More Than Manager

chapter five

chapter 5//You're Gonna Regret This

I rolled on my side and pounded my hand on the continuous alarm buzzing. I covered my eyes from the blinding sunlight and dragged my feet to the bathroom to get ready. I decided to wear my little black dress with black heels - not too formal, not too casual. I wanted to look presentable on my first day.

I walked into the studio around 10:15am, 15 minutes before we had to be there. Expecting no one else to be here yet, I walked over to the piano and pulled the stool closer before taking a seat. Starting slow at first, I gradually made my way to play a piece I remember learning in high school.

In the middle of my playing, I felt someone's eyes on my back. I whisked my head around to see Roger leaning up against the doorframe outside the recording studio. I felt my heart rise up to my throat in nervousness.

"You scared me," I say after a moment.

"I didn't know you could play so well," Roger remarks.

"There's a lot you don't know about me Roger Taylor." I stood up and walked past him to the couch. "You're the first one here?"

"It appears so, doesn't it?" he said, turning around.

As if on cue, Freddie and John burst through the door, talking over each other, but stop as soon as they see us.

Freddie walks over as hugs me. "Samantha, darling! How are you?"

"Just fine, Freddie. How about yourself?"

"Oh I'm just dandy. Say, what are you and Roger doing here all by yourselves?" He winked.

I shrugged, "I don't know, he was just the first one here, I guess. Where's Brian?"

"Oh, I have no idea. Thought he was with you?"

I shook my head and reached for my phone to call him.

"Bri? Where are you? It's 10:20 - we start in 10 minutes," I say quietly.

"Sorry, slept in. I'm on my way now!"

I hang up the phone and sigh. "He's gonna be late."

~

At around 11:00, Brian came running through the door, "Sorry I'm late I, uh.. I slept in a bit too long."

"Took you long enough, eh?" Roger said through the studio's speaker.

Brian rolled his eyes before turning to Freddie. "What'd I miss?"

"Oh, nothing much, darling. Roger's been working on his car song all day."

I sat on the couch with my arms crossed, watching Roger rearrange his pedals - until he looked up and we met eyes. He raised his eyebrows in question, so I turned my head away quickly to see Brian. As an act of not-knowing-what-to-do, I stood up to meet Brian, Roger watching me the whole time.

"Hey, Bri," I say, pulling him into a hug.

Roger finishes up his song and we break for lunch. We all head into the car, Freddie driving and John sat beside him. Brian jumped into the backseat before I could complain about having to sit in the middle or on the end - either way I would be squished beside Roger. I follow Brian and sit in the middle, but not before making it a point to make a noise of disgust when Roger tumbles in after me.

Brian lightly punches my shoulder as if to say, "Stop it, you're making it worse."

Roger sighs and says, "Yeah, I'm not too fond of the idea either, sweetheart."

I roll my eyes and rest my head back on the seat.

I feel his arm brush against mine the whole ride there and I want to move it, but I don't. I know I just have to get used to him, even if I want to slap him harder than I ever have. I have to remember that Queen is gaining popularity, and I don't want to mess this up for Brian.