Page 48 of Legendary Rock Star
“You drive a hard bargain. Is she worth losing everything for?”
Mark’s opinion on my life had protected me for years, but Maggie deserved more.
“She deserves better than me,” I said.
Mark stared at me and then sat back. His voice went deeper as he said, “If she’ll talk to me and sign for that album, we’ll split the profits with her and maybe film a video once the show ends.”
Sometimes, like now, I wondered what in the world Mark saw in me.
I slumped in my seat and asked, “And a solo career for her? Can you help her?”
Mark stilled but his voice was piercing like a knife as he said, “I need to have a conversation with her. My instincts decide if I work well with someone, and right now, all I see on TV is that she’s not focused on winning.”
“That’s on me,” I said “And you as well. That song being leaked wasn’t good for her.”
Mark snorted scornfully and then said, “All I can offer is a meeting, and a fair deal for the Christmas album. Getting her name on the cover as a featured singer will be easy. But I need for you to sing more on your own so I can make you a solo star.”
If I didn’t push for Maggie to get equal billing, it would mean I was a liar. I didn’t need to prove my own worth anymore. I controlled my schedule and my life, but Maggie was drifting away from me.
Even without Mark, she’d still be a star if she gave the show her all.
And I needed to protect my heart from falling for her even more.
Mark patted my knee and said, “And I promise you I’ll ensure she has her chance too. You leaving the show leaves her a wide opening, if she takes it. Be happy for her. She might not even want to work with me.”
So once again I was playing out my life in the public eye. And somehow everyone saw something different from what they should.
Mark stood up, like he’d said what he’d wanted to say. But he added, “Yes, be happy and get in that studio.”
I walked him out and said, “Mark, thanks for checking on me.”
He turned toward me in the hall and asked, “Promise me one new song before tomorrow?”
I met his gaze. I didn’t have it in me to tell him no. Mark was the only person in my life who had ever watched out for me. The grays in his hair somehow made him seem more fatherly, and I said, “I can write a song tonight.”
He shook his head. “Not write. You’ve been doing that forever to hide. It’s time for you to sing, on your own.”
Until now, I’d only been a kid on a show, or a member of a band, or one of eight finalists on a music show special. Could I do it on my own?
I opened the door for him and said, “I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
He took one step, stopped and said, “Fine. Just no drinking. And you get in that studio.”
As he crossed the threshold, the need to thank him rushed through me. I’d be exactly like my parents, living in Vegas, poor and drunk, if he hadn’t come into my life. I said, “Mark, thank you for everything. I don’t know what I’d have done if you weren’t in my life.”
He hugged me and patted my back as he said, “Don’t thank me, kid. It’s time to start putting money in both our pockets again with your singing.”
“Bye,” I said. For some reason, he believed in me. Soon he’d be back to focusing on the next up and coming star.
I turned out the lights and headed to my room in complete darkness. I’d take control of my life, even if that meant protecting my heart from ever reaching out for Maggie ever again.
14
Maggie
There wasno way I’d lose again because I hadn’t practiced enough. This was on me.
No more distractions.
