Play for Me (12 page)

“They sent me out to see if you were okay,” said Jett with a
grin on his face. “Lover boy?” He gestured to the phone.

“Just a friend at the moment,” said Sam, not wanting to
reveal too much.

“Yeah, right. Your mom wanted to know if you wanted dessert
because we have to head out. Jordan said it would take us about an hour to get
there.”

“Sure,” said Sam, trying not to get flustered. “Let me get
my guitar and I’ll be ready.”

 “You want to change or something?” Jett frowned at what Sam
had on.

“Why, what’s wrong with jeans?” Sam looked down at her
outfit.

“I want you to stand out tonight. This is big, Sam. We’ll
stop on the way to get you something.”

“But what if I don’t want to?” asked Sam, somewhat irritated
at Jett

“Because when you play on our album, even if it’s just a
little, I want them to remember Sam when she played in Chicago. Just go along
with me for this, okay?”

“Okay,” grumbled Sam dejectedly as she followed him into the
house.

“Sam’s getting some new threads; we’ve got time to stop at a
mall?” asked Jett.

“Better yet, stop at Neiman Marcus on Michigan Avenue,”
suggested Bunny brightly. “I can’t believe Sam is going to play. She hates to
play and she’s good.”

“That’s what I think, too, Mrs. S.” Jett smiled at Bunny,
yet he glared at Sam.

“I suppose I’m driving, too?” Sam jingled the car keys in
her hand.

“We’ll take a cab.” Jett reached for Sam’s guitar case. “It’s
on me.” The three of them piled into the waiting cab with Jordan sitting up
front and Sam and Jett in the back seat.

“I just love this city, but it’s a little too cold for my taste,”
said Jett as the trio made their way downtown.

“Here,” said Sam to the driver as they pulled into a strip
mall. “One little black dress coming up.” She scooted out of the car while Jett
and Jordan waited patiently

“Do you think I should go in and supervise?” asked Jett to Jordan. “I mean, since Sam’s new at this.”

“Nah, she knows what she’s doing,” responded Jordan. But all eyes were on Sam as she emerged from the store with two packages and got
back into the cab.

“Let’s see,” said Jett as he tried to get the packages from
Sam, who wouldn’t let go He gave up and watched as she slowly and dramatically
opened the packages.

“See? A little slinky black dress and check out these shoes.
Four inch heels!!” Sam showed Jett her purchase while Jordan looked on with
boredom.

“Does it fit?” asked Jett. “It’s what I had in mind, though.”

“I’ll make it fit. We’re in a hurry!” Sam sat back trying to
relax. She had to get in the right frame of mind and to stop feeling nervous. She
still couldn’t believe this. She's back in Chicago with Jett and getting ready
to play along with Jordan with the
Asylum Monkees
.

Jett and Jordan strolled nonchalantly into the club, oblivious
of the stares from the patrons who noticed who they were. Sam followed them
miserably trying to get a handle on her nerves. She should walk out. She really
should.
Just turn around, get in the cab and go back home.
As if sensing
her mood, Jordan grabbed her hand. “Don’t even think about it,” he whispered
fiercely. “Go into the bathroom and change clothes. I’ll be waiting right here
for you.”

“How did you know what I was thinking?” demanded Sam.

“I’m your twin. I know what goes through your mind. Now
hurry up.” Jordan pushed her into the bathroom and waited patiently while Jett
stood guard, as well.

“He knows what I’m thinking,” grumbled Sam as she went into
the stall and changed into the little black dress. She wobbled on the heels
since she hadn't worn heels like this in years. With her luck she’d trip
onstage. “Calm down,” she said out loud while she looked into the mirror. She
fluffed up her hair and went heavy on the eye shadow and eyeliner. Pleased with
the look, she finally emerged from the bathroom looking for Jordan and Jett.

“Perfect,” said Jett pleased with the transformation.

“I went for the video vamp look,” said Sam sarcastically. They
went backstage and Sam tried not to be in awe as Jordan and Jett made the
introductions. She wanted to whip out her purse and ask for autographs but one
look from Jordan, stopped her cold.

“Be cool,” Jordan whispered into her ear. “Remember, they
put on their pants one leg at a time, same as you.” Jordan led Sam to Mitch
Allen, lead singer. “Mitch? Like for you to meet my little sister, Samantha.”

“Jordan never told me he had a sister,” said Mitch as he
shook Sam’s hand.

“Pleased to meet you,” said Sam, eyeing Mitch’s appearance. He
had his black hair spiked, his face painted white and his fingernails painted
black. Sam had heard their music, but had never seen them before. Not prepared,
she tried not to stare.

“She’s a guitar player, too, and she’s pretty damn good,”
said Jett as he teasingly cuffed Sam’s shoulder.

“So, you want to play with us on one of our sets?” asked
Mitch as he looked to Jett and Jordan.

“Just a song or two,” replied Jordan. “I’ll bring her in. Where’s
the song list?”

“Chad has it over there,” said Mitch, pointing to a large
man whose long, frizzy hair kept swirling around his head, like Medusa. “He’s
our sound guy.”

“Oh,” said Sam still trying to take in the whole scene. She
numbly followed Jordan and Jett over to Chad.

“Hey, I know you guys,” boomed Chad with a smile. “What can
I do you for?”

“Jordan and his sister, Sam, are going to jam in a couple of
the songs,” said Jett, shaking Chad’s hands. “Which ones would be good?”

“Hmm,” said Chad thoughtfully. “I’ve heard Jordan play, but
I haven’t heard you?” He looked pointedly at Sam.

“She can hold her own,” answered Jett. “As a matter of fact,
we’re going to use her on some of our tracks.”

“Why don’t we do
Love Bites
and then
Cruel Lovers
?”
suggested Jordan. “Remember the riff? Bah, boom,” sang Jordan as he played air
guitar.

“Yeah,” responded Sam, her brow creased in concentration.

“I can do the vocals on those two,” said Jett.

“You’re going to sing, too?” asked Sam somewhat surprised. As
she turned, she stumbled on her heels before Jett caught her.

“Easy there, tiger,” said Jett affectionately. He gave Sam’s
arm a gentle squeeze. “Better practice on those spikes.”

“I’ll be fine,” said Sam stiffly. Another thing to worry
about. Not only did she have to play, she had to be careful about not tripping
on stage. She didn’t want to ask herself if things could get any worse. “I
could use a drink,” said Sam.

“Take your pick,” said Mitch as he pointed out a shelf with
various wine bottles. “So, where have you been hiding?”

He has a nice smile
, thought Sam. “Believe it or not,
right here in Chicago. I'm moving to Los Angeles this weekend. Jordan talked me
into this. Jett, too.”

“Let’s go,” yelled Chad, and everyone went into action. Sam
grabbed a glass of wine and opened up her guitar to tune along with Jordan. Jett sat down and smiled fondly at Sam watching her intently.

“Sam,” said Jordan trying to get her attention. Using his
two fingers, he pointed to his eyes and then to hers. “Focus. Breathe deeply. Remember,
I’ll be there with you.”

“Okay.” Sam swallowed nervously. She sat back and listened
to the band and slowly got into the concert. She listened closely to each
musician play, their cadences and how they moved their music. She would have to
remember that when she played.

The next thing she knew, they were on. The set went dark and
all three of them headed on out, with Jordan first, Sam followed and Jett would
walk on later. Both Sam and Jordan miked up and then Mitch introduced them to
the crowd.

“Tonight, we have some special guests, Jordan Stevens and
sister, Sam, on guitar.”

The spotlight focused on the two of them and the crowd
clapped politely. “Also, we have joining us, someone you all know, Jett
Robinson!” The crowd clapped enthusiastically. The band struck the first note
with Jordan and Sam in the lead. Mitch began the first verse while Jett waited
until the chorus to join in. Their voices blended well together and Sam began
to enjoy playing. When the instrumental piece of the song came on, the band
stood back and let Jordan and Sam play. Sam matched Jordan note for note, like
they always did, competing with each other to do a better job. When the song
had ended the crowd was on their feet screaming their appreciation. Jett winked
at Sam with an “I told you so” and then turned back to the crowd. On the next
song, Sam’s confidence soared at an all time high and it showed in her
performance. Taking a final bow, both Jordan and Sam waved to the audience. Smiling
broadly as they exited the stage, Sam smiled at Jordan.

“See? I told you, you could do it,” said Jordan fondly. He gave her a big hug and Sam stumbled on her heels.

“Man, my feet are killing me,” moaned Sam as she sat down
and rubbed her feet. “Maybe next time, the heels won’t be so high.”

“Hey, look at Lady Gaga and Beyonce,” chided Jordan. “Get
with the program.”

“Funny. So, what happens now?” asked Sam.

“We’ll probably party, are you up to it?” Jordan looked at
his sister expectantly.

“Nah. I still have to pack. Besides, my car is at Mom and
Dad’s.” Sam started to pack up her guitar. “I’ll catch a cab and I’ll expect
you guys later. You know the password to get in right?”

“Yeah, Cracker’s birthday.” Jordan spoke to the security
guard who hailed a cab for Sam and she gratefully sunk into the backseat and
fell asleep.

“Where’s Sam?” asked Jett as he came backstage. “She rocked!”

“Yeah, where did she go?” asked Mitch and Chad at the same
time. “You didn’t tell me your sister has that much talent.”

“She left because she has to finish packing,” explained Jordan.

“Remember, she’s moving out to Los Angeles,” offered Jett. “She’s
working for me now.”

“Well, next time, she’s invited to the party.” They all left
the club and headed down to the south side of Chicago to see Buddy Guy’s club.

Bunny and Artie were sound asleep when Sam arrived at their
house. She quietly got Cracker and loaded him into the car. She felt revived by
her nap and began to pack. Satisfied, she glanced at her watch which read four
in the morning and there were no signs of the men. Shrugging her shoulders, Sam
padded off to bed and fell into a deep sleep until the front door crashed open
at eight in the morning and a drunken Jett and Jordan stumbled into her living
room. Cracker started talking. Sam got up, slipped on some athletic shorts and
went out to survey the commotion.

“Look what the cat dragged in,” said Sam as she leaned
against the living room door frame.

“You should’ve been with us,” said Jordan with a smile. “Oh, man, we had a blast!” He walked to her refrigerator and opened
the door. “Hey, do you have any beer?”

“There’s a couple of cans in there,” answered Sam and she
turned to Jett who had been studying her carefully. “What?”

“Next time we party, don’t turn me down.” Jett sat down on
the couch and waved off Jordan’s offer for another beer.

“I didn’t turn you down,” explained Sam. “This is a big
change in my life for me, and I had to pack. I didn’t want to be so hung over
that I wouldn’t do a good job. I don’t want to be flying back and forth just
because I forgot something.”

“So, it had nothing to do with me?” asked Jett almost
petulantly.

“No, it didn't,” mocked Sam with a smile, noting the
sensitivity of Jett’s ego.

“Okay, you’re forgiven.” Jett's face lit up with a smile.

“Why don’t you two get some sleep? Jett, what time are we
leaving?”

“Ralph said we are taking off around four. What time should
we leave?” Jett yawned loudly.

“Best we leave here by two thirty,” suggested Jordan. “Come on, Jett. We can sleep in the spare bedroom. Sam? Wake us up at two.”

“Right.” Sam rolled her eyes. “It doesn’t take men any time
to get ready.” Sam watched the two of them stumble to the spare bedroom and
just shook her head. She should try and get back to sleep, but Sam's mind had
gone on overload as she quietly prepared for the trip.

****

“I can’t believe we made it,” breathed Sam as they boarded
the plane. “I really didn’t think we would.”

It had been an event. When Sam had gone into the bedroom to
awaken the men, Jett had pulled her into the bed with him. Sam had shrieked
causing him to snap out of it and looked so embarrassed of what he had done
that, he kept apologizing. Jordan and Jett both took showers and by the time they
were out of the place it had been close to three. Then, there had been an
accident on the highway which delayed them even further and they reached the
airport with fifteen minutes to spare. While entering the terminal, the door to
Cracker’s cage came loose and he bolted around the terminal until someone
caught him. Taking the leash, Sam marched Cracker up the airplane’s stairs and
they stored the dog cage in with the rest of the bags. Cracker jumped on the
seat of the plane and made himself comfortable, with a trace of a dog smile.

“No one ever told me traveling with you could be so much
fun,” said Jett to Sam as he crossed his legs and put his hands behind his
head. He stretched to his full length and smiled.

“Yeah,” laughed Jordan. “Sam is a trip.”

“Thanks for the vote of confidence,” snipped Sam. She patted
Cracker, put in her iPod and ignored the two men.

“We’ve got a lot to talk about,” said Jett as he shook Sam’s
feet, jarring her out of her trance.

“Like what?” asked Sam.

“My schedule for next week. Toby will drop you off at your
place tonight, so why don’t you come in around noon on Monday. Gives you a
chance to get settled in. This week will be light because I’ve got rehearsals
for our upcoming tour and, of course, there’s the show. The guys and I will
decide what tracks we want you play on, so keep practicing.”