‹ Prequel: Strong Enough
Status: Sequel! Slowly developing the idea, please be patient. You're awesome!

Good Enough

Forever and Always

*Bryden's POV*

“Dude, you make my life so awesome!” Rylan patted my shoulder, handing me a soda as we sat in the recording area going over the song we’d just recorded. This was a huge difference from my acoustic recordings with my little guitar.

“Well, I’m pretty great like that, but can I ask why?”

“Because ever since you got famous, everyone knows me. And while it’s annoying to hear, you know Bryden McVea, right? I’ve met so many girls, it’s insane!” The animated way he spoke, imitating the girls he would meet. I shook my head.

“Are any of these girls legal?”

“Half of them. And half of those actually gave me their numbers.” He slouched down into a chair across from me. “Granted they mostly thought I’d give them to you, but it still counts.”

“You’re secretly pimping me out for phone numbers?” My eyebrows raised as I looked him over.

“Only in the sense that I let them believe I’ll hook them up with you.”

I kicked his leg, rolling my eyes and going back to listening. It was still early, probably around nine. Jax would just be waking up right now, probably only because Mia woke her up in the process of getting ready for work.

It’s only been two weeks since they moved into their place in Long Beach, but Jax was in no hurry to find a job. She had enough money saved up that she didn’t need to rush into a new job. She said she didn’t feel like being in the model scene again, though there’s no doubt she could get a job with her eyes closed. She did help her dad at the ranch every couple days, but that wasn’t exactly taking over her life. As my mind wondered to thoughts of her, a smile must have spread across my face.

“You’re not even listening any more are you?” I opened my eyes to see Rylan with a skeptical look.

“That obvious?”

“Ever since that day in Vegas, whenever you think about her you get this goofy grin. You’re the most readable person I know. Yeah, it’s obvious.”

Suddenly, we were no longer alone. I liked coming in early to get things done before people started bombarding the studio and demanding things from me. After working at the ranch for four years, early morning hours never bothered me. Unfortunately, the quiet atmosphere never lasted more than a few hours.

“Bryden, that sounds great. When did you record that?” My new manager, Arthur, was always too excited. At first that had been nice, knowing he was genuinely excited about working with me. Turns out, he’s just excited all the time. It was getting on my nerves.

“We laid the lyrics down this morning. The band recorded their part last night. You knew about this, Artie.” I didn’t look up at him, instead watching the lights on the sound board, knowing he was making a face at the nickname.

“Arthur. And that’s great. What else are you working on today?”

“We’ve got a few half-finished things we’re playing around with.”

“Well, hop to it. You’ve been working for the last four weeks on these songs and you’ve only recorded two. Well, I suppose this makes three. The label has expectations. Also, we have to go over some scheduling things later on—announcing the single, photo shoots, appearances and things like that.”

“The single?”

“Yes, you’re a cute face who just got signed and no one knows your music except for the youtube videos. We need to start building your appearance. I’ve already got three radio stations on board to play the single when it comes out this weekend.”

“This weekend? Artie, it’s Wednesday. When were you going to tell me about this?”

“I thought I just did. Well I’ve got to run. Work hard. I’ll be back at 3.”

Stunned, I watched him swish out of the room, his words lingering in the air. What the fuck did he mean, the single was coming out this weekend? I didn’t even know which song he thought was the single.

“Bry, relax. The songs you have are great. And, you have a million more that are great too. I don’t know why you don’t just record some of the ones you already have. They’re awesome, and with the band they’ll be top of the charts overnight.”

“I just feel like this is a new part of my life and it deserves new music. If it gets down to the wire, I’ll use them, but for now I want new stuff.”

“Well, let’s get crackin’.”

We worked together for another hour or so. Rylan being a studio guy was able to help me with what did and didn’t work in the writing process. It would have been nice having Tommy there too, but he was in a different studio today working with other artists or something. As much as I’d love to have the whole studio to myself, that wasn’t going to pay the bills.

When the band showed up around ten, we sat around throwing out ideas for guitar riffs and catchy melodies. Honestly, the guys were great. The label had found me a guitarist, Mike, a bassist, Charlie, and a drummer, Seth. It was amazing how good they were and I was genuinely surprised they were willing to work with me. But hey, a gig is a gig I suppose.

By the time we’d had lunch and worked for a few more hours, we had another song ready to record and a solid melody line for another. So when Artie reentered the studio, bringing his smug face with him, Mike was in the sound booth recording his track.

“Okay, we need to talk timing and appearances.” Artie moved to the chair near the couch I was currently laying on and listening to Mike. “I have you scheduled to do an interview with K-103.7 at 7:30 Friday morning to announce the new single. I told you there are two others who will also start playing it that morning. I’m working on doing phone interviews with them some time throughout the day too. Sunday is the photo shoot for the album cover. The guys will be there and your friend Mia agreed to do the shoot.”

He kept talking and listing off the things he had scheduled for me. Don’t get me wrong, I’m stoked that this is finally happening, it’s just overwhelming. I’m in a new relationship, starting a new career and trying to keep everything else balanced too.

“Can you just pause the calendar for a minute? I need some air.” I stood and moved through the studio to the back door. Knowing the front has been crowded with people lately who read the article and are now fascinated with the studio, the back is safer.

Pulling my phone from my pocket, I pressed call for one of my new favorite numbers.

“Aloha.” Jacqui’s voice flowed through my phone, instantly relaxing me somehow.

“Aloha?”

“Yeah, why not?” I could hear her rolling her eyes at me.

“Valid point.” I couldn’t help but smile at the casual strangeness she seemed to exude.

“Plus it’s a beautiful day and I’m tanning in my Hawaiian bikini.” An image of her in the pink swimsuit covered in white hibiscus designs formed in my head. Damn, this girl had an effect on me.

“That’s one way to distracted the hell out of me.”

“So what’s up? Shouldn’t you be recording some kind of instant smash hit?”

“Yeah, probably. I just needed to talk to you.”

“About what?”

“Artie said they’re releasing my single this weekend.”

“Really? That’s great. Why don’t you sound happy about it?”

“Because they only told me today. It’s just stressing me out. Everything is happening so fast.”

“Bry, this is what you want. You have a song, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Then it’ll be fine. Your music has always been good. Plus, the girls out there are already obsessed with you. You could do a Barbie Girl remix and they’d love it. So calm down.” I couldn’t help but laugh.

“I just need to stop thinking about it.”

“How about this—we’ll go out tonight, the five of us, and have some fun. No work, no thinking. Just a good old fashioned night on the town.”

“I think that sounds perfect. You’re the greatest.”

“Fact. Thank you for acknowledging it.”

“I’ll see you when we’re done here?”

“You know where to find me.”

I heard her hang up, the image of her on her back porch, laying out and soaking up the sun again invading my mind.

While the image distracted me to a point, I couldn’t help but notice she hadn’t said goodbye. I didn’t let it bother me too much, she was letting me get back to work and I would see her soon. Maybe I’ll ask her about it tonight.

I made my way back into the studio, this time renewed by the comfort from Jacqui with strength to deal with Artie and his expectations.
♠ ♠ ♠
The sequel!
Seriously, let me know what you think. I know this first chapter isn't the most exciting, but it's important!
Also, the next few days will be a little crazy for me because I'll be traveling, so I will most likely not update until Sunday or Monday. But, because you were all so excited for this, I felt like I had to put it out as soon as I could!
I love you all! Leave me some love!
~Tracicita~