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Thatcher grinned. “I’ve got the whole day off and nothing to do. I can drop you at the studio and pick you up when you’re ready. I’ll remind you that I do go on duty at six in the morning, so if you guys have an overnight session, you might need to take a rideshare home.” He picked up an envelope from the counter and handed it to me. “Here’s your key to the doors.”
I took the envelope, relieved to have my own key. “Okay. Thank you.” I owed the man a huge favor for taking care of me the previous night. He was one in a million.
Thatcher made himself a piece of toast, and once we finished, I went to shower and dress to go to the studio. I wasn’t sure I was ready to hear someone else play the bass line of our new songs, but under the circumstances, I didn’t have much choice.
I walked into Sound Wave Studios, relieved to see River, Arlo, and Goldie waiting for me. The previous night had been a step toward healing, or so I hoped, because there were a lot of spots I didn’t remember.
Arlo stepped close and kissed me on the cheek. “How’s your head? Mine’s pounding. We were dancing, dude.” He laughed as he stared at me.
“Dancing? I don’t dance.”
Goldie stepped closer and wrapped me in a hug. “Oh, baby, you got some moves. I saw the fireman watching you wiggle that ass, and he didn’t take his eyes off you.”
I was fucking speechless at his comment, but I had something to do. “Okay, let’s get started. Who are the musicians filling in?”
Lerner approached us with a grin. “Hey, fellas. Thank you for coming. Let’s get into the studio.”
I followed them to the studio reserved for us. When Lerner opened the door and we stepped inside, I was surprised to see River’s brother, Skyler, and the bass player from my dad’s old band, From the Ashes, Tony French.
“Uncle Tony.” I hurried over to where he sat on a stool with his favorite Fender bass. He flipped the bass around his body so he could hug me.
“How are you doin’, champ?”
Tony French was an amazing man who I’d known for most of my life. He didn’t have a family as far as I’d ever heard, but he’d always been a kind man. I was honored that he’d agreed to play bass on our album.
I held up my brace. “I’ve got another surgery in a week, which is why we wanted to get in here now. After this surgery, I’ve got a couple of months of physical therapy before we go to Black Rock. I’m probably not going to be able to play there, so maybe we can record your bass on these songs as a separate track to play with the band at Rocktoberfest?”
Uncle Tony grinned. “Look, champ. I’ll play live for you if you need me. I have every faith you’ll be able to bounce back, but if you need time to recover? I’m there for you.”
I hugged the man again. It felt as if my parents had abandoned me, but Dad’s old friend was right there with me. I fought to hold back the tears. I’d never expected the support.
A drum roll and a cymbal crash caught me by surprise. “Are we doing this or not? I’ve only got a couple of days before I need to get my ass back to West Peoria. I’ve got young minds to shape.”
I smirked and went over to hug Skylar. He’d come to our rescue when we needed him once before, and here he was again, sacrificing his time for us. Skylar was a hell of a guy.
Arlo settled behind the piano as Goldie stepped into the studio with a mug of hot tea and a big smile. “Gents, where do we want to start?”
River turned to me and grinned. “Well?”
I chuckled. “Let’s try ‘When Summer Fades Away.’”
Lerner hopped up and started handing out the charts River helped me put together, and we worked through the song for the first time. There was still something a bit off with it, but I waited for feedback.
Hearing Skylar and Tony French work through the pacing of the melody made me smile. I couldn’t play the chords, but I agreed with every suggestion the two of them made. After we worked for three hours on the song, we were ready to lay down the first track.
When Summer Fades Away
(intro)
When summer fades away
When summer fades away
(verse)
Golden leaves begin to fall
Long shadows stretch across the wall
