“It didn’t quite happen like that, but yeah, there was some friendly competition.”
He slammed his hand down. “I like you, Eva. I like you a lot. You’ve got your head screwed on straight. The fact you’ve survived a week on the road with these four speaks for itself. What you and Levi created on stage at Charlotte was music gold. Many artists have tried and failed to unite country and rock but you, missy, nailed it.”
“Thank you, sir.”
Tension rippled in the air. I was still physically restraining Levi underneath the table, while Damon and Hudson watched on, caution in their eyes as Dowager practically foamed at the mouth listening to Eva.
“Okay, let’s get down to business. Masterpiece wants to be the official sponsor of Black Hearts Still Beat…” he paused, letting the information sink in. Levi relaxed into the chair, a long sigh leaving his lips. It was hard to put into words what this would mean for him. A guy who had been shunned by almost everyone in his life except for me and the guys.
“Fuck, yes.” He scrubbed his face. “That’s means everything to us, sir. Every damn thing.”
“I’m glad to hear it, son. But we don’t only want Black Hearts,”—he levelled his gaze on Eva again—“we want you too.”
Eva
“What do you think he wants to talk about?” I asked Letty as we sat in the living area of our suite. The show wasn’t until tomorrow which meant for one blissful night we got to sleep in an actual bed with fluffy covers and complete silence.
“I’m guessing it has something to do with Dowager’s offer?”
The offer Alistair had said we needed time to consider. I still couldn’t wrap my head around the fact there was an offer that included me.
Me.
The door swung open and Riley and Alistair marched into the room. “Sorry we kept you waiting, you must have a lot of questions.”
“Actually,” I said, “I don’t really understand most of what just happened.”
The second we’d left Masterpiece’s building, Levi had wanted to celebrate, but then he and Hudson had gotten into it when the drummer voiced what I had no doubt everyone else was thinking—a deal with Masterpiece tied me to the band in ways no one had comprehended.
“I appreciate it’s a lot to take in. When we signed you on for the tour, none of us could have predicted how quickly things would move. But that’s the industry. Your life really can change overnight.”
“You’re tellin’ me,” I breathed.
“Riley, the papers, please.” She handed Alistair a stack of official-looking documents, unable to disguise her annoyance. “This is an offer of representation, Eva.”
“Representation?” I gulped over the giant lump in my throat.
“It supersedes the existing contract and means that Razorsharp Records becomes your official label.”
“The label wants to sign me?” I wasn’t a recording artist. I’d signed onto the tour to save my parents.
“You’re whipping up a storm, Eva. If we want to capitalize on the interest, we need to act now. It’s likely an extra leg will be added to the tour; an international leg.”
“And you want me to be a part of that?”
“You’re already a part of it, Eva,” he chuckled. “You just need to say the word. We’re only five shows in and ratings are already through the roof. People are responding, just as we’d hoped.”
“Wow, I have no idea what to say.”
“Don’t talk, just listen,” he said. “The label wants to drop an EP.”
I looked to Letty and she clarified, “an extended play record.”
“I know what an EP is,” I murmured.
“Sorry.” She leaned over and grabbed my hand. “This is a good thing, Eva. A really fucking good thing.”
“They have already secured permission to record Zombie and I’m working on Axel’s people to get permission for Sweet Child O’ Mine. Then they’ll want one of your original tracks.”
My eyes almost bugged. This was… it was freakin’ crazy. I was here as a favor to Alistair and the label. Here to help the band, and my parents. I wasn’t here to sign with Razorsharp Records and become a recording artist.
“There was a poll—” Letty started, but I cut her off, shrieking, “A poll? I don’t think I want to know.”
She and Alistair shared a laugh, while Riley looked on with indifference. The band’s sour-faced assistant was really starting to get under my skin.
“I know it’s a lot,” Alistair attempted to reassure me.
“The band—” I started, but he cut me off.
“The band will do whatever is in the best interests of the band, and right now, whether they like it or not, that’s you. Dowager’s offer doesn’t require you to sign with the label, but you will need a manager; a job I am more than happy to continue. The fact he wants you in the first place speaks volumes about his trust in your talent and appeal.”
“Okay, Ali, we get it.” Letty held up her hands. “But maybe, give the girl some space to breathe.”
“Of course. Nothing needs to be decided right now, although these things always have a limited shelf life. Take the night, talk to your parents, talk to your lawyer. Heck, even talk to God if it helps you arrive at an answer. But I will need an answer, Eva.” Alistair checked his watch and stood up. “I have a meeting downtown, but Riley will be around to answer any questions that arise.” Like I would be going to her for anything. “Letty’s right, this is a good thing. The things dreams are made of. Together, me and Razorsharp Records can help you realize those dreams, Eva.”
“Thank you,” I choked out, still stuck on the part where the label was offering to sign me and put me in the studio to record an EP.
“We’ll talk tomorrow. Enjoy a much-deserved night off.”
I forced a smile, unsure if Alistair and I had the same idea about a night off. I’d hoped Letty would be able to show me some of the sights of downtown LA, but instead there was another party. This time it was a label party for one of their newly-signed artists, and the band was required to attend, which apparently meant, I was required to attend.
To my relief, once Alistair left, Riley didn’t stick around.
“Holy shit, Eva, this is huge.” Letty grinned. “I had a feeling it was heading this way but I didn’t want to say anything in case it didn’t.”
“Did that really just happen?” I sank back into the couch, pulling a pillow into my chest.
“Oh, it happened. It so fucking happened. What are you going to do?”
“I have no idea. I mean, I signed on for the tour, that was it. I didn’t really think about what happened after that.” After being diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin, I’d learned not to make long-term plans and take every day as it came. I guess I still hadn’t really broken that mindset. Because nothing was certain. No one could know what tomorrow would bring or the day after that. So I no longer looked far into the future. I couldn’t.
“You should call your parents. This is a huge opportunity, but it will mean life as you know it is over.”