Studio Lights and Bad Ideas

Kale's POV 

JMC Studios in real life? 

Yeah... no. Nothing could have prepared me for this place. It wasn’t just big. It was crazy big. The walls were made of glass, there was gold stuff everywhere, and the lights were soft and warm in a way that made everything look rich, even the chairs. 

“Okay,” I whispered to myself. “Act normal. You belong here.” 

I didn’t believe that for one second. 

“Welcome to JMC Studios. How can I help you?” 

The lady at the front desk smiled at me like she had never had a bad day in her whole life. 

“I’m here for Mr. Jace,” I said, and I gave her the biggest smile I could, probably showing all my teeth like an idiot. “I have a meeting with him.” 

“Of course,” she said, still smiling politely. “He’s busy in a session right now, but you can go inside and wait.” 

She pointed to a big door that was shiny and gold. 

“Okay… thanks,” I said. I walked toward the door, trying really hard to look like I wasn’t about to pass out from nerves. The second I opened it, sound hit me. It was loud, clean, and powerful.

Inside the studio, people were working hard. Their heads were down, focused on the console. The big soundboard in front of them was lit up with so many buttons and lights that it looked like a spaceship, and behind the glass wall of the singing booth, a girl was singing, and damn, she was good.

I leaned against the wall and watched. Listened. Then my eyes moved across the room and landed on him. Jace Monroe.

He had headphones on, and he was wearing a sleeveless top, so his arms were out. He looked focused and calm and totally in control. God... I swallowed hard. 

The song ended, and everyone in the room started clapping. I clapped too without even thinking about it, and yeah... that made everyone turn and look at me. 

Nice one, Kale... Real smooth. Jace turned around. His eyes found mine right away, like he knew I was there the whole time. 

“Oh, Kale,” he said, as he stood up from his chair. "You’re here.” 

He walked over to me and gave me that handshake that guys do... firm and quick, followed by that side-hug thing that’s supposed to be casual and normal. Except it wasn’t normal to me. If he knew what I was thinking right now, security would throw me out in two seconds. 

“This is Kale,” Jace said, turning a little so the room could hear him. “He’s a contestant from CGT. He’s good. Make him feel welcome.” 

“Welcome,” a few people said back. 

"Thanks,” I said, and I sat down in a chair before my legs forgot how to hold me up. The session dragged on. I didn't fully catch what they said about beats and EQ, but I didn't care. I wasn’t really paying attention to the music. Not really, because every few seconds, my eyes went back to him. 

I didn’t even notice how much time had passed. One by one, people started leaving the studio. The voices got quiet. The lights went a little dim until it was just me and him.

He was still working, so completely focused that he had forgotten I was even there. I didn’t say anything. I didn’t want to interrupt him. I just watched. 

Finally, he leaned back in his chair and stretched a little, then he turned around and froze when he saw me. “Oh—shit,” he said, running a hand through his hair. “You’re still here.” 

I raised an eyebrow at him. “Wow... I feel so valued right now.” 

He let out a quiet laugh. “I got carried away with work. Sorry.” 

“It’s fine,” I said. 

He walked over to a small fridge in the corner, pulled out a bottle of water, grabbed two glasses, and came back. He set one glass down next to me.

“Sorry for keeping you this long,” he said. There was something about his eyes and how he looked at me.

“You already said that,” I told him. 

“And I meant it,” he said. 

I shrugged. “I didn’t have anything better to do anyway.” 

That was a lie. I had homework. I had sleep to catch up on. I had my sanity to keep, but I ignored all of it. 

He sat down across from me, then he dropped the glass, folded his arms, and settled into his chair. “So what are your expectations from CGT?” he asked me. 

“To win,” I said without thinking. 

He laughed so hard that I didn't know when I joined him. Then he stopped laughing, just like that. His face got serious again. “You’re cute,” he said. 

My brain completely paused. Like it shut down. 

“I mean...” he added quickly, “you’ve got a good voice.” 

Too late... The damage was already done. Heat rushed to my face so fast. Did he just... No. No way. 

I cleared my throat. “I like your productions,” I said really fast, trying to change the subject. “They’re… good.” 

He watched me for a second longer than he needed to. “I want to work with you. Help you win.” 

My fingers tightened around the glass of water I was holding. “Okay,” I said. “Do I have to pay?” I asked. “Because I should warn you, I’m broke.” 

That made him smirk a little. “Relax,” he said. “We’ll figure something out.” 

Something about the way he said it felt… too easy. I narrowed my eyes at him a little. “That sounds suspicious.” 

He leaned back in his chair. “It’s business,” he said. “Nothing else.” 

“Fine,” I said. “I’ll work with you.” 

There was a beat of silence. 

“Deal," he said as he stood up and walked closer to me again, then he stopped close to where I sat. “You’re going to need to trust me,” he said quietly. 

My heart skipped. “I don’t even know you,” I replied.

His lips curved up just a little. Like a small smile. “You will.” 

He then sat beside me, his shoulder brushing against mine. The heat of his skin sank into my shirt, the scent of roses hit my nose and that made my dick twitch. Why the fuck did that happen?