Page 40 of The Bitter Words

“I thought I was.” I glance at each of them. “Isn’t that what I’m doing by working with a label?”

“No.” Mr. Hemings taps a pen he’s been holding against a pad of paper. “All a record label does is help record, produce, market, license, and distribute your music.”

“I know that part.”

Mr. Hemings continues. “Their interest is about their corporation and how you make money for them. Jaxon’s right. You need to protect your talent and create a company. Has your uncle talked to you about any of this?”

“No.” My cheeks burn. “He’s just my manager.”

“You need protection for both your art and your inheritance.” Jaxon relaxes back. “Get an LLC set up and work with an asset protection lawyer to form a trust that can’t be touched or challenged in court. You say you need this man, so I recommend doing all this before you sign with the label and it should be fine.”

I turn to Mr. Hemings. “Does Guns have something like this arranged?”

“He does. Anything he helps write or develop is part of his LLC. He does business under his stage name, so when you credit him, he’s protected.” Mr. Hemings peers over at me unapologetically.

Why the fuck wouldn’t anyone tell me about this kind of shit? I can’t trust anyone.

My chest turns to fire. I push my seat back, ready to march out of here. This day sucks.

“Wait.” Jaxon grabs my forearm and faces Mr. Hemings. “Can I have a minute alone with Cash?”

Mr. Hemings scans over Jaxon. They seem to speak somekind of silent communication. Mr. Hemings nods and excuses himself.

Jaxon releases my arm. “I thought you might appreciate having a private discussion about this. That way you can speak freely.”

“Why should I talk to you about this? What’s in it for you?”

“Nothing. I’m not here to judge, though. Think about it, Cash. I have no skin in the game, so you’re safe to have an open, honest, and transparent discussion with someone who’s here to listen.”

“Is it that obvious I’m lost as fuck?” I scoot my chair back in. “How could I be so stupid to think we’re all in this together?”

“You’re only doing what guys your age with no experience in professional matters do. Take this as a learning opportunity, Cash, and get out of your emotions.”

“How do I know you can help me?”

“You don’t, but I’m a damn good investor and that makes me great in business. I invest in companies that are new to the game and need assistance to make it big. It’s what makes me tick.” He pauses for a moment. “Wouldn’t it be nice to have someone give you information that could take you to the next level?”

I drag my teeth over my bottom lip. I wanna trust him, but he’s probably after something.

He tilts his head and softens his gaze. “Take a moment and breathe. Let your mind clear and relax. When you’re calm, tell me what you want.”

I pull in a heavy gust of air and release it. It takes seconds for the answer to appear.

“I wanna be a legend.”

“That’s the only thing you crave?”

I shrug. “I need my family to be taken care of, but yeah. That’s all I want.”

He shakes his head. “There’s something more. I can’t help you if you’re not honest, so let me go about this another way. There are only two things that motivate people. Fear and desire. So what is it you’re afraid to lose?”

I sit with that question for a moment. My stomach empties. “My purpose in life. It’s the reason I’m here on earth. If I walk away, I turn my back on the gifts God gave me. What kind of man does that make me?”

“I don’t know, but I suspect you do.”

“Yeah, I do. It makes me a weakling who lets others dictate how I live.”

“Then choose who you want to be.” He nods to prod me along. “What do you desire, Cash?”