Don’t Fall For A Dreamer (Wayward Lane Backstage #3)

Chapter 3

CHAPTER 3

JESSE

“ I lost the love of my life three years ago,” Evert admitted quietly. “He passed away.”

I couldn’t see Evert clearly since I was sitting under a bright light, and he was in the shadows. Hidden behind his camera. But I heard the pain in his voice. It was unmistakable.

“Shit, Ev, I’m so sorry.”

Evert sighed. “I know about love and loss. Art brought Zachary and I together. And it’s the one thing that’s sustained me since he died. I couldn’t ever imagine giving it up. It’s not a job, it’s who I am. And my reason to get up every day and live the life that he can’t.”

I swallowed hard at that. Unlike Ev, I’d been unable to pick up my guitar for years. I didn’t want to play or sing. Music was celebration to me, and when the band broke up, all my joy shattered along with it. At twenty-three, I was suddenly without my friends, my job, and the man I was in love with. Even if Landry didn’t love me back, he was always around. Until he wasn’t.

And the last thing I wanted was to play. To be reminded of everything I’d lost. I was alone and scared. I ran away, trying to forget. Fifteen years later, here I was. Was I still running?

“I was very young when the breakup happened,” I blurted out.

Was this a photo shoot or a confession? And why did it all come pouring out of me? With him?

“I was twenty-three years old and I lost everything,” I admitted. “And I ran. I couldn’t cope with the loss, so I stopped playing.”

“But you didn’t leave the music world behind.”

I nodded, unsure why this was all tumbling out of me.

“Pure necessity. Like a typical young rocker, I spent almost everything I’d earned. I didn’t have a college degree, savings, or a family I could ask for support. And there was no way I was going back to Oklahoma. Music was the only thing I knew. So, I applied myself to the business side. First, booking gigs at a local venue in Nashville, then working my way up.”

“No one recognized you?”

I shrugged. “Occasionally. But I changed my hair, my clothes, my entire style. Besides, we were only famous for a couple of years. It’s not like people recognized me very often.”

“I’m surprised. You have a memorable face.”

What? No, I didn’t. I wanted to roll my eyes, but I held off.

I heard the click of Evert’s camera and wondered what kind of pics he was getting if I was talking the whole time. Probably one of me mid-sentence, with my mouth open. I bit back a laugh at that idea.

“Right there,” Evert commented. “Keep that smile.”

It was hard for me to do just that. After a few more clicks, he lowered his camera.

“Beautiful.”

No way. No one ever described me like that. Not even a lover. I was the least pretty guy in the band and compared to most guys I met, including those I hooked up with. Not only that, but I knew how photographers worked. They praised everybody; it was part of their job to make people comfortable and to get the best shot.

I didn’t like that I was being played. Fuck, I needed to get out of here and back to work. Talking about my past made me feel exposed. I was always honest and upfront if someone asked, but still, re-hashing it was painful. And then Evert placating me with fake praise tipped me right over the freaking edge.

“Are we done now?” I bit out.

“You can’t take a compliment?”

“Not when I know it’s bullshit.”

Evert stalked up to me. When he finally stepped into the light, I saw the intense expression in his green gaze. Oh, he was pissed off for sure. And me? I was sweating like I’d played an entire set.

“Don’t insult me,” he bit out. “I say what I mean. And I know what I see.”

“Then maybe you should switch out your contact lenses and get your glasses back on,” I snapped back. “I’m not beautiful, so don’t even go there.”

This was a mistake. I knew I shouldn’t have come here. Averell was going to get a piece of my mind when I saw him at lunch. Frustrated, and feeling out of place, I stood up, buttoned my shirt, and shoved down the sleeves.

“You can wear all the disguises you want, Jesse, but I see you. As an artist who photographs people every day, I can tell you that there is beauty in everyone. And I see yours very clearly.”

I flinched, but I wasn’t going to give in. “You don’t need to flatter me, Ev. You already got the contract for the world tour.”

Evert’s expressive face turned into an icy mask.

“I’m done with the photographs,” I continued. “The answer moving forward is no.”

“I got the shots I needed. But let me remind you once again; I don’t take orders from you. Av hired me. Remember that.”

He was right, but I didn’t like it.

“Fine. But stop pushing.”

“Stop hiding,” he lobbed back.

“I’m not. This is who I am,” I insisted.

“You keep telling yourself that, cari?o. Maybe one of these days, you’ll believe it.”

Evert

I watched as Jesse stomped out of the studio, slamming the door behind him. What the hell happened? One moment we were making a connection, talking about our deepest hurt, and then, boom, we were back to sniping at each other.

My hands were shaking. Christ, I was so rattled, I was trembling all over. Jesse thought I was blowing smoke up his ass? Giving him a line about his looks?

I pulled up my camera and started flipping through the photos. Jesse was wrong. He was powerful and vulnerable all at once, and yes, beautiful. Those deep, dark eyes of his had me transfixed. And that picture that caught his smile? It captured me. I stared at it for the longest time, and not with my creative eye.

“Ev? Is everything okay?”

I turned at Bailey’s voice and automatically nodded. “Yes, fine.”

Maybe yes, maybe no. My heart was still racing. It hadn’t done that in years.

“I passed Jesse in the hallway, and he looked upset,” she replied as she drew closer.

I shook my head. “Nothing to worry about. He doesn’t like having his picture taken and we had a disagreement about it. It’s fine.”

She walked up to me, and I passed her the camera.

“Have a look,” I stated.

There was silence as she perused each shot. I walked across the set and placed the chair aside. Then I turned off the lamp and turned on the overhead light, the room now bright.

“He’s very photogenic,” she announced.

“He doesn’t think so,” I scoffed.

“Well, he’s used to working behind the scene, not in front of it.”

I guess Bailey didn’t know about Jesse’s rockstar past.

“I like the one with the smile,” she stated and handed back the camera.

“Me too,” I replied as I glanced at it again.

No, I didn’t glance. I stared. For too long.

“What’s next, boss?” she asked me.

I shook out of my musings.

“I’ve got to talk to Averell and show him what we’ve got so far. Then lunch. And we’ve got another band coming in at two. They’re new to the label and will be performing at one of the world tour stops so we need to include a full package; individual head shots, group, the usual.”

“Got it. I’ll get it set up and see you back here later.”

“Thanks, Bai.”

I put my camera down on the makeshift desk and downloaded the photos to my laptop. First things first, I wanted Av’s feedback. If he wasn’t happy with the Wayward/Killmine photos, I’d have to do another set. It was fine. We still had a month to go.

I headed up to the executive floor, gave my name to the receptionist, and waited in the lobby. With time to kill, I perused the band photos again. I was satisfied there was enough for the marketing people to work with, but Av had the final say.

Unable to stop myself, I clicked on Jesse’s photos again and a new idea surfaced. I should’ve included Jesse in a pic with Wayward Lane. I made a mental note to ask Av what he thought of the idea. Jesse would pitch a fit, but whatever.

A few minutes later, Averell stalked out of his office in a brightly patterned suit, his trademark. Today’s outfit was purple plaid. I didn’t know how he could stand wearing them. The very idea of a suit jacket, a button down, and worst of all, a tie, made me break out in hives. No thanks.

“Evert, nice to see you.” He offered his hand. “How’d the shoot go?”

“Great. I wanted to show you the lot and get your feedback in case we need another set.”

“Of course.” He nodded. “I’ve got Jesse with me in the boardroom if that’s okay? We’ll have to combine meetings as I’m pressed for time today.”

I stopped short and Averell raised one eyebrow.

“It’s fine.” I shrugged. “Well, he’s not a fan of having his picture taken. He told me as much, again, this morning. Let’s just say he and I agree to disagree.”

“Ah yes, the staff photos.” Averell grinned. “Well, as you Americans like to say, tough shit. This is a promotional business and being in the public eye is part of his job.”

“I know that, and you know that, but Jesse’s a stubborn pain in the ass.”

Averell laughed at my blunt statement and motioned to the end of the hallway. I started walking, and my heart took off running again. The closer I got to the boardroom door, the higher my nerves, until I was all but vibrating.

When I stepped inside the room, Jesse was seated at the far end of the table, a pile of papers in front of him, his phone glued to his ear. He looked up and spotted me, then swiveled his chair around, and kept talking. Ouch. My ego was taking a hit today, that’s for sure. But since I was never one to be pushed aside, I kept walking. I picked a spot opposite Jesse, while Averell grabbed the seat beside me.

I had no idea who Jesse was talking to but when he said “exclusive access” my guess was someone in the press. That was a big part of his job, and I didn’t envy him. Once I had enough business to warrant it, I hired an agent who dealt with my PR. I was far too direct to navigate the media world.

Averell started talking, but I was busy staring at Jesse’s profile. So much so, that my hands were itching for my camera again.

“Evert?” Averell called my name.

“Sorry, Av.” I turned to him. “I missed what you said.”

He smiled at me. “Let’s see the photos.”

I opened my laptop and slid it over so he could peruse the hundred or so shots. “I’ve tagged the ones that I prefer and I think they’ll work out well for what you have in mind. And, I had another idea that came to me while I was waiting. What do you think about Wayward Lane in a pose that pays homage to their very first album cover? And for the promo tour, I’d like Jesse to pose with them.”

“Love that idea.” Averell nodded. “And these shots.”

Jesse ended his call, shaking his head. “I told you, no more pics.”

“Nonsense. Ev’s idea is smashing,” Averell announced, ignoring Jesse’s comment. “But I want Jesse out of his usual corporate look and into something that suits the rock ‘n’ roll vibe.”

“Av,” Jesse bit out. “What the hell are you playing at?”

“It’s called courting the media.” Averell turned to me again. “We’ve got a cocktail reception in two weeks to celebrate the tour launch, and full press in attendance. I’d like to showcase some of these photos at that event.”

“That’s great,” I replied. Averell handed my laptop back. “I’ll get to work on the edits. And the timing for replicating the cover?”

“Wayward are still in the building, talking with Zoe and Elias. I’ll have my assistant recall them to the studio so you can get it done today. And while you’re both here, you might as well know that Zoe is ready to go on maternity leave. We’ve contracted Elias to fill in for her on the tour.”

Elias Kain was the band’s lawyer. And now their public relations spokesperson? That was an interesting development.

Averell picked up his phone and began typing away. I glanced across at Jesse and his responding glare could cut this boardroom table in half.

“Don’t frown, cari?o, it doesn’t suit you.”

“You’re really fucking enjoying this, aren’t you?” he hissed.

“Why are you so worked up?” I replied. “It’s a few pictures.”

“Maybe to you. To me, it’s—” he paused. “I don’t like it.”

“I’ll make it as quick and painless as possible. I promise.”

Jesse sighed and ran an agitated hand over his head. “Fine.”

Averell looked at us and set his phone down. “We’re good to go. The boys will be back in the studio around four if that works?”

“It does. But I need to talk to Bailey and get the setting figured out. And I have that new band coming in at two,” I paused and looked at Av. “If there’s nothing else, I’m gonna go grab a bite.”

“Lunch is being delivered shortly. Why don’t you stay and join us?” Averell suggested.

I hesitated for a second and glanced at Jesse. Despite the warning in his eyes, I said yes.