Page 47 of Hard Rock Temptation
“But,” I continued, “they’re not going to fit with the album’s sound.”
“What do you mean,fit?” Zain frowned. “We haven’t even decided on the songs, let alone the sound.”
“We’ve developed a certain style over the years,” I reminded them. “That’s what our listeners, our fans, expect. If we take a one-eighty and release something like this, they’re not going to like it. It’s not going to sell.”
There was a beat of silence. Then they all spoke at once.
“That’s true,” Anya mused.
“Who cares?” Zain growled.
“It makes sense,” Finn nodded.
“Does it matter?” Kay asked.
I tried not to wince at the overlapping voices. Chris stayed silent, but there was a pained look on his face as his gaze slid across each band member.
“I know the business side of things isn’t fun to think about,” I spoke up, “but it’s something we need to consider. If we produce an album that the label doesn’t think will sell, they’ll just sideline it with no promo, or worse, refuse to release it at all.”
“They wouldn’t dare,” Zain scoffed, folding his arms and leaning so far back in his chair I thought he might fall.
“Entertainment labels have done it to plenty of others before,” I replied wearily.
“That’s really what it’s all about, isn’t it?” Finn said, a thoughtful look on his face. “We’re entertainers.”
“We’re artists,” Kay shot back immediately with a frown.
“Can’t we be both?” Anya asked softly.
The rest of us sat there without speaking for long moments.
“Why don’t we all take a few days and let our thoughts simmer,” I said. “We can come back later this week and discuss it again. And,” I added, “if any of you feel like tweaking your songs, that’s cool too. We can see what else we come up with.”
They all agreed, although tension lingered in the air, and everyone soon filed out of the practice room. Except for Kay.
“Hey,” she said softly, putting a hand on my arm. “I wanted to talk to you about something.”
“Me too, actually.” I was a little worried that she wanted to talk about what had just happened with the band, but something else was weighing on my mind and I needed her opinion.
“You go first, then,” she offered, almost sounding relieved.
I pushed messy strands of hair back from my forehead, my lips twisting as I considered how to put my concerns into words without rambling.
“Do you think it’s unfair of me to leave my mom home alone so often?” I asked.
Kay tilted her head and looked at me carefully. She got a thoughtful look on her face.
“Do you think it’s unfair of you?” she asked, repeating my words back to me.
“I’m worried something will happen when I’m not there,” I said. “It was one thing when my dad was still alive. There was always someone around to watch over her. But now? What if we hadn’t been visiting when she had that attack? What if she’s been having those attacks when I’m not there and she’s just not telling me so I won’t worry even more? What if something happens when we’re on tour? What if?—”
“Micah,” Kaylee interrupted my rapidly spiraling thoughts. “Have you told your mom how you’re feeling?”
“Not yet,” I admitted. “I don’t want her to know how much this is weighing on me. I don’t want her to feel guilty.”
“Discussing this with her is probably your first step. Or so I’ve been told,” she muttered under her breath. Then she shook her head. “I know you don’t want her to feel guilty for worrying you, but I also know she would hate that you’ve been stressing out about this.
“I’m just not sure how to start the conversation,” I said, running a tired hand over my face. “I don’t know the right way to bring it up.”
