Miles of Pleasure

chapter 23




Outside of the hotel, Kaylee sat in the limo waiting for the guys so that they could leave to pick Janis up. They had been signing autographs for at least fifteen minutes now, and she was getting antsy. She understood that they had an obligation to the fans, but sitting in a limo all alone tends to get boring when there is nothing to keep a person occupied.

Kaylee put her hand on the door handle, getting ready to go outside and see what was taking the guys so long, only to have the door yanked out of her grasp. Ashton was on the other side, followed by Noah, Colton, and Jayden. "Let us in before they attack!" he shouted playfully, diving into the limo.

Noah got into the limo, nearly stepping on Ashton's hand on the way in. "Would you move so the rest of us can get in?" he snapped at Ashton.

"Well, excuse me!" Ashton said, offended. He reached up and grabbed Kaylee's hand and pulled her to the other seat with him. Once they were both out of the way, the other two guys got in and they headed off to pick up Janis.

"You look a little pale Noah. You okay man?" Ashton teased.

Kaylee smacked him in the chest. "Leave him alone. This is the first girl he's been interested in since Brittany."

"Ugh! Please don't mention her name. I want to have a nice night, and thinking about her will just ruin it," Noah groaned.

The limo soon came to a stop. Noah wiped his sweaty palms on his jeans and took a deep breath before opening the door of the limo and heading out to get Janis.

While they were waiting, Ashton decided to break the silence. "So we were talking earlier, and we've made a decision," he said to Kaylee. The other guys watched intently.

"Oh yeah, what's that?" she asked, not really paying attention, as she tried to see out the window to look for Noah and Janis. She worried about her big brother and hoped that he would have a good time with this new love interest.

"Well, we want you to officially join the group, and be with us for more songs than just 'Helpless'. Noah has figured out a way to work you in on each song, and it all makes perfect sense. We all think that you'll be able to add something that we've been missing." He paused. "I mean, yeah we were popular before, but if we kept going the way we were, we probably would have stayed semi-famous, but we never would have joined the ranks of the major bands out there. You'll be adding something that we feel could bring us up to that next level. So, what do you say?"

Needless to say, Ashton had her full attention now. "I say that you guys are insane!" she told him, giving them all looks of disbelief. As she was talking, Noah and Janis got into the vehicle, Janis sitting next to Kaylee, and Noah sitting on the other seat next to Colton.

"I mean, first of all, I barely even know how to play the guitar, and second, my voice is shit. It's embarrassing enough that my voice will be on the album in 'Helpless', but now you want me join in other songs too? Why are you doing this? Is it out of pity?"

"Pity?" Noah asked. "Come on. You know us better than that. We truly believe that you belong with us on that stage. You really added something to 'Helpless', and we think you could add something to all of our other songs too," he told her. "Besides, you'll have me working with you on guitar. Who better to teach you?"

"I don't know guys," she hesitated. If she was honest with herself, she would have admitted that she got a rush when she was on stage with the guys, and she would love to be up there playing with them for more than just one song.

"I know I'm not a part of the group or anything, but as an outside observer who knows music, I have to agree with the guys," Janis told her, then turned to the guys. "I've always liked your music, but it was something different when you guys played in our studio. It sounded more complete, more refined. I think that Kaylee would make an excellent addition."

"See, it's settled then," Colton said. He didn't want to fight over this.

"No, it's really not. I don't think you guys are thinking clearly here." Kaylee protested.

"Fine, we'll put it to a vote tonight at the karaoke bar. You against me. If the crowd votes for you, then you'll join the band full time. If the crowd votes for me, then you'll just have to be with us during 'Helpless'. We'll do three songs each. You pick two for me, I'll pick two for you. Then we'll pick one for ourselves," Ashton told her in a stroke of brilliance. "But, we have to be satisfied with whatever the audience decides."

Kaylee pondered this for a moment. Surely no one would pick her over Ashton, so what harm would there be? "Fine, but we have to go by how the audience votes. If you win, you need to stop pestering me about being in the group."

"Done," he said, and held out his right hand.

"I'd rather seal the deal with a kiss," Kaylee said with a smirk, and grabbed the front of his shirt, pulling him closer to her.

"I like the way you think," he told her, before pressing his lips to hers.

The guys all groaned, getting annoyed with all of their public displays of affection, but Janis just smiled. She looked over at Noah and winked at him, loving the blush that spread across his face when they made eye contact.

Soon after, they arrived at a small karaoke club. From the outside, the building looked old and dirty but once you got inside, it was amazingly clean and modern. The stage was large and had a few microphones already set up, with a teleprompter to show the words for the songs.

On the opposite end was a long bar, lined with barstools and patrons waiting on their drinks. From what they could see, the bar was shined to perfection, and the bartenders working like well-oiled machines. In the middle of the room, tables were scattered everywhere, most of them full already. There was also a small sitting area off to the side, with a few leather couches and coffee tables.

The guys saw a couple of tables available next to each other, to the right of the stage, and made a bee line for them. They pushed the tables together, making room for everyone to sit. A waiter circulated the room, and finally made it over to them to take their order. Once he left, Kaylee lightly grabbed Janis's arm.

"Hey, can I get your help for a minute?" she asked Janis. Janis nodded, and they both got up from the table. "I need some help picking out Ashton's songs, and since you know music so well, I was hoping you could help me out."

She smiled. "No problem. I figured you'd ask me, so I was already thinking about it. I was thinking about your song that you get to pick out too. Do you want to win or lose?"

Kaylee thought for a minute. "Lose," she lied. "I just don't think I would be any good for them."

"Well, I think you're wrong, but here's what we're going to do. I was thinking that you should sing a song that is so difficult that even some of the professionals have trouble singing it. You know, one of the songs where the original artist sounds so good on the song that no one could ever rival the way that they sound," Janis explained.

"That sounds perfect. What did you have in mind?" Kaylee asked, flipping through the list of songs that the karaoke deejay offered.

Janis took the book and flipped to the front. "That one right there," she pointed.

"Wow, you're really trying to make me look bad!" Kaylee laughed. "Okay, and what about for Ashton?"

"Well, we want to make him sound really good. I think this song right here would be perfect for the first one." She pointed to another song.

"What about this one right here...it's one of my favorites." Kaylee pointed out another one.

"Perfect. Now give the list of songs to the guy and let's go get our drinks," Janis said, giving a song of her own to the deejay.

Back at the table, Ashton was writing fast, hoping to finish his list before Kaylee got back. Just as he finished writing the last song, she walked up and put her hand on his shoulder. He jumped from being startled, and quickly covered his list. He smiled at her sweetly as he stood up and went to hand in his list.

Kaylee saw that a round of shots had been lined up in the center of the table, as well as their regular drinks. She took her glass of "Sex on the Beach" and slammed it, then grabbed her shot and took it with ease. As the liquid went down her throat, it also melted some of her nervousness.

Moments later, Kaylee saw Ashton get up on stage and grab one of the microphones. "Good evening everyone. My name is Ashton and I am a member of the band Miles of Pleasure. We have a favor to ask of you tonight. My girlfriend and I have a little bet going on, where we are going to sing three songs each, and we need for you to judge whom you like better. We've picked two songs for the other person, one for ourselves. The waiters will be handing out slips of paper, so if you could just write down which one you liked better after we are all done, and drop it off at our table, we'd appreciate it. For everyone who votes, you'll get a free drink from us." The crowd roared in applause at the last comment, loving the extra incentive to participate in the bet.

"So, without further ado, please welcome Kaylee Miles to the stage, singing 'Spider Webs' by No Doubt."

The crowd applauded as Kaylee stood up and went to the stage. She was happy that Ashton had at least picked a song that she knew and liked. The music started, and Kaylee got right into it.

You think that we connect

That the chemistry's correct

Your words walk right through my ears

Presuming I like what I hear

And now I'm stuck in the web

You're spinning

You've got me for your prey...

She started jumping up and down as she sang, really getting the crowd into it.

Kaylee ended the song to a round of applause, causing her to blush. She tried to catch her breath before she announced Ashton's song. "Thanks. Now please give it up for Ashton singing 'Are You Gonna Be My Girl' by Jet," she shouted, a little breathless still.

Ashton came up to the stage and winked at her as she went down the back stairs and grabbed the bottle of water that Jayden had waiting for her. "Ashton told me you'd need this," he said. "You were great!"

Kaylee shook her head and downed the water. Ashton was right, she did need that. She made her way back to their table, where she had a clear view of Ashton up on stage, getting ready to sing. He looked so calm and collected, it made her a little envious since she was so nervous on stage.

Let's Go!!

So 1, 2, 3, take my hand and come with me

Because you look so fine

And I really wanna make you mine

I say you look so fine

That I really wanna make you mine.

The crowd seemed equally impressed with Ashton as they were with Kaylee. He could see everyone leaning over and talking to their friends, most likely discussing who they liked better so far.

The next song that Ashton had picked for Kaylee was 'Heartbreaker' by Pat Benetar, and she went up and sang it like a total rock star! When she announced that Ashton would sing a Matchbox 20 song next, he couldn't help but smile. He knew that Janis had picked out his first song, but 'Bent' by Matchbox 20 was all Kaylee. He knew she had a little obsession with that band, so it was no surprise that he was singing one of their songs. He was also glad that she had chosen one that gave him a rest period. His first song required a lot of energy, and he knew that his last song would need some energy too, so he needed a break in between.

He sat at the table and waited for Kaylee to start her last song, the one she had picked for herself.

When the first few notes played, Ashton thought his eyes were going to pop out of his head. He couldn't believe she would try such a risky song.

Spend all your time waiting

For that second chance

For a break that would make it okay

There's always some reason

To feel not good enough

And it's hard at the end of the day

I need some distraction

In the arms of the angel

Fly away from here

From this dark cold hotel room

And the endlessness that you feel

You are pulled from the wreckage

Of your silent reverie

You're in the arms of the angel

May you find some comfort here

You're in the arms of the angel

May you find some comfort here

He couldn't believe it! He sat in awe... she had just pulled it off. The song was flawless.

Kaylee was surprised too, to say the least. Even in her own ears, that song didn't sound too bad. The applause she received shook her out of her thoughts, and sent her down to the table, into the waiting arms of Ashton.

"You know, you just made it nearly impossible for me to win," he whispered in her ear, as he held her in a tight embrace.

Kaylee shook her head and lightly pushed him away. "Knock 'em dead!" she said, pointing to the stage.

Ashton got up and sang his favorite Lenny Kravitz song, 'Are You Gonna Go My Way'. He used up the last of his energy, just having fun, since there was no way he could win the contest now...not that he really wanted to in the first place, but he didn't think it would be such a blowout.

After he was done, he went to the table, where people were coming to drop off their votes left and right. Each person who dropped off a vote got their wooden nickel for their free drink. Jayden and Colton tallied the votes, while Ashton and Kaylee tried to get their energy back, and Noah and Janis sat talking.

"Wow, I didn't think it would be this close," Jayden told the table, a sad look on his face. "You're not going to believe this, but Ashton won by three votes." He looked around the table nervously.

None of the guys knew what to say. Even Kaylee looked a little upset by the results. "Wait, I didn't vote," Ashton said. "I vote for Kaylee. 'Angel' blew me away. I couldn't compete with that."

"I agree," Noah said. "Sorry man, but she did kill that song. My vote is for Kaylee too."

Jayden wrote their two votes down and added one for himself. "Kaylee gets my vote too."

"Me too," Colton said, telling Jayden to write in another vote for her.

"Girl, you won it hands down," Janis said, adding another vote for Kaylee.

"Well, looks like you are the newest member of Miles of Pleasure, sweetheart," Ashton told her, kissing her temple as he put his arm around her.