Promise.

Chapter One.

"Where the fuck is she, bro?" Ramon asked, checking his watch again.

Nicky looked through the blinds again, checking up and down the street. "Shit. When I left her last night....this morning....she swore she'd be here". He picked up the phone and dialed her number again. No answer.

"You know we have this place for an hour, right?", Ramon asked. "An hour. She's already 20 minutes late!"

Nicky opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted by the buzzing of his cell phone. He quickly answered and had a short conversation with the person on the other end. "Mami, I'm so sorry...no, it's ok. Let me know when you're feeling better....I know, I know. I'll be more gentle next time....ok bye"

He hung up the phone and let the laughter he'd been holding in erupt. "I'm sorry, bro. This girl...she's a total freak. We got carried away last night and she's feeling it today. Couldn't get out of bed". He pointed to his crotch "It's got a mind of it's own".

Ramon gave out a frustrated sigh and slammed a fist on the table "Mano, we have thirty minutes left. THIRTY! We might not get this time again!"

Nicky stopped laughing and rubbed his jaw sheepishly. "Shit....I'm sorry man".

"No", Ramon said sternly "No sorry. Fix this. Twenty eight minutes!"

Nicky looked at Ramon for a moment and saw he was dead serious. Thinking quickly, he looked around the room. He could hear beats from neighbouring studios thumping lightly outside the open door. With a smile and a wink, he quickly ran out into the hall and went in the direction of the sound. Opening the first door, he sighed with relief when a young girl turned to look at him from the booth, mouth open in surprise. Nicky paused for a moment, thrown off by her striking grey eyes and black curls.

"Who the fuck are you?", she demanded, surprise wearing off and being replaced by anger, "this is my session. I'm paid for four hours".

"Mami, I'm so sorry. I don't mean to interrupt your session, but I'm desperate". Nicky gave her his most irresistible smile. "Can I borrow you? I mean, can I borrow your voice? I don't have a lot of money, but we can pay you for your time. Ten, fifteen minutes, tops". When she responded by rolling her eyes, he pressed more. "My friend, he's really mad at me. I made a mistake. The girl who was supposed to do our vocals backed out. It's sort of my fault. I just need to do right by my brother. Please?"

The girl looked at him for a moment, then sighed. "Fine. The guy who's supposed to be mixing me didn't show. Maybe he's with your singer".

Nicky laughed. "My friend can help you! He's great at mixing. We can trade services?" He raised an eyebrow suggestively.

"Ew" she said, pushing past him, closing the studio door behind her, "let's go".

"Nicky, by the way" he said, leading her down the hall.

"Sarah".

Nicky pointed to Ramon as they entered the room, "my friend, Ramon", then the booth, "and the booth".

"Hi", Sarah said to Ramon.

"Umm....hi....umm..."Ramon stuttered. "Ah, do you speak Spanish by any chance?"

"A bit. If it's written down, I can read it fine".

"It's a demo, homes" Nicky said, excitedly rubbing his hands together, "it doesn't need to be perfect".

Ramon gave Nicky a pointed look and sighed. "Here". He handed Sarah the lyrics, "let's go over it"

Sarah quickly read over the lyrics and said "no need. Do you have a beat ready?" When Ramon nodded, she headed into the booth. "Let's just vibe. Correct me as I go?" She closed the booth door behind her.