Page 60 of Conquest

“Son of a bitch,” Kenny muttered in disbelief, turning away from Jesse.

One corner of Julian’s lips lifted as he shook Jesse’s hand. “And you won’t be the only one if I get this gig.”

“I hope I’m not your type. It could make things a bit awkward.”

“I think you’re probably about everyone’s type with that pretty face, though I normally go for more of the tall, rugged, athletic boys. And you?”

“I only have one type, and he’s the most breathtaking and talented man in the world.”

“That’s quite a reputation you give him to live up to, but since you’re in a relationship things should be perfect. I absolutely loathe cheaters and have a personal vow to never become one.” Julian’s eyes moved down Jesse’s body. “Your taste in clothing is superb. Versace T-shirt, Gucci belt, Armani jeans…and the most beaten pair of Nikes I’ve ever seen.”

Jesse laughed. “Actually, the Nikes are the only things that belong to me. All the rest are my boyfriend’s. I’ve been staying with him and he doesn’t care if I raid his closet.”

“He’s a true gentleman of sophistication then.”

Jesse nodded and glanced around the room. His smile wavered at what he saw. Kenny stared at him, his mouth agape in a mortified expression. He met Trish’s eyes, but she flicked them away as if pretending they hadn’t made eye contact. Tim looked at Greg with a glory filled sneer that spoke of I-told-you-so, and Greg had an expression akin to someone who had bet their lifesavings on the favorite to win the Super Bowl and had just finished watching the team get pummeled. Other than Julian, the only one who didn’t seem rattled was Jeremy, who stood leaning back against the wall sipping his coffee.

“I’m sorry if this is a shock to some of you,” Jesse said. “But it had to come out sooner or later if we’re all going to be working together. If it makes anyone uncomfortable, I guess the only thing I can say is to get the hell over it because it’s just the way things are.”

“Jesse!” Kenny yelled. “Subtlety, dude! Seriously!”

Jesse moved toward Greg, meeting his eyes with a steady stare. “Is this a problem?”

Greg looked into Jesse’s eyes, then shook his head. “No, though Kenny has a point about subtlety. But we’ll discuss that later. Right now, we need to put our attention to the issues of the moment and that’s giving Trish and Julian an idea of your vision for the sound of this album.”

Jesse decided to grant Greg his escape and turned toward the couches. He sat on the one closest to the wall with Kenny on his left, Julian taking a seat on his right, and began passing around his sheet music.

Julian grinned at him as he took his copies. “You’re a bold one, aren’t you?”

Jesse answered him with a smirk and handed Trish her copies. She gave him a weak smile before lowering her gaze to the papers. He had only made enough copies for Greg and two others, so he handed Jeremy his originals to look over since he and Kenny had every note and harmony memorized.

He turned a harsh eye on Tim. “There’s not any left for you.”

Tim shrugged. “I don’t need to look at them.”

“I didn’t figure you did.”

Greg glanced back and forth between them. His gaze came to a rest on Tim. “That’s not exactly the attitude I expect you to demonstrate, Tim.”

The muscles in Tim’s jaw clenched. A strained smile curved his lips, and he leaned over the arm of his chair to look off Jeremy’s papers.

Jesse forced down the burst of glee at Tim’s reprimand and brought his attention to his music. “I guess as far as a vision for sound goes, we’re definitely focused more toward the rock side, but my main thing is to not have it too heavy. I like keeping things light, fast, and fun. That’s why I lay down an electronic backline from the synth in some of our songs, to bring in that extra kick and add some diversity. Between the electronic backbeat and the front rhythms of the drums, that’s why we don’t feel we need a bass player, plus I can play the bass myself in the songs that I feel need it. Basically, we have a lot going on in our songs. They’re refined, but also carry a strong, bold edge. We get our strength from the guitar and drums, our refinement from the keyboard, and the fun, lively part from the electric beat. And obviously, my voice is of unquestionable importance since it’s what everyone really wants to hear.”

Julian sat forward, his thin eyebrows drawing closer in concentration. “In ‘Shattered,’ you go through some fairly complex movements with the piano.”

Jesse nodded. “Yeah, but sadly I’ve always had to use the keyboard to substitute for a real piano during performances, but that won’t be the case anymore since I’m assuming I could have a piano on stage during our live shows.”

“Absolutely,” Greg said.

After an hour of reviewing Conquest’s songs, Greg stood up. “How about we go down to Studio B and have Jesse and Kenny play for us, since if you guys are feeling anything like I am, you’re dying to hear these two without the background static and a hundred drunken women screaming for Jesse to take his pants off like what was on the demo.”

Jesse chuckled as he got up. “Being wicked hot is as much of a curse as it is a blessing sometimes.”

“That ego of yours truly is magnificent,” Julian teased.

“It’s not an ego when it’s the truth,” Jesse retorted.

Everyone followed Greg down to Studio B. They stepped into the live room paneled in golden oak and stocked with a full drum kit, bass guitars, six different types of electric guitars, two acoustics, four keyboards, and a black grand piano. Greg, Trish, and Jeremy gave Jesse, Kenny, and Julian an introductory lesson in setting up the equipment, and an hour later everything was ready to go.