Page 74 of Hard Rock Temptation
August’s eyes narrowed as he tilted his head, clearly not believing a word I’d said. I suppressed a cringe. I hadn’t realized I’d let myself go to the point where other people would notice.
“I’ve been hearing rumors,” August started.
Oh, shit. Had other people found out? And if they had, what about? There was so much going on with the band it could have been anything. The long delay on recording our second album. The band fighting. My relationship with Kaylee. The fact that our contract was a completely worthless piece of paper.
Fuck, but we were in some deep shit.
“What kind of rumors?” I replied, trying to keep my voice even and smooth as I probed for more information, not wanting to give anything away.
“I normally wouldn’t pay attention to gossip, but this one worried me,” he said, his brow creasing. “I heard your band is not on speaking terms at the moment.”
Well, it could have been worse.
“We’re having a bit of a disagreement,” I acknowledged hesitantly.
I knew most bands would disagree and fight at some point in their careers, but for some reason I felt like I had to hide the extent of ours from August. Like it was something shameful, something to be embarrassed about. We were supposed to be professionals. If we couldn’t get over a disagreement, what did that say about us?
August gave me another one of those probing looks, then pulled up a chair, turned it around, and sat it in backwards, leaning his arms on the backrest, just like Finn had done. It was an oddly casual stance for someone who seemed so refined. He looked at me expectantly with a raised eyebrow, but didn’t say a word.
I looked up at the ceiling and let out a breath. As much as I hated to display weakness in front of this man, I’d just been wishing for some kind of help, some kind of advice, and it seemed the universe had answered my wish…with one of the rock stars I idolized the most. Talk aboutwatch out for what you wish for.
“It’s both straightforward and complex at the same time,” I started.
”Isn’t everything?” August said with a curl of his lips.
I let out a snort and looked down at my hands. I didn’t want to talk his ear off. How could I explain everything in the simplest way possible?
“We haven’t chosen the track list for our sophomore album and we’re already six months behind. We’re fighting over which songs to choose.”
“That’s very common,” August said consolingly.
I shook my head. “It’s not just a difference of opinion. Half the band wants to go in a new direction. Change our sound. The other half wants to stick to what our fans want. What the label wants.”
August’s mouth dipped down into a frown.
“That does complicate things,” he acknowledged. “It’s more than just disagreeing on what songs you like.”
I let out a derisive laugh. “Kaylee calls it a fundamental difference in philosophies.”
“She’s a smart woman,” he noted. “So, which side do you come down on?”
“I’m on the side of practicality,” I answered. “The band has certain expectations, from the fans, from the label. If we deliver something completely different they might shelve our entire album. They might decide to sideline us in favor of other bands that are giving them something marketable.”
“Ah.” August nodded. “Marketability, is it?”
“If bands don’t sell, they get dropped,” I said. “That’s the world we live in.”
“How do you know it won’t sell?” August asked, the same thing half our band members had asked me.
“It might,” I said with a shrug. “Our fans might love it. But our fans won’t get a chance to listen to our songs if the label won’t release it. If the label can’t guarantee people will love it and shell out their money for it, they won’t back it. They’re a business. That’s how it works.”
“Hm.” August leaned back and laced his hands behind his head, looking at a distant point above me. “Sounds like the problem is, you don’t know how the fans will react to your new songs. Your new sound.”
“Exactly,” I said with a nod. “The label won’t take on the risk, they won’t gamble with millions of dollars for promo, on something that might flop. They want a safe bet.”
“And what about you?” August said, turning his ice-blue eyes back on me. “What would you risk?”
It was exactly what Kaylee had asked me about our relationship. I’d known the answer. I would risk everything for her, but I couldn’t stand her taking on those risks, facing their consequences.
