Page 9 of Love on Tour
“I know.”
“Hit songs used to bring in a lot more money for the songwriters and publishing companies than they do now.”
“Yes, sir.” Christine had no idea where Rick was going with this.
“And let’s not even talk about the pandemic. No live music. Bars, clubs, and restaurants closed down. The public doesn’t realize that all that music being played is licensed and goes toward our bottom line,” Rick said, running his hands through his hair.
“I know. And we’re all still trying to dig out. Even with the government compensation,” Christine said, nodding in agreement.
“I’ve been running the numbers and contemplating making some hard decisions with regards to songwriters and employees. Scaling back. But this, Christine? Austin Garrett? It could turn everything around.”
Christine’s eyes widened. Had Rick just laid the company’s future on her?
She squeaked out, “Understood.” And with a nod of his head, she was dismissed.
Christine went back to her desk. She stared at the wall, her thoughts incoherent. She shook off the fear and thought about what Rick had said. She was the one who could turn business around and save jobs, including her own. She’d always been a non-cutthroat person in a cutthroat business. She prided herself on not using people to get to the top. She wasn’t one who left carnage in her wake. But being tough and being cutthroat were two different things. Maybe it was time to be a little more assertive. And if Austin could help her rise through the ranks of song pluggers and keep the publishing company profitable, it would benefit everyone. Including Austin.
CHRISTINE ARRIVED AT HER FAVORITEchicken restaurant. As far as diners went, it wasn’t much to look at, but the food was great and the service was quick. Julianna was already there, but Phoebe was running late. Phoebe liked to make an entrance. And with her long black hair, striking blue eyes, and off-the-charts self-confidence, she always did.
Christine took a moment to look at Julianna. She was gorgeous—what every young girl dreamed of looking like. Long, thick blonde hair, shapely legs that went on forever, and a waist the size of most women’s thighs. Christine caught a glimpse of herself in the window. She’d gotten used to her body and had learned to appreciate it. Her thighs weren’t thin, but they were strong. Her breasts were a bit too big for her liking, but after watching women spend thousands of dollars to get what she had naturally, she’d learned to be thankful. She had a love-hate relationship with her hair but was trying harder to appreciateher curls. She’d flat-ironed it to perfection that morning, but it had only lasted until she stepped out into the humid air. Now, it was so big it needed its own zip code. She’d have rocked the big ’80s hairstyles. She used to slouch so she’d fit in with petite women. But not anymore. She stood up straight, smoothed her shirt, put on a big smile, and walked to the table.
Christine’s relationship with Julianna was the only reason Phoebe even knew she existed. Two years earlier, when Hit Songs Publishing hired Julianna as an executive assistant, she and Christine found they had an easy rapport. Julianna’s friend came as a package deal. Phoebe was not a warm and fuzzy personality. She was reserved and could be somewhat curt. Christine had tried to disarm her with charm, but so far, it hadn’t broken through Phoebe’s walls. She remembered the first time they’d all had lunch together and Julianna introduced her to Phoebe.
“Phoebe? As in the character onFriends?” Christine had asked.
“Nope, as in Cates. Mom lovedFast Times at Ridgemont High. Long live Spicoli,” Phoebe said, her upper lip lifting into a sneer. Christine had given her a knowing grin, remembering her own mother making her watch that movie. Phoebe was a Belmont alumnus. She had interned for a record label, and then they’d hired her for a full-time social networking role. She was brilliant at it.
That first meeting had solidified Christine’s place as Julianna’s friend, but Phoebe was Julianna’s sorority sister and those bonds ran deep. So Christine had learned to deal with her.
“Hey. It’s the lady of the hour,” Julianna said, looking up and motioning Christine over as she walked to the table. “And damn does your hair look good.”
“It’s a curly mess,” Christine said, fluffing it.
“Not even. Your long locks look amazing.”
“Damn. Can you come give me a pep talk every morning?”
“I can.” Julianna’s face was bright, her smile huge. “Tell me everything.”
Christine shrugged out of her black leather jacket and hung it on the back of her chair with her purse. She’d discovered in college that she looked good in black leather jackets when some hot random guy on campus told her she did. It wasn’t much of a fashion statement, but ever since that day, she’d felt a sense of confidence when she wore them. And having confidence went a long way in the music business.
“I was standing on the street corner, looking amazing in my dress, and he said he couldn’t help but stop and ask me to be his date.”
“Seriously?” Julianna asked.
“I may have paraphrased a little. I clearly needed a ticket, so it worked out perfectly.”
“I’m so sorry we couldn’t hold the doors any longer. We begged the security guy,” Julianna said.
“I was late. That’s on me. And it turned out well for me. I mean, how many times do I get to ride in a limo to an after-party?” Christine picked up her menu and perused it. She was being coy—not her usual style—but so often, she was the one whoheardthis kind of story. She enjoyed getting to be the one telling it.
“Limo? After-party? Keep going.”
Christine told Julianna about the night, embellishing a large part of it. She ended with Austin’s offer to go home with him and exchanging cell phone numbers.
“He invited you to his home and you said no?” Julianna said.
“He didn’t ask me to have sex with him. Just to go home with him.”
