Page 2 of Kicking it with my Fake Fiancé
I nodded slowly. “Thanks, Paul. Anything else?”
He shook his head, frowning. “That’s all I have to say today. I’ll talk to you again next month. Let me know if you need anything in the meantime.”
“Sure thing. Thanks.” I exited the meeting as quickly as possible without risking looking unprofessional and closed my laptop. As soon as I was sure he was gone, I let out a long breath, tears prickling my eyes.
I had only started to actively pursue a music career in the past few years, and I’d been damn lucky to land an agent when my career was basically in its infancy. I’d been with Paul’s agency since the previous winter, but he hadn’t been able to secure me a deal with any of the labels. I knew I needed to be patient, but I was getting frustrated and I was tempted to quit. Give up before failure caught up to me,thatwas my typical M.O.
I let out another sigh and shook my shoulders out, trying to shake off the negativity and encroaching despair. My phone buzzed, so I closed my laptop and took a peek. I grinned when I saw the messages from my friends start to roll in.
Cam: Jared, how did the meeting go?
Parker: What meeting? Did I miss something important?
Theo: God, Park. Do you ever think about anything besides yourself?
Parker: Yeah, my husband’s dick.
This message was accompanied by an eggplant emoji, a water droplet emoji, and a winking emoji.
Bennett: Gross.
Parker’s only response was an eye roll emoji.
Levi: Jared had a meeting with his agent today, right?
Smiling fondly, I shook my head and tapped out a quick response.
Jared: Yeah, I just got off the call. It was… not great. I need to find a way to build a fan base, and fast, or else.
Bennett: What does ‘or else’ mean?
Jared: He’ll probably drop me from his client list.
Cam: He said that? Dick.
Theo: Well, we’re your fans. Don’t we count for something?
Jared: Can we multiply you guys by thousands? Isn’t that something Dex’s company can do, Bennett? Clone people?
Bennett: Hardly. But maybe he can help us advertise the next show.
I appreciated the effort, but I wasn’t sure it was going to pay off.
Jared: If thereisa next show, you mean.
Cam: Don’t you dare do that.
Jared: What?
But I knew what he meant, and I braced myself for his light scolding.
Cam: You know what? You always give up if you’re not an expert at something right away. If you think there’s even the slightesthintof a possibility that you’re not going to be wildly successful, you run. Don’t do that. You’re talented. Give it time.
I sighed deeply. Cam was right.
Jared: Fine. Have it your way.
Cam responded with a crying laughing emoji and an eye roll emoji.
