That Thing You Do! (Multiband Fan Fic)

Chapter 34 - Band Meeting

Katie's P.O.V

I sat at the table, sitting back in my chair, my left arm crossed over my chest, my right hand, propped up on it, just in front of my face. I was sat on an angle, so I was leaning towards Eddie, who was on my right.
It was casual wear, so I opted for my red and black striped jeans, black Slash tee, one black converse, the other white, my red and black striped arm warmers, and my red bowler hat.
We didn't dare speak. Not really having anything to say.
Stevie was with us, but over at the piano. Dylan and Todd were on their way.

Dylan stayed over at Vikki's last night, taking the van with him, so I rung my brother Aaron to give us a ride, as Stevie had been smoking last night. He treats it like alcohol, wanting it fully out his system before he takes the wheel. I don't do drugs, but I understand what he's saying.

"Do you think- ... never mind." Eddie waved it off, leaning on the table.
I stayed silent.
Kirk was so happy for me, it was amazing. He told me, last night, that he's been looking at collage courses, within the music scene. I haven't seen so much of him lately, 'cause of my band. I feel really bad, but I'm making serious progress... and I know I have his full support.

"Hey!" We heard Stevie call out.
We both looked over and saw Todd and Dylan walk into the upstairs area.
"Dyl-man! Over here!" I called him over, with a wave.
We were sat at the same table we were at when Janie's Gun got her name. It was meant to be... Peter booked the table!
Stevie caught up to the two and they made their way over to the table. It only sat six people this time.
Dylan sat on my left, Todd opposite Eddie, and Stevie opposite me.
"It's just gone 07:00 now." Dylan checked his watch.
"What do we say?" I asked him.
"Nothing! He wants to talk to us. Remember, all of us, or none of us! This is our band! Our rules!" Dylan warned the table.
We all nodded and we waited.

. . .

The waiter took our drink orders and brought them all to us. All fizzy drinks, as we couldn't get alcohol here. They knew me.
The boys all got cola, and I got a tropical juice. Eddie had a taste, as it arrived, and order one for himself. Peter was paying, after all.
Once that drink arrived, I saw him.
"Boys." I nodded to the door.

Peter was led over to us, by a waiter, smiling apologetically. He's six minutes late, but we weren't really counting.

"So sorry for being late! Comes with the business. Have you all ordered?" Peter sat down.
"Only drinks." Dylan replied, as he grabbed his and took a sip.
"No alcohol." Peter looked at our drink glasses. "How old are you all?"
"Youngest is seventeen, oldest is... Stevie, how old are you?" Dylan asked.
"He's twenty two, now." I smiled, looking at Dylan.
"'aitgh!" Dylan nodded, as Stevie wasn't too sure himself.
"Correct me if I'm wrong... Stevie King, drums?" Peter asked, looking at my cousin.
"Y'ah." Stevie nodded.
"Todd Ericson, vocals?" Peter looked to Todd.
"That's me." Todd nodded to him.
"Eddie Riot, bass?" He then turned to my right.
"Ye-P." Eddie raised his cola to him.
"Dylan Chaser, the rhythm?" Peter wasn't sure, looking to my left.
"Rhythm." Dylan confirmed.
"Now, then... Monroe... Monroe, what? Lead guitar." Peter looked at me, seeming very interested.
"Katie Monroe." I told him.

Peter nodded, looking at me. "You have to be my most favourite female guitarist I've met in a couple of years, now."
"Thanks." I smiled. I was surprised by that.
"It was a great show. I liked what I saw. I'm Peter Finley, as you already know... I'm with EMI, currently looking for my next project and I really enjoyed what I saw last night!" Peter looked at us.

A waiter came over and took his drink order, along with our food orders. Stevie got lasagne again, Todd got a meat feast, and Dylan and Eddie wanted to share an OPP with me, as they really enjoyed it the last time. Peter ordered a Hawaiian for himself.

"Thank you for taking an interest, Mr Finley." Eddie spoke up, looking at Peter as if he was Marc Bolan or Ozzy Osbourne, Keith Richards or David Bowie.
"Just Peter. None of you are currently in any school, are you?" Peter replied, looking around the table
"No!" The guys all replied, me shaking my head.
"Great, so we can get straight to business. Where are you all from? You all live around here? Who started the band?" Peter asked us.
"Monroe actually started the band." Dylan spoke up, nodding to me.
"Ah! Not often we get a female starting a band, recruiting all boys." Peter meant that in a good way. "Do you prefer Monroe? Or Katie?"
I just shrugged, with a smile. "I don't really mind, but being called Monroe is a thing now. Only Stevie really calls me Katie."
"And how do you all know each other?" Peter smiled.

We all smirked.
"Monroe?" Dylan looked at me.
"I've always wanted to be in a band. I had an opportunity, my families full consent, so I went to PA to grab my cousin, Stevie." I nodded to the drummer.
"I were sold." Stevie shrugged, his eyes popping a bit.
"You're British. The both of you." Peter looked between us.
"Bolton, England. Lived in Yorkshire, from one years old to eight. Stevie's from Sheffield, moved to West Chester, when he was one." I explained.
"Ah! Who came next then?" Peter asked us.
"Me. They took a road trip, ending up in Iowa. I saw their equipment, gave them a place to stay. We talked some, and I'm in. I'm also the main song writer." Dylan added.
I rolled my eyes, discreetly.
"Then, it was me. They drove down to New York and watched me play, with my old band-"
"Red Runaway!" Dylan, Stevie and I laughed.
"Red Runaway. Thanks, guys." Eddie nodded to us. "They gave me an offer and I couldn't really refuse."

Peter was impressed. "Todd?"
"I've known Eddie for some years now. He called me, saying he was in a band and they needed a singer, so I made my way to Boston, and yeah..." Todd smiled, with a shrug.
"It's talent we were recruiting." Dylan smiled from Todd to Peter.
"Even better." The producer smiled. "I want to fly you all to LA, meet with my boss. I like your style, your presence, your attitude... I want to sign you to EMI."

And just like that... Our dreams were coming true.