Page 96 of The Ballad of Us
She stops walking. “What?”
“Marcus didn't take the counteroffer well. We're officially free agents as of this morning.”
“Oh my God, Gray. I'm so sorry. Are you okay?”
I pause to check in with myself, tension unraveling from my shoulders. A slow pride rises. “I'm more than okay. For once, I chose what’s right for me, not just what’s expected, and that feels real, Rhea.”
“What does this mean for the band?” My girl asks about the band's future.
I’m ready for her question. “It means we’re choosing to build something for ourselves, not just the industry. We’ve decided to consider self-producing, local residencies, songwriting collaborations, and independent production. We’ve got this, baby, and with your past work in the communications department at Requiem, you can set us up to market and spread the word.”
Rhea studies my face with those perceptive eyes that see through every defense I try to maintain. “You're not just saying this to make yourself feel better about what happened?”
“No. I might panic when reality hits. But right now, I’ve finally peeled off someone else’s expectations and stepped back into my real skin. Underneath the fear, I'm feeling steady for the first time in years.”
She steps closer and wraps her arms around me, and I breathe in the familiar scent of coffee and vanilla that always makes me feel at home. “I'm proud of you, and I love you for choosing us.”
“I love you for making 'us' worth choosing.” I kiss the top of her head as she buries her face in my chest.
We stand there in the middle of the village square, holding each other while Duke patiently waits for us to remember we're supposed to be walking him. Around us, life continues at its unhurried mountain pace. Mrs. Chen is watering the flowers outside her bookstore, Leslie is rearranging his porch furniture for optimal feng shui, and Emma is cleaning the windows at Mountain Mornings.
This is my life now, not the glamorous, high-pressure existence of a touring rock star, but a simpler and infinitely more meaningful existence.
I chose love over fame, health over wealth, and being present over endless touring. It’s equal parts terror and belonging since this is the first time I’ve truly come home to myself.
“We aim to show there are many ways to succeed now. Our new songs are about being real, telling stories, and second chances. I’m thinking of starting my own 'Second Chances' together as a band, featuring stories from others in recovery and creating music that is both healing and true. That feels right—and like a beginning, not an ending.”
“Sounds like you have it all planned out.” Rhea smiles easily.
My phone buzzes with a notification, and I glance down to see an email from an independent label from Georgia—Red King Records, based out of Atlanta and Los Angeles.
Subject: Partnership Opportunity - Case in Point
Mr. Garrison,
We heard about your recent label change through industry channels. Red King Records specializes in collaborating with artists who prioritize artistic integrity and sustainable career development over traditional industry pressures. We believe in tours that support rather than exhaust, marketing that respects privacy, and business relationships formed with mutual respect rather than exploitation.
If you're interested in exploring what a different kind of record label partnership might look like, we'd love to schedule a conversation.
Respectfully,
Koi Hendrix
Co-founder, Red King Records
I show the email to Rhea, watching her face light up as she reads.
“Koi Hendrix?” A grin develops across her face. “As in Henley Hendrix?”
“Koi is her brother and a legendary guitar player in his own right.”
“Could the universe be any more obvious about approving of your choice?” Rhea laughs.
I join her, a chuckle spilling from my lips. “Apparently not.”
“Are you going to call Red King Records?”
“I'm going to call the guys first. But yeah, I think I am. It doesn’t hurt to hear what they have to say.”
