Page 55 of A Country Kind Of Love
“It’s just a demo; we can tweak it, but this is a great first step to see if any record labels would beinterested.”
Peyton almost chokes on air. “Record labels?”
“I have a few in mind that I speak with regularly. I think they’d love this. They’re always on the lookout for a country duo.”
“A what?” Peyton can barely breathe. Her throat feels like it’sclosing in.
“A country duo,” Marvin repeats.
“No, I heard you.” She gulps. “I’m just extremely confused.” She grabs a bottle of water from the complimentary fridge; her throat is so dry she can barely swallow.
Marvin and Jesse look intently at her, waiting for a response that she doesn’t want to give.
“I think I need some air.”
?
The summer air makes no attempt to aid in her cooldown. She removes the sleeveless suedette vest because there’s anactualbead of sweat on her brow, and her legs are on fire. Storming out of the studio did nothing but cause the inside of her thighs to chafe.
Jesse follows her outside. He stands directly in front of her like a sun blocking giant with his arms crossed and his head cockedto the side.
“When did I agree to this?” she asks.
Jesse shrugs.
“Did someone inhabit my body for a day and agree to record a song I wrote for my girlfriend with a random guy and send it to record labels in the hope of being the next big country duo?” She scratches her head.
“So, Cleo is your girlfriend.” Jesse smirks.
“Not importanthere, Jess.”
“You’re right, sorry.” He resumes his puzzled look.
“Did I just dream that? Surely, nobody in their right mind is crazy enough to assume everything I’ve said without asking the artist if that’s what they would like to do.” Her head pulsates. She frowns because it’s uncomfortable accentuating the tension in her forehead. “Am I goingcrazy here?”
“You’re not crazy.” Jesse sits beside her on the bench. As soon as he moves the sun almost bursts her retinas. “Marvin’s a good guy. He likes helping people achieve their dreams,that’s all.”
“How can he do that if he doesn’t ask what someone’s dream is?”
“Every singer in Nashville has the same dream, Peyton,” Jesse says matter-of-factly.
“Not everyone. Not me.” She shakes her head.
“I don’t believe that. I think you have the same dream; you just envision it a little differently to Marvin. You want to be a songwriter, right?”
“Yes.”
“But, if you have the talent to sing the songs you write, why wouldn’t you? There are a lot of songwriters in Nashville. You see all these people walking by here.” He points towards the bustling pavement in the distance. “Every other person walking by is a songwriter or a musician. Not all of them can sing. Maybe they don’t want to, hell, a lot of people are happy just writing songs for other people.”
“Exactly!” Peytoninterrupts.
“But...” Jesse pauses for dramatic effect. “If they were given the chance, they sure as hell wouldn’t turn it down.”
This is what you came here for.The voice in her head screams.
Is it though? First, it’s her mom; she’s the reason she can’t sing. Now, it’s Cleo. Who next? Are they all just excuses because she’s scared to fail? She isn’t sure anymore.
“I don’t want whatever this is at the expense of someone else.” Peyton bows her head.
