Wheels of Steel, Book 2 (45 page)

The best thing is that they would get to meet Akita Tom for the first time, via webcam, but still actually meet someone that was doing exactly what Peter and Jason wanted to do. Peter warned the followers not to say anything creepy, like being his biggest fans or exclaiming their love for him. Robin shrugged inwardly, just happy to be included in the adventure. She wasn’t starstruck by Akita Tom as the others were. She was more overwhelmed at the show of wealth that it took to have a private studio set up as loaner to a group of college students.

Belinda acted comfortable and enthusiastic, as if she hadn’t just had a long conversation with Robin about being pregnant and making plans to abort. Amberly was smiling and jittery and her energy was almost irritating as she kept moving and talking. Jason was big-eyed like a kid in a candy shop. He was the most likely to say something crazy. And Peter was confident and poised, prepared to be the voice of the two.

They were introduced to a young black man that would serve as their technical advisor on the use of the equipment. He also indicated that he could help them mix but the resulting quiet was enough to let him know that his talents in that department would not be needed.

Robin settled on the couch with Amberly and Belinda while Mr. Edelson, Link and Peter sat at a round conference table that had a satellite phone positioned in the center. A camera was set up before them right beside a flat screen television and the techie; whose name was Jay, stood at the ready to begin the feed.

Mr. Edelson’s calm demeanor put the boys at ease, but Robin could plainly see that Jason was nervous. His freckles stood out as a dark contrast on his paler than usual skin. At least his hair was tamed since Robin had pulled it back into a ponytail earlier. Peter was so calm that if not for the constant drumming of his fingers against the hand rest of his wheelchair, no one would have been able to tell that he was nervous.

The phone rang and Mr. Edelson answered by speaker.

“Tom?”

“Yes, I’m here. Can you hear me clearly in Cincinnati?” Akita Tom’s friendly voice asked in a joking manner.

“Loud and clear.” Peter responded. Everyone smiled and seemed to relax.

“Yes, are you ready for the web feed, then?” Mr. Edelson asked.

“I am. Don’t laugh. It’s just after 6 am here and I’m still in jammies.”

The girl’s smiles broadened. Robin knew that she would like this man. Jay began the feed and the 32 inch plasma screen came to life. After a short moment where just a blue screen was visible, Akita Tom’s face appeared. He was surprisingly normal. He was a thirty-something white man, thin and nerdy in a youthful Bill Gates sort of way. He was indeed wearing a silk robe over a jersey. His short dark hair was a bit unruly and he hadn’t yet shaved. But his smile was broad and his eyes clear.

“An entourage!” He commented and every one chuckled. “Is this the entire Wheels of Steel group?”

“Yes.” Peter gestured to make introductions but Akita Tom interrupted. “Wait, who is Tramp Stamp?” Amberly’s hand shot up faster than anyone had ever seen her move before. She had never lay claim to that name with more enthusiasm then she had at that moment.

“That’s me! I’m Tramp Stamp!” She said while standing and waving.

“And how such a name ever got stuck on such a pretty girl is a mystery.” He said. She blushed and sat back down. “And who is Patty?”

Belinda came to her feet grinning and nibbling on her lower lip nervously.

“Damn, no one said that you had a member of your band that looked like the singer Pink. Jesus…” Belinda blushed and shook her head in denial. “You know that us nerdy guys really go for the tough girls that don’t take any shit.”

“That’s about right.” Peter confirmed while Jason shook his head in agreement.

“And who is the other lovely lady there?” Robin felt hot and cold chills course through her body. Jason smiled proudly.

“That’s my girlfriend.”

“Are you serious? You guys already got it like that? Why the hell do you need to break into the music biz? When I was your age I aspired to be just where you are now; girls in my band and a gorgeous girlfriend.” His tone was only partially kidding. Everyone could tell that he wasn’t shining them on, he really admired them for what they had already achieved. Peter took on a very thoughtful look.

“It’s good, Mr. Tom. But we’re hungry for more.”

“Just Tom, or Akita. I hear you. Look, you guys don’t know this but I’m a pretty big fan of your music. I’ve been following you for a while.” Jason and Peter exchanged surprised looks. “Anyone with a studio can create mixes, reproduce songs, but you have taken it to a different level. You’ve already achieved a cult status outside of the states and…most likely within the states. They really like you here in Japan. I’m going to get you feeds to International YouTube so you can see what I’m talking about.”

Jason’s heart was thudding in his chest. He knew that they were good…better than good, even. But he had no idea that they had a following like what Akita Tom was hinting at. Everyone sat there in quiet amazement as Akita Tom continued speaking.

“My music has a very big Asian influence…which is something that I’m very much in to. But your music is very…hard. Your use of hiphop, soul and R&B is something that I just can’t get the knack of. It’s what people want to hear. I want to merge our sounds and see what we come up with.”

“That sounds great…Tom.” Peter said while enthusiastically nodding his head. “Top and I have been messing around with a lot of things.”

“I want to hear it. I’m anxious to mess around with beats.” He paused. “Top? You have cerebral palsy? How does it impact your music?”

Everyone got quiet as Jason thought about the question. “It impacts it in both a positive and a negative way. Because of CP I found a life within music before I ever knew how to be social.” Akita smiled gently. “But because of CP I don’t have the muscle control necessary to be a musician that can play piano or guitar. But I found control within the studio…I can make it do what I need it to do. Making music this way…gave me a life.” He blushed but Akita Tom gave him an encouraging nod of his head.

“I was…a painfully shy boy. I made music for my own pleasure at first, and it was my only friend for a long time. But when people became enthusiastic about it, I learned that my music could be felt by others in just the same way that I felt it. So, music made my life. Peter, I read about your accident. And I’m very sorry about your paralysis.” Akita Tom took a deep breath. “Do you think that you would have become a mixer of music had it not been for your accident?”

Peter shook his head. “I didn’t really have any drive or direction. And it got worse after I lost the use of my legs. But then Jason taught me about making beats and um…” Peter cleared his throat and seemed to become a bit emotional as he looked down at the table. “…the world opened up to me in a different way. It was something that I could control. And…yeah.”

“Well…I think that we are all on the same page. Music is not just a means to make money or garner fame—though it can definitely lead to that. But it is our life’s blood. Do you agree?” The boys nodded. Akita clapped his hands once. “Grand! You boys get into that studio and learn how to use it and we’ll get started tomorrow! For now, I’m going to have breakfast and a cup of coffee. We’ll meet back here same time tomorrow, is that fine?”

Jason and Top agreed. They would head here directly after school each day. Once the video feed ended everyone began talking excitedly. Jay and Mr. Edelson showed them into the studio with the musical equipment allowing them to play around with it as they learned how to use it correctly. Not very surprisingly they picked it up very quickly and were already making new beats inside of an hour! The girls soon became bored and decided to pick up dinner for everyone.

“The boy’s are going to be so popular.” Amberly exclaimed as they climbed into her car so that she could drive them to a deli that served great double decker sandwiches.

“Akita Tom was so cool!” Robin said.

“God, he was flirting with me!” Belinda said. “Do you guys really think that I look like Pink?” She began finger brushing back her short hair.

“Not…really.” Amberly said. “But you do look tough. But in a feminine way!” She added quickly.

“I can see why he thinks you look like Pink.” Robin said honestly.

“You and Peter riding home together tonight?” Amberly asked. Belinda seemed to slink in her seat slightly.

“Yes.”

Robin glanced at her. Didn’t she just say that she didn’t want to just be Peter’s booty-call? Well maybe it was good that they were going home together. Maybe she would tell him about the pregnancy. Robin sure didn’t want to be the one to do it, but she wouldn’t be a part of doing something like that behind Peter’s back. He was her friend, too. She was betting that Belinda would not go through with the abortion.

Amberly and Robin had a disagreement in the restaurant. Amberly wanted to order Jason a double decker bacon and turkey on toast but Robin took one look at the size of the sandwiches and knew that he would just create a huge mess in the studio and wanted to order him a simple ham sandwich with American cheese.

“I know Top likes turkey clubs.” Amberly said, not letting it go even though Robin had already ordered what she wanted him to have.

“It’s not a turkey club, Amberly. It’s a double decker. Big difference.” Robin said trying to hide her annoyance.

“Well I’ll just order one each for me, Mr. Edelson and that guy Jay and if Jason wants one of theirs then they can switch with him.” Robin ignored her and Belinda stared at her, quietly willing her to shut up.

When they returned to the studio, Amberly practically broke her neck to pass out the turkey and bacon double deckers, exclaiming how great they looked. When Jason reached for one Amberly snatched it from him.

“You got ham and cheese.”

Robin sat down in his lap and unwrapped his sandwich. “Here babe. Are you hungry?”

“Starving. Are there chips?”

“Yep.” He accepted the sandwich and took a big bite. She nibbled on her own ham and cheese. Jason pointed out some of the features of the bigger equipment as he chewed. He didn’t seem at all interested in what he was eating, only that he was eating something.

Amberly sat in the corner and for once she was very quiet.

The guys could have stayed in the studio all night but after a while the girls got tired. Peter and Belinda left together, and back at the apartment Jason climbed into bed naked with his dick pointing straight into the air.

Robin ignored it and climbed into bed wearing athletic shorts and a t-shirt. She snuggled against him and closed her eyes.

“Um…how long does a period last?”

She opened her tired eyes and looked at him. “About a week.”

“Damn, a whole week?”

“Give or take.”

“Oh. Well…” He began kissing her neck and rubbing her breast. “We don’t have to wait...”

She pushed his hand away. “Jason…I don’t think so.”

He sighed. “Robin I don’t really care about that kind of stuff. Remember the first time? I wasn’t squeamish about blood.”

“Yeah…but I am. I don’t really want to.”

He tried to mask his disappointment. After a moment he hesitantly spoke again. “You could…give me a blowjob.”

She gave him a tired look. “I’m not in the mood babe. I’m tired and I feel kind of crampy.”

“Aww. Poor baby.” He reached down and began to gently rub her belly. Robin sighed in contentment. But then his hand began to creep between her legs.

“Jason!”

“I’m sorry, I’m just horny.”

With a sigh, Robin tiredly reached for his dick and began to stroke it firmly. Jason’s body quickly tensed and he shuddered in pleasure. She pressed her face against his chest and found his nipple with her tongue. She drew it sharply into her mouth and Jason cried out. He pumped into her fist and came an instant later.

As he spurted all over the sheets, Robin thought tiredly that it would be her that had to get up and clean it.

***

The next day was Thursday. Jason’s project was poorly put together and he knew that he would barely escape a failing grade on it. But his mind had been preoccupied on Akita Tom. He had exams in a week that he hadn’t even begun to study for. And on top of that Robin seemed annoyed that he had dared to ask for a blowjob. What was the big deal? He didn’t care about her period and if she was horny he wouldn’t let her just go around wanting it!