Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 55458 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 277(@200wpm)___ 222(@250wpm)___ 185(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55458 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 277(@200wpm)___ 222(@250wpm)___ 185(@300wpm)
“For what purpose? There’s nothing to promote yet. I just got back in the studio today, Alex. And your call interrupted me.”
“You are? That’s great, man. All the more reason for you to come back home and start drumming up some excitement for the upcoming album. The studio will be glad to hear this.”
“Don’t say anything to them. Not yet. I have the songs written but I just got in the studio today, Alex. I mean it.”
“Fine, but I need you to do these interviews. You don’t want people asking the awful question of ‘Gavin who’ when your next album is about to drop.”
“Don’t you think you’re being a little dramatic?” Hollywood could be fickle, but music fans were not. They would wait years for the next single, the next album, and the next tour. I knew that firsthand as an artist and a fan.
“Not at all. You know this industry can be, Gavin. It’s time to come home.”
I wasn’t ready, not by a long shot. I thought I would have a few more weeks left with Suzie. At least a few more nights. “Alex. I just got back in the groove.”
“You’ve recorded all of your albums in the studio except that damn acoustic one, what makes this one any different?”
I sighed, knowing he had a point. “This one is different because I wasn’t sure if I would be here again, recording another album. Do you even realize that?” Of course, he didn’t. Alex was a good agent and he’d made me a lot of money over the years, but I was a commodity to him. Nothing more.
“I know it was scary, but it’s over now. Come back to L.A. Do these interviews, Gavin. You need this. We both do.”
Shit. “Fine, I’ll be back by the end of the week.”
“No good. I have you schedule with Jimmy tomorrow.”
I rolled my eyes and it was my turn to pinch the bridge of my nose in frustration. “Which one?”
“Does it matter?”
“I guess not.” I knew when I was beat, and worse, I knew if I didn’t agree, Alex would wear me down until I did. “Fine.”
“Great. The helicopter is on its way. Should be there within the hour.” Alex hung up before I could change my mind. Damn him.
Two songs, that was all I’d gotten recorded before Alex’s untimely interruption. Two songs. That was it.
“I guess that means you’re leavin’.” Granddaddy’s voice sounded behind me, but I didn’t need to turn around to see the disapproval on his face. It was heavy in his voice.
“I have to.”
“Yeah? Seems to me like you’re the star and you could do what you want. But, hey, I’m just an old man. What do I know?”
“Not now, Granddaddy. I have a lot to do before the helicopter gets here.”
A snort sounded behind me. “They need you so bad they send a helicopter but you have no say in your schedule? Sounds like bullshit to me. But, again, what do I know?”
I turned and stared into my granddaddy’s disappointed eyes. “I don’t want to fight about this with you. I have to go, but you can stay as long as you want. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
“I’ll be here. Holdin’ my breath.” I knew he was really upset because he folded his arms and stared me down like he did when I was a curfew-breaking teen. “Don’t tell me you plan on leaving without a goodbye for Suzie?”
It was as if the old guy could read my mind. “I want to, I really do. But I don’t have the time and I don’t know what I’d say to her if I did. Can you let her know I’m going back for a little while but I’ll be back soon?”
I held my breath, knowing I was taking the coward’s way out, but it was better this way. For both of us.
“So, you want to put me in the position to lie to her? No thanks.”
“Granddaddy, I need to pack. I need to get my songs and prepare myself for media appearances. It’s been a long time and I’m out of practice.” Knowing Alex, he’d probably hinted that there was something personal going on in my life that they all would, no doubt, ask about. “Please?”
“I’ll tell her what she no doubt will figure out on her own—that you skipped town without a goodbye.”
“I have to go back.” It was a shitty move, leaving town without telling Suzie, especially when we had such a good time together. She’d taken the time to get to know me as a man, not just a celebrity, and this was how I would reward her. I’m an asshole.
I picked up the phone and stared at her smiling face for a long moment, thumb hovering over the call button before I tossed the phone on the bed and packed a bag. Too soon, the helicopter landed on the helipad, the whir of the blades not as soothing as they usually were. Today, they were an omen.