Page 32 of Broken Melody
“Yeah you do, get me tickets to one of your concerts.”
“That, I will do. Count on it.” I feel like there’s a small buzzing in my brain, I still can’t believe any of this. “I can’t believe he went for it.”
“Why not? You weren’t asking for anything crazy and I’m quite surprised he didn’t offer this himself to begin with. I have a feeling if you’d decided to sign with the band he would have offered it as an option.”
“You think so?”
“I do. He doesn’t want to lose the future potential he sees in you.”
“Maybe so,” I smile. “All I know is that this is definitely the best of both worlds.” And it is. We agreed that I’ll start out my career with Graffiti. I’ll learn the new songs for the album, tour with them, give having a singing career a try. At the end of the tour, once my contract is fulfilled and the band and I decide if they want me to stay on – and if I want to – I become a permanent member like he said and a new contract will be drawn up accordingly. But, if they choose not to keep me, or I decide not to stay, then I begin my career as a solo artist. The solo contract term is one year, and in that year I will record an album and tour. We will evaluate how successful I’ve been after that year and go from there. Rick seemed happy with the deal as well, agreeing it’s a great chance for me to get my feet wet before I go all in. Rick was very agile, so easy to work with - at least so far. How he will feel if I decide to stay on, and he prefers I don’t I’m not sure. But for now at least, he was all smiles.
The legal team for Black Lamb Records immediately had a new contract sent over with the deal we agreed to, and once Leslie looked it through and acknowledged that it was in order, I signed. While waiting for the contract to arrive, with Leslie’s coaching and advice, I placed a call to Jace who quickly agreed to represent me agent-wise during the summer. Leslie is reviewing an agreement with him today and I will likely sign it within twenty-four to forty-eight hours. It’s fairly simple and basically entitles me to his representation and most of the same services and benefits the rest of the band receives. I was a bit confused why I might even need an agent, but Leslie helped me to see the merits. He was also a straight arrow to work with which made the discussion and final choice so easy. It also saved me from placing another individual in the mix at this time. Moreover, it allowed me to scratch one of items from my to-do list. When the contract with BLR was ready for signature, Rick even had a photographer arrive to take photos. It was…strange. So, now, I’m a new official member of Graffiti, a professional singer. I don’t even know if the band knows I signed yet, but Rick said I begin practice with them tomorrow. We have time booked in the studio I guess. They aren’t messing around. Talk about a whirlwind.
I feel like I have so much to do. The first thing will be to talk to Dusty, if I can get up the nerve. I’m not looking forward to that conversation. I mentally prioritize the other items made on my to-do list while I was waiting and remind myself to speak with an accountant immediately and open whatever financial accounts he suggests. I pat my bag containing my first paycheck and feel the smile spread across my face. I think I’m going to take a picture of it so I can remember forever what it felt like today. Never have I seen a check with that many zeros.
In addition to the list Leslie and I wrote, Rick also said there will be many interviews, fittings and practices lined up. My life is about to get insane. That’s okay. It’s an amazing kind of insane.
Smiling at Leslie, we walk out of the building and I’m startled when sudden clapping and cheering rings out. Looking across the parking lot, I see Nixon, Henley and Rocco all running to me with Maddox behind them. They’re all smiling and I can’t help but return it. “Congratulations!” are thrown about and I can tell they genuinely mean it.
“How are you guys here? How did you know I decided to sign?”
“Rick had Bethany call Jace who called to let us know. We’ve been going crazy waiting for word – Jace had told us you were supposed to meet with Rick today, but we weren’t sure what time. After he called, we decided to come here and tell you in person how exited we are about you joining us.” Rocco says.
“Really?” I ask unconvinced. I look around at each of them, meeting their eyes. They all nod.
“Look, I’ll be honest, we weren’t thrilled at first,” Nixon says.
“Especially me,” Maddox says arms crossed over his chest.
“But once we heard you. Met you in person. We realized something,” Rocco says.
“Yeah. We realized that maybe Rick is right and a change for a while will be a good thing,” Henley adds.
“Oh yeah?” I ask with a raise of my brow. “Even you?” I ask looking directly at Maddox.
Maddox smiles and good god, it changes his whole face. His eyes actually twinkle and I can easily see why women have flocked to him since the band had their first hit single. He’s completely riveting. “Even me.”
“Welcome to the band,” Henley smiles. ”It will be a fun few months.”
“Yeah, we should tell you thank you for saving our asses because let’s be honest, that’s what’s going on here,” Rocco says and Maddox glares at him.
“It will be a lot of work,” Maddox says changing the subject and I nod. “But, we’ll definitely have some fun too.”
A throat clearing captures all of our attention and I turn to find Leslie looking at the guys, and then at me, expectantly. I almost laugh at her lack of subtlety and the fact I completely forgot about her. “Oh, I’m sorry to be rude. Guys, this is my attorney Leslie Gold. Leslie, these are the guys,” I wave a hand encompassing all of them and they sweetly tell her hello. She gushes about what a fan she is and they kindly take pictures with her. When she leaves after hugging me and smiling like a loon, I turn to the guys to tell them I’ll see them at rehearsal tomorrow.
“So, speaking of that fun,” Maddox says and I furrow my brow.
“What about it?”
“We want to take you out to celebrate tonight,” Henley says.
“Yeah, we talked about it on the way over. We want to take you out for some drinks, maybe some dancing. You game?” Nixon adds.
“Absolutely!” I tell them excitedly and smile with a small jump and clap that makes them laugh.
“Great. Give us your address. We’ll pick you up, and your friend too if you’d like,” Maddox says.
“Britt,” I offer helpfully and he smiles.
“We will pick you and Britt up.” I give him my address and he tells me what time they’ll be there. Quickly hugging all of them, which makes them all smile in surprise, even Maddox, I wave and take off with a promise to see them later.
When I’m home, I’m barely through the front door before Britt pounces. “Tell me everything!”
