“What in hell do you mean there won’t be another record? Now is the time to get something out there. You’re on top of the world, baby girl. This here, this Jack Simon thing will push you into the stratosphere. Doesn’t even matter if the two of you crash and burn, which, don’t take this the wrong way, will probably happen. But damn, we need to use this while we can. Get the record out and a tour planned.”
“No.”
“What did you say?”
Donovan stood up. She was cold and wrapped her arms around her. “I said no. I’m not touring for at least a couple years. I don’t want to record another record right now.”
“But—“
“No buts, Mama. I love music. I love making it. I love singing it. I love those honkytonks and I love the festivals and arenas. I love everything about it, but mama, I’ve lost my way. I lost the joy, and I need to get that back. I want you to understand. I need you to understand. I’m taking back my life and cleaning house.”
Donovan waited a few seconds.
“Mama?”
Her mother cleared her throat. and Donovan could picture her on the other end of the line, mouth pursed in anger.
“Did he put you up to this?”
“No.”
“I don’t believe you. Jack Simon never liked me.”
“Jack didn’t like the way you treated me is all.”
“Well then,” Jayleigh said, her voice rising so much that Donovan frowned. Her mother sounded like a bona fide crazy person. “He’s not going to like this.”
Uneasy, Donovan glanced at the desk and her phone.
“What have you done?”
“That there television show Hollywood Circus contacted me.”
Donovan closed her eyes, heart sinking. “And?”
“They’re willing to pay big bucks for an exclusive. They want some dirt, and since I have some, it seems like a good fit for me.”
“You’d sell me out for few thousand dollars?” Should she be surprised?
Harsh laughter filled the room. “It’s a hell of a lot more than a few thousand, Donovan, but if you let me back in, then we just keep all that nastiness to ourselves.”
Donovan thought her mother couldn’t hurt her anymore. Wow. She’d been wrong about that.
“Not gonna happen.”
“I think you need to take some time darlin’.”
God, she hated that patronizing tone.
“No.”
“Think about it.”
Donovan was done. “There’s nothing to think about. I’m not going to let you blackmail me with empty threats.”
“How do you know they’re empty? Think about it baby girl and then get back to me.” Her mother sounded as if they were talking about the weather. “I’m giving you until tomorrow morning.”
Donovan shook her head, eyes on the window and the lake beyond. Boats dotted here and there, but she could tell that in the last hour alone, they’d doubled. Who knew how many would be out there by tomorrow? The media circus was already in full swing.