Page 47 of Legendary Rock Star
I held her closer and said, “You’re amazing, Maggie. I’ll call.”
I claimed her lips again. Her kiss burned on my lips, and part of me was glad we were here, in public. I’d not take everything she offered.
When the kiss ended, I lowered my head and waved as I walked out into the dark night.
I hadn’t realized how late it was, but it didn’t matter. Hank was waiting in the limo with the headlights on and he took me home.
Tomorrow, I would talk to Fiona and finish that chapter of my life, forever.
I closed my eyes in the back of the limo and went numb.
Now I needed to find out when Maggie was free and set up a meeting with Mark. If I didn’t fix that album deal, I’d hurt the only woman who had ever touched my heart.
Seeing my parents had stirred up painful memories, but it had also reminded me that I controlled my life.
As we drove through the dark streets, a song about following my heart but losing Maggie composed itself in my head, until the ringing caught my attention. I picked up my phone and heard Mark as he asked, “So what happened, Phoenix?”
I shook my head. “I don’t want to talk about it.”
The limo turned onto my street as Mark said, “You need to talk to someone.”
“Later.” I’d done enough talking for now. When I was ready, I’d call one of my cousins for advice on how to fix things with Maggie. They were trustworthy women. And besides shouldn’t Mark be asleep at this hour? I closed my eyes and said, “Mark, I quit the show. You’ve already secured me everything I wanted, so I don’t need them.”
“This has to do with Maggie, doesn’t it?” he said quickly. “We’ve known each other for years. And I’ll be at your house in less than ten minutes.”
We were pulling up in front of my house as I said, “You don’t have—”
But Mark interrupted. “You’re the closest thing I have to a son. I’ll be there.”
Right. And I was the disappointing kid who’d never lived up to his potential, until now. I’d changed, and I needed to keep my word to Maggie.
That show was for people like her. People who didn’t have what they wanted out of life yet, and deserved a shot at it.
Maybe Mark would tell me that from now on I’d be singing in more intimate settings. And that might be better. It might leave me to free to have the life I wanted.
And that meant not hurting Maggie with lies. A face-to-face with Mark was necessary, and now was as good a time as any.
I was putting my stuff away when the doorbell rang. I returned and opened the door for Mark.
“Come in,” I said. “Would you like a water?”
He patted me on the back and walked inside the living area with me as he said, “No thanks. What’s your plan now?”
I directed us toward the couch that didn’t vibrate. Mark looked professional even at this hour, in his white button-down, with no tie, and light tan suit pants. He folded his hands in front of his belly and relaxed back in his seat as I said, “Watch Maggie on the show for a few days. Write a few songs.”
He lifted one eyebrow. “And record my album?”
The Christmas album had been a blip. I got that now. But when Mark stared at me with expectations for another album, my collar grew tight. I’d not disappoint the only father figure I had left, again, so I said, “I’ll record everything you want from me.”
He leaned closer like we were discussing an actual contract. “Look, you’re locked into a six-month tour with the other contestants, but if you get me new material, I’ll finalize a new deal for both of us.”
If I took that deal, I’d be a liar. I’d destroyed too much already, and I pressed my lips together, unsure how to tell Mark to find someone else better.
Instead, I asked, “When are you going to take the meeting with Maggie? You didn’t respond to my texts.”
He scooted closer, like we shared a secret, and said, “You had a release from her. We’re legally free to do anything with that Christmas stuff.”
“We don’t profit without paying her. Or I don’t record anything or write another note.”
