Chart Toppers (Star Maker Book 3) Read online

  He couldn’t contain his enthusiasm. “Kit, you have to meet her.”

  She frowned. “Who is this again?”

  “Her name is Tabitha Kiernan. She has a great reputation on the Strip. One of her bands is starting to blow up. I want to bring her on with her band.”

  Kit shuffled papers on her desk, looking for a sheet of information she needed and only half listened. She did take enough notice to be skeptical of Spencer’s last statement. “Who is the band?”

  “She’s got two. Sweet Justice and Blood Brother. She had another band named The Axe Grinders, but she dropped them a few months back.”

  “Smart girl. I heard about that fiasco. That band is blackballed in the industry right now. So, which band is blowing up?”

  “Blood Brother.”

  Kit shook her head and continued her search, losing interest in Spencer’s ramblings. “Never heard of ‘em.”

  “They’re headlining on the Strip, selling out shows, doing showcases. I think we should strike while the iron is hot.”

  Frustrated, Kit finally stopped what she was doing and huffed. “Spencer, why are you asking me this? You’re the CEO. You make the call.”

  “Kit, like I said, I want you to meet her.”

  She smiled and waved to Bryan as he popped his head in. He mouthed hello, and she nodded, pointing to the phone. She realized she had left Spencer hanging and quickly recalled his words. She flatly retorted, “If you’re so uncertain, don’t sign her.”

  “No, Kit, I want you to meet her because she reminds me of you back in the day. That fire, that drive. Seriously, you have to meet her. Come out tonight.”

  Kit laughed and thought now he was being ridiculous. “You’re funny, Spence. I’m in a session tonight.”

  “C’mon, you can wrap up a sesh and make it down the hill in time. You’re the fucking producer. I’ll send a limo for you.”

  She rolled her eyes. “I don’t want to go solo and I can’t bring Sully with me. He’ll get mobbed.”

  “You won’t. I’ll be with you.”

  She could feel herself starting to cave in. She couldn’t deny the intrigue of a new possibility. “What time do they go on?”

  “Midnight.”

  She let out a long breath and thought she would be cutting it close, but threw caution to the wind. “Shit… ok. But Spence, if you like this girl because you’re fucking her or want to, I’m going to be really pissed.”

  He laughed loudly on the other end of the phone. “I can assure you that my relationship with her is strictly platonic and professional. She is hot, but that’s beside the point. I don’t shit where I eat, unlike someone I know. Don’t you go accusing me. It’s like the pot calling the kettle black, sis.”

  She giggled. “Touché, little brother. You are a hard-driving scoundrel aren’t you?”

  He chuckled and retorted sarcastically. “Finally figured that out did ya?”

  “Smart ass.”

  “Better than being a dumb ass.”

  “True.”

  “Ok. I’m picking up your badass at eleven-thirty. Be ready.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Whatever. And how do you know about the badass thing? Did you see the cover?”

  “What cover?”

  She frowned. “The cover of Platinum Magazine that I’m on.”

  Spencer chuckled. “You made the cover of Platinum? Classic. Since when?”

  “It hasn’t hit the stands yet, but since you called me a badass I thought you had seen it. They refer to me as a badass on the cover.”

  “Right. You’re yankin’ me.”

  She grinned. “I am not. I’ll show it to you tonight when you come by. I gotta go. I’m late for my sesh. See you tonight.”

  Kit hung up and bolted out to the studio where the band was running through one of their new songs. She was relieved they were self-disciplined at this point in the game. They were now getting into a groove, and things were flowing much more smoothly than they were at the beginning. She didn’t recognize the song and waited until they were done.

  She got on the mic. “Hey, guys. Sorry, I’m late. What were you playing?”

  Sully spoke into the mic in front of him. “Against the World.”

  Kit frowned. “What? That’s not on the sheet for today. Is this like that bullshit of you changing set lists on tour at the last minute?”

  The band howled with laughter as Sully scowled at all of them, shaking his head in annoyance. Jimmy chuckled and jumped in. “Kit, I convinced Sully we should play it for you. It would be great to include it. I think it’s a strong song.”

  She raised her eyebrows. “Ok. That would take us to lucky thirteen for the album. That’s fine. Are you guys rehearsed with it?” They all nodded. “Ok then, we’ll track it and see. Fred, start her up.” She looked at the guys and pointed.

  Upon hearing the first few notes of the song, she liked it. Then she listened the to the lyrics. She watched Sully intently, tilting her head to the side. The words reminded her of the beginnings of their relationship, and it all clicked. Her father’s lack of approval of their pairing had served as inspiration and she was happy to see that he had channeled it positively into a song that could potentially soothe others in the same situation. She grinned and winked at him, nodding her head. He picked up on the non-verbal cue and smiled wide, mouthing “I love you.”

  The song ended and before they could ask Kit what she thought, she hopped on the mic. “Guys take five; we need a minute to regroup and figure out the best way to track it. Hang tight.”

  Sully returned to the control room and hugged her tightly. “Wrote that one for us way back when.”

  She giggled and gave him a quick kiss. “It’s brilliant and still stands the test of time. Let’s make sure to do it some proper justice.”

  A few hours had passed working with Remo and Tony on the song. She felt like she was starting to lose her mind. She looked at Fred. “Is it just me? Am I communicating properly?”

  He chuckled. “You are. Let’s set up a click track. Hopefully, that will do the trick, and we’ll be able to get it.”

  “What take are we on for them?”

  “Twelve.”

  Kit rolled her eyes and made a sour face. “Yeah, that’s a good solution.” A few moments later she got on the mic. “Remo and Tony, play to the click. Got it?”

  Remo stood up from behind his drums and shook his head. He threw off the headphones and made his way to the control room. She exchanged a look with Fred. “Oh God, here it comes.”

  She stood up and folded her arms in front of her chest as Remo approached. “Why are you clicking me? What the fuck, Kit? Don’t put me on a click, c’mon! That’s the ultimate insult!”

  She stared at him. “We’re on the twelfth take. Do you really think this one is going to stick when it didn’t for all the others? I’m not so convinced. I say click.”

  He shook his head. “I say no click. One more shot, Kit.”

  She held her finger up. “One and one only. You don’t get it right on this take, and we’re putting you on a click.”

  He growled. “Fine, whatever.” He stormed out of the control room and re-entered the live room where he got down to business.

  After successfully getting the rhythm section laid down, she let the band leave for the night except for Sully, who would be working on vocals. They all took a quick break before starting and when Kit returned to the studio; she was dressed to go out.

  Sully sat in the live room and looked at her curiously. He leaned forward and spoke into the mic. “Are you going out tonight without me?”

  She answered him from the control room. “Yes. I figured it would be best to get ready ahead of time because our session may run all the way up until I have to leave.”

  Sully frowned and then decided to joke with her. “Where are you going? Do you have a hot date?”

  She chuckled. “I wish, with you.” She shook her head. “Spence wants me to meet some new manager girl that he’
s thinking about hiring. I have to go see her band at the Whisky. You’re welcome to join me. I didn’t think you’d want to.”

  He chuckled. “You’d be right. Let’s get going.”

  Kit and Sully worked for two hours straight through before she called him into the control room. She was beaming as she grinned from ear to ear. “I think you’re going to love this. Your vocals sound amazing! Fred, playback, please.”

  Sully sat on the back sofa, and Kit took a seat next to him. He looked over at her halfway through the song and smiled. He nodded in agreement. He was thoroughly pleased. When the song ended, he leaned over and kissed her. “I like it.”

  She grinned. “Me too. I want to layer some more vocal tracks in the chorus to make it richer, but we can do that later. I’ve already made notes for it. For the most part, the song’s pretty close to finished.” She glanced at her wristwatch. “Oh shit, and on that note…” before she could finish her sentence, the phone in the studio started ringing and Fred had grabbed it.

  He turned to Kit. “Your brother is here and he said to get your ass up there, so you’re not late.”

  She nodded. She leaned over and gave Sully a quick kiss on the lips. “Bye, babe.”

  He grinned. “Have fun.”

  She sprinted out of the studio, across the backyard and into the house where Spencer was standing in the foyer tapping his newly purchased, posh, Franck Muller wristwatch. She giggled, liking how he looked. His transformation from an east coast styled yuppie to a Hollywood music dealmaker was complete. He looked like an executive but with a distinctive, trendy, cool edge.

  She grabbed her Chanel handbag and her black stilettos on the way out the door. She scanned him from head to toe. “Did you put this look together?”

  He chuckled. “Why?”

  She giggled. “’Cuz if you did, I’m pretty impressed. Is that Armani?” She fingered his suit. “Spence, are you gay now? Did I miss that memo?”

  He laughed loudly. “No. Someone put this look together for me.”

  She grinned and raised an eyebrow. “Oh really? And is this someone female and is she the manager we’re meeting tonight?”

  He shook his head and grinned. “You’re not gonna let that rest, are you? No, she’s not the one that put this look together, but there is another female that did. She’s a stylist.”

  Kit’s eyes widened as she got into the limo with him and her mouth dropped open. “Oh my God! You’re banging the stylist that I assigned to you when you first decided to get into this biz?”

  He rolled his eyes. “No comment.”

  She threw back her head and let out a long cackle. She looked over and nudged him. “She did good. No wonder you’re so happy these days. You’re getting laid.”

  He gave her a look of warning. He preferred to keep his private life private, even to his sister. He frowned watching her as she touched up her makeup, her lipstick and put her shoes on. He laughed at her and shook his head. “I thought you’d be ready.”

  She stared. “What gave you that crazy idea? You’ve worked in this industry long enough to know time is a relative concept. I was almost ready. I lost track of time in the studio.”

  Spencer nodded. “The driver is going to drop us off on Clark Street as you requested.”

  She grinned. “Trust me, that’s so much better. It’s a good way to keep the attention off of us. If we pull up in front of the venue on Sunset Boulevard, everyone will want to see who’s coming out of the limo. It’s a pain in the ass. It attracts paparazzi. It’s all around bad news.”

  Spencer glanced at her shoes. “Are you going to be able to walk down the hill in those?”

  She chuckled. “Are you kidding? I could run around the block in these. I’m an old pro, Spence. I used to walk up and down the Strip in heels bigger than this promoting Gypsy Tango with flyers for hours. Walking down a little hill in these is nothin’.”

  Kit and Spencer walked side by side down Clark Street and rounded the corner on Sunset at The Whisky A Go Go. She leaned in and lowered her voice discreetly. “What’s this girl’s name again?”

  Annoyed by her sudden memory lapse, he donned a smug look and humored her. “Tabitha.”

  Kit nodded and followed Spencer’s lead as he chatted it up with the bouncers. It had been so long since she had been on the Strip. She was fascinated by it all over again. Mostly all of the faces had changed, except for the management and a bouncer or two who she greeted immediately once they were in the confines of the club.

  Spencer and Kit mingled their way over to where the manager in question, Tabitha, stood. The band she managed, Blood Brother, was setting up.

  Kit studied her from afar wondering how accurate her brother was. Tabitha was a tall, cute brunette with long wavy dark brown hair, big brown eyes, and a fresh-faced glow. She had a big smile that could light up a room and seemed to be charming the pants off the executive she was talking to. Kit recognized him immediately; Paul DeRose was from a local indie label.

  Tabitha was fashionable as well, in her tight, black, suede mini-dress, black suede stiletto boots, and a cropped red blazer. Kit noticed her shift from being pleasant, sweet and charming with the executive to having a stern word with her bass guitarist. She giggled. Maybe Spence was right. Maybe Tabitha was like her.

  Kit tapped Spencer’s shoulder to get his attention, keeping her eyes trained on Tabitha. “How old is she?”

  “Nineteen. She goes to UCLA.”

  Kit laughed. “What? She’s a college student?”

  He nodded. “Yep. She fell into this, and she loves it. She’s been doing it for a few years already. She’s damn good at it too.”

  Kit’s eyes reflected extreme apprehension. “Spence, she’s too young.”

  He shook his head and glared at her. “No, she’s not. Age is just a number, Kit. Meet her and then tell me she’s too young, ok? People thought you were too young too, remember?”

  Kit backed off and remained silent after being put in her place while Spencer waved Tabitha over. She headed in their direction, smiling from ear to ear. She gave Spencer a big hug that made Kit question the intentions of both of them. She dropped it and opted to pay attention.

  Tabitha pulled back and grinned. “Spence, great to see you. Who do you have with you tonight?” She confidently outstretched her hand and flashed a bright smile. “Hi, I’m Tabitha Kiernan.”

  Kit grinned, pleasantly surprised by her strong level of self-assurance. She shook her hand. “Kit McKenna, Tabitha. Nice to meet you.”

  Tabitha nodded at her and for the first time, Kit could see her cool, calm, collected, having it all together exterior start to crack as her eyes widened. “Thee Kit McKenna as in GT fame, CCO of Diamond, CEO of Flat 5 and founder of KMK?”

  She chuckled. This girl was good. She liked her more and more by the minute. She nodded. “That’s me.”

  Tabitha grinned. “It’s an honor, Kit, really. I hope to be half as successful as you one day. I’ve got a long way to go. You’ve paved some great paths for women in the biz. Thanks for doing that.”

  Kit couldn’t wipe the satisfied grin off her face. This girl was charming the pants off of her, and she was eating it up. Now she fully understood her brother’s obsession. She met her eyes. “You’re welcome. I’m sure you will be successful, Tabitha. Spencer tells me you’re quite driven.”

  She shrugged her shoulders, suddenly playing modest. “I guess. I’ve got some great talent I’m managing. It’s easy to push them.” She glanced over and noticed that the band was getting ready to go on. They were waving her over. She turned her attention back to Kit. “My apologies, Kit. I’m going to have to step away for a moment. We’re about to start.” She looked at both of them. “Catch you two after the set?”

  Spencer nodded and grinned as she walked away. Before Spencer could even look at Kit or say a word, she leaned over to him, still watching Tabitha from afar. “Hire her and her band too. I haven’t heard them yet, but my gut tells me that she’s got a kill
er instinct like…”

  He chuckled. “Just like you. Uh-huh. See, I told you.”

  She nodded. “You were right on the mark, little brother. Bull’s-eye.”

  CHAPTER 11

  Kit struggled to keep her eyes open as she sat at her desk the next morning. She had ended up going out for drinks with Spencer, Tabitha and her band, Blood Brother, at the Rainbow, then to a party afterward. She didn’t get home until four and had a seven o’clock conference call with Diamond that lasted three hours. She had just finished the call and felt like her eyes were about to close. She set her head down for a moment fully relishing the invitation into the luxurious haven of sleep, only to hear Giselle’s accented voice seconds later.

  She placed a fresh cup of coffee in front of Kit and slapped down a padded envelope. “Wake up, pookie. You’ll want to see this one. Time for round two.”

  Kit reluctantly lifted her head and glared at Giselle. “Do you have any idea how many shots I had last night? Don’t talk so fucking loud or slap things down on my desk like that.”

  Giselle grinned, playing with Kit. “Not my problem, amiga. Maybe you shouldn’t have drunk so much.”

  She glared again and took a sip of her coffee, playing back. “Stop throwing in fucking Portuguese words I don’t understand when I’m this hungover, Miss Brazilian Sassy-pants. You’re so fired.”

  Giselle giggled. “Right. You can’t live without me, and we both know that.” She put both of her hands on the front of her desk and hovered. Her big hazel eyes met Kit’s bloodshot green ones. “And, by the way, amiga means girlfriend, silly bird.” She pushed the padded envelope toward her.

  Kit frowned and stared at it, wondering what was so important in the padded Fed-Ex envelope. She looked at the return address, and instant recognition had her pushing it away with one finger. “Oh no. I’m so not ready for this now. Are you kidding me? This early?”

  Giselle stared at her. “C’mon, Kit. It’s not that early anymore.”

  She shook her head vehemently. “No. Not until Sully’s up.”