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He’s done it for the last year. He won’t stop now.
Graham plops back down in his seat. “The power that man has, slightly concerns me. At least he’s on our side.”
I smile at his resignation, not sure why I’m okay with this. It should make me furious that Max needs to have control in my world. What will happen when I start dating? Am I going to get a text asking how my date went? A small part of me likes how protective Max is. It means he thinks of me often. And that right there is why it’s best we stay thousands of miles apart.
“Then let’s move on to something I can control. Like your music career.”
Jude was very receptive after Graham met with him. They’re pairing me with a woman songwriter. After the disappointment that their train of thought was to assign me to a female, Graham assured me Tristan Weiss was a good fit for me and my music.
“She was at the meeting and is crazy excited to work with you.”
“What’ll happen to Shane?”
Graham dusts off some lint on his brown blazer with his long fingers. “Let’s just say the only songs he’ll be selling won’t be worth the pennies he’s selling them for.”
I close my eyes as a flush of guilt smacks me in the face. Max’s words come back to me and I focus on them. I stood up for myself. Shane doesn’t deserve my sympathy. He made a choice and I shouldn’t take responsibility for the consequences that came from that choice.
“Sky,” Graham clips.
I hold up a finger and blow out the guilt. “I know. This is not my fault. It still doesn’t negate the feelings I’m having.”
“You weren’t the first. But because of you, hopefully you’ll be the last. That should make you feel better.”
I manage a small smile. It does.
“Beverly Hills is calling our name. Let’s go drown out all these feelings with a day of retail therapy.” He beams, picking up our cups and throwing them away. I take one more deep inhale of the coffee aroma, debating if I should get another drink before leaving. There’s nothing therapeutic about Graham’s retail therapy. I’ll be sweaty from trying clothes on by the first stop. I roll my shoulders and put my hair up in a messy bun.
Let’s do this.
Chapter Twelve
Sydney
“Pinch me!” I yell at Graham, dashing to him when he steps into my dressing room. “Is this happening?”
After the Shane ordeal, I was hesitant to work with Tristan. But she changed my life. The last four months have been a whirlwind of coffee, interviews, promotions, and more coffee. Her songs were extraordinary and my first single landed me in the top twenty countdown. Which led me to open for a major headliner and go on tour with them. It starts tonight. For the next two months, I’ll be in twenty-nine cities. This is absolute craziness.
He wraps his arms around me. “It’s really happening.” He draws back and eyes my attire. I snicker, shaking my head. Typical Graham and his clothing rules. I whirl in place, showing off my white shorts and a black tank. Kicking up my foot to make sure he notices my boots makes him chuckle. He touches my hair, which hangs past my shoulders now. I swear I dropped ten pounds with the extensions cut off. “I guess I like it.”
Narrowing my eyes, I huff. “I love it.”
“I’m kidding.” He grins. “I love it too. You look like a star.”
“Sky, this came for you,” Brett, our stage manager, says as he strolls into the room. He’s carrying a bouquet of exquisite red roses. Placing them on my dressing room table, I smile wide, glancing at Graham.
“Don’t look at me, sister. It’s your other admirer. You know, the one that’s brawny, brooding with eyes that can cast a spell on you, and a beautiful smile when you catch it.”
Not likely. I hadn’t spoken to Max since our phone call months ago. Addison talks about Max every few times we talk, giving me updates as if I asked for them. I’ll never admit I like hearing them though. I tug the note from the plastic holder and open the small envelope, pulling out the card.
Roses are red
Violets are blue
You’re goin’ to kill it
With your voice, it’s true.
~ Your Best Friend
