Page 16 of Chronicles of a Rockin' Mess

I keep walking, and he runs to catch up to me.

“Please, just come in and hear me out! If you don’t agree with me, then I’ll drive you to the airport myself, OK?” he says.

I stop and turn to him. I cock my head and really look at him. It’s then that I see the worry. Shit.

“Fine, five minutes, I’ll give you five minutes,” I say.

“Good. OK. That’s all I ask,” he answers as he grabs my bags and walks back toward the garage entrance.

Once inside, I follow Kade to the office. I have to say not much has changed. There are a few new pieces of art, the living room furniture is updated, but the office looks the same. I sit down on a chair, and Kade takes the one facing me. He runs a hand through his hair.

“He’s bad,” Kade finally says.

“Meaning?” I ask.

“Meaning, since the day you left, it’s like…it’s like you took a part of him with you. He’s incomplete,” Kade tries to explain.

“Not. My. Problem,” I say through gritted teeth.

Kade holds up his hand. “I know, I know.”

“This is different though. He’s been…unhappy. Honestly, I’m worried about him,” Kade admits.

“Like, how worried?” I ask.

“Like, I’ve been sleeping here worried,” he says.

I let out a breath. “Shit.”

“Yeah,” he says.

He looks at me. “You look fucking amazing, by the way,” he says with a grin.

I roll my eyes. “Seriously, you want to small talk now?” I ask him.

He shrugs. “How have you been?” he asks.

“Good,” I say. “Actually, really good.”

“I’m glad. I’m happy for you,” he says and places his hand over mine, giving it a squeeze.

“Kade, your five minutes is almost up,” I remind him.

He leans back in the seat and looks at me. “You know him better than anyone. We have to finish in the studio in two weeks, and then we have a press tour before heading out on the road for eight shows. If we can make it through that, we’ll have our contract renewed by the record label. We just need you for two months. Just give it two months. You don’t have to report to Lincoln. You’ll be working for Harry and me. We’ll be paying you. And if Lincoln does anything wrong, you tell us—not Gwen, not Gary—Harry or me. I’ll double what Lincoln was last paying you, and if you end up staying, I’ll double your vacation time,” he says and then stops and looks at me.

I take in a breath. I could use that money. I’ve been thinking about recording my own stuff. Hank has been trying to talk me into it for months now, but I’m just not sure yet.

Kade studies me carefully as I weigh my options. “If I take the position, I want a bonus once the label re-ups your contract,” I say to him.

He swallows. “How much?” he asks.

“Twenty percent of my salary, regardless if I stay after that,” I say.

He nods. “Fine,” he agrees.

I hold out my hand. “Then you have my services for the next eight weeks,” I say to him as he shakes my hand. He stands up and pulls me into a hug.

“It’s great to see you, Lark,” he says.

---