Page 76 of Conquest

The door to the control room opened. Jesse glanced to see a man in his early thirties walk in. He looked close to six feet tall with a lanky build, his medium blond hair cut short and spiky. A smile took over Jesse’s face at recognizing the newcomer as Evan’s long time guitarist, Jerry Jeffries. He stood to greet him and noticed JJ’s hazel eyes examining him and the smirk tipping up his lips. He extended his hand, but before he could introduce himself, JJ spoke, his Australian accent thick.

“You’re Jesse Alexander, aren’t you?”

“Yes, I am.”

JJ shook his hand. “I knew it the minute I saw you from how the Mad Genius described you. He said you were a real looker, but he didn’t say you could give a straight man a second of regret for his preferences.”

“Thanks!” Jesse laughed. He caught what JJ had called Evan and gave him a quizzical look. “The Mad Genius?”

“That’s what I named him back in the day since he’s a bit on the batty side when it comes to his music and can be a damn tyrant in how he wants it played.”

“JJ!” Evan bellowed, standing in the doorway between the live room and the control room. Despite his sharp tone, he wore a smile. “Don’t tell him things like that! So far, I’ve been able to hide that I’m not perfect from him.”

Jesse winked at Evan. “It’s okay. I still think you’re perfect.”

The door to the control room opened again with Kenny poking his head through and looking at Jesse. “Hey, are you gonna sit in here all day?” His eyes landed JJ. He paused, then the door flew open the rest of the way as he leaped into the room and thrust his hand out to JJ. “Jerry Jeffries! Dude, you freakin’ rock! I’ve watched you play for years.”

JJ chuckled and took Kenny’s hand. “Thanks, mate, but don’t say years. You’re gonna make me feel old.” He cocked his head in a thoughtful look. “Then you’re a guitar player?”

Kenny nodded enthusiastically. “I’m Kenny Cooper, from Conquest.”

“Oh, then you’re the one who can give me a run for my money, according to him,” JJ said, pointing at Evan with his thumb.

Kenny’s wide gaze on Evan revealed his surprise at such a compliment.

Evan smiled at him, then slapped his hand on JJ’s shoulder. “Since you actually decided you might want to work today, let me play a new ballad I’m working on and see what you think.”

JJ rolled his eyes. “A ballad? What the hell am I here for if you’re gonna do nothin’ but make ballads?”

Evan turned for the live room. “Don’t worry. I got others that kick ass, and I’ve got a guitar solo for this one that’s pure genius. I don’t even know if you’ll be able to play it, it’s so genius.”

JJ leaned toward Jesse, and whispered, “See why I call him the Mad Genius?”

Jesse chuckled and nodded.

Evan took a seat at the piano, interlocked and stretched out his fingers, then settled them on the keys. He allowed silence to fill everyone’s ears. Slowly, softly, he pulled the first notes from the instrument, and let his rich baritone flow,

“I used to fear the sunset,

And the cold dark it would bring.

With it came my memories,

And a past I couldn’t leave.

But your soft breath beside me,

Is my shield in the night.

And I finally feel safe again,

As your heart beats with mine.

If you want to bring me down,

Let me hear your sweet voice sing.

If you want to see me fall,