Total pages in book: 116
Estimated words: 111253 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 556(@200wpm)___ 445(@250wpm)___ 371(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 111253 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 556(@200wpm)___ 445(@250wpm)___ 371(@300wpm)
“Parker,” Aspen called. “Can I talk to you for a minute?”
I headed her way while the guys strapped up. “What’s up?”
“I know you’re struggling with lyrics,” she started, and I rolled my eyes before she finished. “Don’t give me that. This is your job, and it’s my job to make sure you do your job. If you can’t do your job, then it’s my job to do what I can to make it happen.”
“I’m working on it.”
“I know. And usually, that would be enough, but we’re doing a big push this year. You’re on the cusp of being a great. A Rolling Stones, Foo Fighters, Led Zeppelin. Parker, this is the push to be legendary forever and not just a forgotten band who almost made it.”
“I know that,” I growled.
“Good, because I wanted to talk to you about bringing on a songwriter.”
“No. We write our own music.”
“And if you were actually writing anything, I’d believe you.” She matched my glare with a dark one of her own. Aspen was the record label owner’s daughter. She had a lot to prove, and because of that, her determination to see us succeed broke through any barrier in her way. “Listen, I get writer’s block,” she said softer. “I’m not saying we just buy some lyrics. I’m saying we find a way to get someone to work with you. Even if that person just comes in and says something absurd that sparks a song for you, then that’s good enough. Even if you don’t use a thing they create, I just need you to create.”
Pacing away, I dug my hand into my hair and tugged before walking back. “And what about the tour? How are we doing all this? We’re already planning on recording on the road where we can.”
“Leave that up to me. I just need to know you won’t fight me on this if I set it up.”
I wanted to. I wanted to tell her and whoever she hired to fuck off because I didn’t need them. The guys’ laughter nabbed my attention, and I looked over at the three guys who I’d do anything for.
I hated this rut that shrouded my thoughts in nothing. Lyrics usually came to me like oxygen to my lungs, but lately, I’d been deprived. Probably because on this path to becoming legendary, there was limited rest. I loved every part of this job—it’d been my dream since I was a kid, and every person that doubted me, only drove me harder—one person in particular.
When that one person was your own mom, you didn’t take breaks, and you didn’t pull back from the hard stuff to succeed. I just wish succeeding could feel a little easier for once. Kind of like it did when I’d had Nova at my side. She’d slipped her hand in mine, and the future flowed together like pieces of a puzzle snapping in place. I’d almost hoped talking to her might have caused another surge of inspiration—she’d always been my muse.
But it was hard to use your muse when they didn’t pick up the phone. Which left me still stuck in my rut.
“I won’t fight you,” I gave in.
“Good,” she said, her red lips stretching into a smile.
I walked up on stage and grabbed my guitar. Aspen rambled on about our schedule while we got ready to run through our set.
“Also, Parker, you have a date with Sonia tomorrow night.”
Sonia was a model-turned-actress I’d been photographed with at an awards afterparty last year. When the media had a field day with the photos, Aspen concocted a plan to formulate a fake relationship between us since the fans went crazy imagining all the songs we wrote were about Sonia and me. Our sales skyrocketed, and Sonia hadn’t hesitated to use me as much as I used her.
I didn’t hate it because every once in a while, Sonia and I fucked after our dates and the release without any pressure of what came next was nice. It didn’t hurt that her hair looked a lot like Nova’s.
Not many women had that deep red hair, but I did my best to find them all and fuck the desire for redheads out of my system. Spoiler alert: it didn’t work. I just got labeled as having a type. Which I guess I did.
Anyone who reminded me of Nova.
Aspen being the businesswoman she was, turned it into a contract that strangled me more than helped.
“It’s dinner at a restaurant opening, so maybe get the scowl off your face,” Aspen reprimanded. “It should be nice.”
“Yeah, nice,” Ash scoffed, imitating a blow job.
Brogan made humping motions, and Oren wrapped both arms around himself like he was mid-make-out session, adding breathy moans for effect.
“You guys are gross,” Aspen sneered. “I’ll see you in the morning. Don’t be late.”
Before I could object, she turned away. Usually, I didn’t mind the arranged dates, but ever since seeing Nova—even for that quick flash—a date with Sonia was the last thing I wanted to do.