked along the surf, sat and talked, made out a little. Then we went to breakfast and he brought me home,” Josie explained. The Vegas story was more exciting but this was more believable.

“Sounds nice,” I offered.

“It was amazing. Tommy is so cool. We’re going out again next weekend,” Josie told me. Wow! My best friend was dating one of James’ closest friends. Neat!

“I’m happy for you. We’re both dating rock stars,” I said and Josie beamed at that. I know she was a little envious of my relationship with James and I was happy for her.

“So what about you? How did your mission go?” Josie asked. Mission? She must have talked to Anna.

“James and I had a good time,” I said.

“And?” Josie pressed. I didn’t mean to tell her all the details, but most of them came out anyway. I glossed over the intimate details, but I told Josie all about my encounter with Sylvia and finally I told her about James asking for anal sex again.

“Look at you, girl.
No more shy little Simone. You’re becoming quite the bitch,” Josie said and I rolled my eyes. “No, I mean it. You shut her down. Good for you. So, you going to give up the bootie?” Josie asked.

“I want to, but it’s scary,” I admitted.

“It’s worth it, let me tell you. Guys love it too. James will probably send that slut ex-wife of his packing if you let him in the back door,” Josie said. She might have been right, but I didn’t want to do it just to prove to James that I could be as kinky as Sylvia could.

“I’d hope James wouldn’t need that to keep me around,” I replied.

“I didn’t mean it like that. James is a good guy. He’s not like that. I can tell,” Josie said and that made me smile. I felt the same way and everything James had done and said only reinforced that. Sylvia and the old feelings she shared with James were the wild cards. I know James wouldn’t hurt me on purpose, but sometimes emotions could get the best of you. I was a great example. I shouldn’t be with a guy like James, but I gave in to my feelings. In my case, it was a good thing, a very good thing, but sometimes it wasn’t.

Josie and I spent all day Sunday together just like old times. We went to lunch, saw a movie and then made root beer floats back at home. It was nice. I wondered how many days like this Josie and I would have. Things were changing for both of us and it felt like this part of my life might be coming to an end. It wasn’t a bad thing but it was bittersweet. We both went to bed early that night. I had an early meeting with Battery’s record label and Josie had work. I’d gotten some sleep the night before but Josie hadn’t and by that evening, she was getting punchy.

The next morning I packed to spend a few days with James. I wasn’t going to let Sylvia keep James and I apart. Besides, we had work to do to get ready for the upcoming tour. The meeting with the record company was the first opportunity they had to meet with me after snubbing me a week earlier. I arrived early for the meeting and again I was kept waiting. I wasn’t as patient as last time, however, and after twenty minutes, I demanded to see someone. The receptionist begrudgingly called someone to come see me.

“This is the second time I’ve been kept waiting,” I told the young woman who appeared. “I understand sometimes emergencies happen, but there are issues that need to be worked out,” I explained to the woman but I doubt she had the authority to do much more than apologize and maybe reschedule.

“I spoke with the CEO. He told me to let you know that the company doesn’t recognize you as Battery’s agent and won’t be meeting with you,” she explained. I wasn’t expecting that.

“What does that mean? I’m Battery’s agent and that’s their decision, not the record
company’s,” I countered. The young woman smiled condescendingly.

“The State of California requires all agents be licensed and you’re not, Ms. Navarro. Until you are, our hands
are tied. When you were with Roland, you were operating under their license. Now you’re not. Good day, Ms. Navarro,” she told me, turned and walked away. I was speechless. That wasn’t right! I felt my temper rise, but I had no one to take it out on. I turned and walked out to head to Malibu and let James know what was going on.

~~~

“Technically, you don’t need the license,” Ernest, James’ lawyer, told us. “You’re not offering your services on the open market. However, the record label can see whom they choose. If they only work with licensed agents as a policy, there’s not much you can do about it. If it’s not policy, you could take them to court but I wouldn’t recommend that course of action. Get the license,” Ernest said over the speakerphone in James’ office at his house.

“Thanks, Ernie,” James said.

“Let me know if you need my services,” Ernest offered and hung up.

“Assholes!
We should have set up our own label years ago,” James complained.

“Why didn’t you?” I asked. James didn’t seem to enjoy dealing with the suits at his record label or succumbing to their demands. It seemed like being independent was more James’ and the band’s style anyway.

“Vicky talked me into staying with the label the last time our record deal expired. That was before I figured out she was more concerned with her dealings than what was best for the band. The more business she funnels their way, the better for her. This upcoming album is the last in the current deal and I won’t make the same mistake again,” James explained.

“I’m sorry, James,” I said.

“For what?” he asked.

“I’m just sorry. I’ll see about getting the license ASAP. I’ll do whatever I can behind the scenes until I have it,” I said. It was my job, whether James was my boyfriend or not, to represent the band and I took that seriously. This kept me from doing that and I felt responsible. I should have gotten the license to begin with.

“Whatever. It’s not your fault and it will all work out,” James said and hugged me. “I’ll meet with the label and give them what for. You get that license started. I don’t think it’s a big deal, which makes this whole thing even more infuriating. It’s just a fucking piece of paper. Get Ernie to help you out,” James said, kissed me and left. He wasn’t going to make an appointment to see the suits at the label. James was going to show up unannounced and dare them not to see him, and probably park in the loading zone too. Part of me wanted to be there to see that, but another part of me thought it might be better to remain safely out of the blast zone.

I spent the rest of the day on the phone with Ernest, filling out the reams of paperwork, setting up a virtual office and gathering all the information required. By the end of the day, we’d completed everything and
overnighted the package to the office in San Francisco for processing. James met with the label and much to his regret he was there most of the day. He called me from their lobby and told me he’d be home in half an hour to get me so we could go out and get dinner. An hour later, James and I were seated in the private dining room at his steakhouse.

“I almost feel bad about making you my agent. You have to deal with those fucking morons at the label. I had to say everything three times before they got it. Damn!” James complained.

“Sorry. I enjoy it,” I assured him.

“Don’t be sorry. Shit happens.
But they said something that made me think. They mentioned that someone told them you weren’t licensed. I talked up one of their flunkies on the way out and they told me the label rarely checks on stuff like that and she was surprised they were making a big deal out of it,” James told me. That was strange.

“She?”
I asked playfully.

“I used my considerable charm to drag it out of her,” James said and shot me his devilish grin.

“I bet she wet her panties when the famous James Turner took the time to speak with her,” I teased. James cocked and eyebrow and then laughed.

“Something like that,” he replied and then asked, “But doesn’t that make you wonder?”

“Yeah, are you thinking what I’m thinking?” I asked already knowing he was. In unison, James and I both said, “The Fraulein!”

~6~

Our dinner arrived just as James and I came to the conclusion that Victoria was probably behind the trouble I was having with James’ record label. Good thing too. Tonight, I chose crab stuffed sole and James and I ordered a huge bowl of mac and cheese. I didn’t bother with anything else as a side anymore and the creamy comfort food always made me feel better, if not a little sleepy.

“Do you really think she’s behind it?” I asked after we had finished eating.

“Who else?” James replied.

“Good point. She did promise to ruin us. Can’t we do something?” I asked but I already knew the answer.

“I doubt it. It’s not illegal to whisper in the record company’s ear,” James explained and I nodded knowing he was right.

“But why would they do it. Battery is one of their biggest acts,” I wondered. It just didn’t make sense for the record label to screw with James and Battery like this. What did they have to gain?

“But we’re not their only act and Vicky represents a lot of the others. Knowing her, she’s sold those other clients out to the label to coax them to fuck with us. They have us under contract for one more album and until then, we have to put up with them. I wonder what she promised the label. I wonder how many of her clients are getting her special brand of butt sex just so she can pull strings,” James said and that made me laugh.

“Maybe we should ship them some of the lube you used when Vicky fucked you,” I teased remembering James joking about the way Victoria had fucked him but made him bring his own lubrication.

“I don’t know. Looks like the Fraulein is still fucking me…and you now too,” James said summing up the situation as elegantly as usual.

“Well, I’ll just get that license and then the suits at your label won’t have an excuse not to deal with me,” I said hopefully, but James didn’t look convinced.

“I just wonder if this is the end. The Fraulein has to know that this is only a temporary setback. I’m thinking she has more planned. I wish I knew what and I’d shove it right back in her face before she has a chance to spring her little surprise,” James said and I suspected he was on to something. Vicky wouldn’t give up that easy.

“Maybe we should ask Peter,” I said and James slammed his fist on the table causing our dishes to rattle violently.

“Fuck!” he swore loudly and I couldn’t imagine what had upset him so.

“What is it?” I asked concerned he had thought of something I hadn’t.

“I could’ve had Pete go down to the record label today! Damn, I totally forgot. I wasted an entire day talking to those dicks,” James said. I laughed at his theatrics but I know he hated every moment of dealing with his record label and Peter could have easily stepped in. James was paying him anyway. Peter had been a good agent for James and was loyal enough to quit his job at Roland after James fired Vicky and her agency. James promised to take care of him and his family as thanks and eventually we hoped to set up a small agency that Peter could help run.

“You’re funny,” I said playfully.

“Glad you’re amused, little girl,” he retorted trying to look serious.

“You know, we need to go on the offensive. We can’t sit around waiting for Vicky to strike. We need to
show her she can’t fuck with us,” I told James and he showed me that devilish grin I so loved. Suddenly, he hooked his boot around the leg of my chair and slid me towards him, leaned in close as his hand moved up my thigh and his lips brushed mine.

“I love it when you get fired up, little girl,” he said and then instead of stroking my pussy, he began squeezing my thigh causing me to giggle and squeal. I slapped his hand away and scooted my chair back to its proper position.

“I’m not that kind of girl, Mr. Turner,” I admonished him remembering the first time we sat in this room a month ago.

“No?” he asked smugly.

“No, I’m this kind of girl,” I said and nearly got to my knees to pleasure James but Monica, the hostess, walked in and almost caught us.

“Dessert you two?” she asked and James shot me a knowing glance that made me smirk.

“No, Monica. I think we’re going to have dessert somewhere else tonight,” James told her without taking his eyes from mine.

“Um, OK. You want your truck pulled around?” Monica asked knowing damn
well what was going on.