I shake my head. “I’m starting that today. I’ve been working on responding to the copyright suit.”
“My preference is the Phoenix deal,” Tyler says in a clipped voice. “They give him the best royalty rate.”
“It’s about more than money,” Evan says to Tyler.
“But the money is an important aspect,” Tyler counters as his gaze swings back to Evan. “Stop letting your experience with Kickback interfere with your current decision making.”
“And stop trying to shove a record label down my throat,” Evan retorts with a slight growl, and now I feel incredibly awkward listening to this. These two are clearly not seeing eye to eye.
Tyler puts his hands up in a show of capitulation and stands up from the swivel chair. “How about you and I plan on sitting down to talk about this after Emma goes through all the contracts and can boil down the nuts and bolts for you?”
Evan gives a long sigh and nods. “Sure. We can do that.”
“Alright,” Tyler says, and he swings his gaze back to me. “Any idea when you’ll be finished?”
“A few days,” I tell him, factoring in several reads, taking notes, organizing a spreadsheet for easy comparison, and probably some legal research.
This is apparently acceptable to Tyler as he gives me an agreeable smile and says, “We’ll be in Miami by then, and we’ve got a hotel booked there since we’re doing two shows. That will give me and Evan some more room to spread out and go over everything you provide us.”
“Okay,” I say hesitantly, my gaze cutting over to Evan. “I’ll have my recommendations by then.”
Evan gives me an encouraging smile, but then I’m surprised when Tyler says, “We don’t need your opinions, Emma. Just a breakdown of the contracts.”
“Um… okay. I’ll have it ready for you.”
“Good deal,” he says and then heads for the exit. “I’ll see you in the arena for sound check, Evan.”
“Later, dude,” Evan says, and then pushes up from the couch as Tyler leaves. He goes back to the kitchen and starts another cup of coffee brewing.
Taking my seat at the computer again, I start to read the contract I’d pulled up when Evan speaks in a low voice. “Emma… I most certainly want your opinions, not just a breakdown.”
My head snaps up and I look at him with surprise. “My opinions?”
“I’d like some unbiased thoughts,” he explains. “Tyler’s pushing hard for a record deal, and I’m enjoying life as an indie artist. Your thoughts would be appreciated.”
“Well,” I say slowly as my brain cycles through any potential hazards here. When it comes up with none, I say, “Okay… sure… I’ll give you my thoughts. Don’t know they’ll mean much—”
“They’ll mean plenty,” Evan says as he picks up his coffee cup again.
And that right there… the fact he wants to hear what I have to say… well, that just makes my shoulders snap back again and a wave of delight in my job takes over my entire body, causing me to tingle from head to toe.
CHAPTER 9
Evan
I meet Red coming off the bus with Sirius being extremely well behaved on the leash. The humid Miami weather has the dog’s hair frizzed out and Red’s bald head glistening with a sheen of sweat already.
We’d pulled into Miami yesterday around lunchtime, and Red drove us straight to our hotel. The tour had booked me a suite and I had a room arranged for Emma. Even though I’d gotten some decent sleep on the bus as Red drove us from Atlanta to Miami, I spent most of yesterday afternoon napping, as I was exhausted from the Atlanta show, and then had a quiet night to myself by ordering room service and watching movies.
But that show in Atlanta…
It was fucking amazing. Never felt anything like that in my entire life. Once I got past the nerves and was able to remind myself that I was a good musician and people truly liked my work, I was able to revel in the experience of it all. The crowd was fervent for me and their energy became mine. I sang the best of my life with power, clarity, and ranges I didn’t know I had within me.
It was a moment I’ll never forget and while I still have nerves thinking about tonight’s show, I’m more than ready to take it on. I’m almost craving that feeling again.
Emma and I came back to the venue a few hours ago since I’d be doing sound check soon, and she’s been holed up in the bus ever since.
“She still in the same position?” I ask Red as I lift my chin to the bus.
“Yup,” he says in a rumbling voice. “Nose pressed up against that computer. Works too damn much.”
“Agreed,” is all I say as I push past him and the dog. I’d reach down to ruffle Sirius’ fur, but both of my hands are loaded with shopping bags.
Turning sideways, lifting the bags so I don’t trip, I climb the steps and turn into the living area. As expected, Emma’s at her desk, fingers flying on the laptop. She doesn’t even turn to acknowledge me, and I know she heard me coming in.