Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 100441 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 502(@200wpm)___ 402(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100441 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 502(@200wpm)___ 402(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
“The only thing I will say about Cameron is he’s loyal and he does fight for his artists, but generally speaking, labels are like casinos.”
“It’s a gamble?”
I snort. “No. The house always wins. Look at Harley and me.”
“Couldn’t the same be said for Harley’s label?”
“I don’t know. The thing is, Harley’s intentions are pure, I can promise you that, but you know what they say about good intentions.”
“You’re being very philosophical tonight.”
“It’s late and I’m tired.” And I’m using all my energy not to tell you to pick me.
Which is stupid because his decision isn’t between me and something else. It’s between two men who can do amazing things for his career, but when it comes down to it, the choice he makes will affect how our relationship works.
I knew this was going to happen sooner or later. I was hoping for a lot later. Lyric has too much talent to not be discovered, and the only thing holding him back was himself.
“I’m not going to make a decision anytime soon.” Lyric kisses the top of my head. “Let’s get some sleep.”
I curl into his side and try to forget about our uncertain future. Maybe if he signs with Cameron, I can renege on the Eleven deal. I haven’t signed anything yet, and I don’t expect contracts to be drawn up until Harley gets all five of us on board. That’ll take time.
If Lyric signs with Cameron, he will be thrust into a world he probably can’t even fathom. It was an eye-opener for me at eighteen.
Holding him back from that isn’t fair.
“Stop thinking,” Lyric mumbles.
“I’m not.”
“You are. You’re all tense. It makes me think I didn’t fuck you hard enough to turn your brain off.”
“You might have to do it again.”
He rolls on top of me. “I’m suddenly not so tired anymore.”
Neither am I. Though I’m going to be wrecked in the morning.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Lyric
Ryder’s been acting weird ever since I told him about the offers from Harley and Cameron. It’s been days of forced smiles and soft kisses. Whenever I’ve asked him what’s wrong, his voice has gone high-pitched and squeaky as he lets out a weak “Nothing! I’m fine.”
Mmhmm, fine. Everyone knows when someone says they’re fine, they’re not fine.
It’s why I didn’t tell him the contracts came through yesterday, and I promptly sent them to my brother.
I expect him to call me any moment to tell me what he thinks, even though I already know.
What Cameron is offering is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. One my father never got to see.
Harley’s contract is a risk. A big one. But it sounds so damn perfect.
My gut clenches.
I think that point is in both the pros and cons column. I loved working on my demo with Ryder. He makes me a better artist while not stepping on my creative side. But Harley’s offer is still tainted by Ryder’s connection to it, and signing with him and what I’m sure will be seen as a boy band label feels like selling out even more than signing with the biggest manager and possibly the biggest label in the industry.
My prejudices are pushing me toward Cameron.
Choosing Ryder and Harley’s venture would feel like choosing my boyfriend over my future, and when did I become that person?
“I think it’s buttered,” Kaylee says.
I look down at my hands to find them making a sandwich. Huh.
Can anyone say distracted?
“What was I making again?”
She folds her little arms. “Peanut butter.”
“Oh. Of course.”
“You’re dis-tacted.”
“Distracted? Me? Never.”
“Now, you lie!”
I ruffle her dark hair. “Nothing for you to worry about.”
Kaylee is another factor in all this. We’ve bonded. This time last week, I was spending quality time with Ryder and Kaylee, and it felt like we were a family. I don’t want to leave her.
I love being her nanny.
If I choose Harley, I could keep that even if it’s only until she starts school. It’s more time.
I finish making her lunch and slide her plate over to her. “There you go.”
She takes it and moves toward the dining table.
“You’re welcome,” I say sarcastically.
She giggles. “Thank you, Lyric.”
“That’s better.”
My phone rings in my pocket, and my heart leaps into my throat when I see Chord’s name. I sink to the tiled floor and lean against the kitchen cabinet.
I’m scared of what he’s going to say because I really, really, really want him to pick Harley so I have a business reason to go with the riskier choice.
“Hey,” I answer.
“Did you win the music lottery?”
“Huh?”
“Cameron Verikas.”
“Oh. Right. That.”
“And Harley Valentine? When you said you’d been offered contracts, I was prepared to tell you how slimy and crappy they were.”
“So, they’re both good?”
“For a first-time artist? Yeah, they’re really damn good.”
“Which … who do you think I should sign with?”
Please say Harley. Please say Harley. Please say Harley.
“Cameron. Duh. No-brainer.”
Damn. “That’s what I thought.”
“You don’t sound happy about that.”