“I thought we could go to dinner first,” Sam says, as she hands us clean clothes. She starts to leave but turns back. “We’re almost done guys and let me just say, it’s been worth it. I think you’ll like the new contract that Moreno has drawn up and if you don’t, we can market elsewhere.” She shuts the door, leaving us to change.
“Did she say new contract?” Harrison asks, as he slips a new shirt on.
“Yeah, could it be we’re already done with our first one already?” I shrug because I can’t remember what we signed. I know Sam is our manager for at least three years. “I’ll ask her at dinner.”
Dinner is a quiet affair in a small Italian restaurant. Sam has made sure all our meals are balanced, no fast food and nothing that is going to weigh us down or make us sick. One stipulation that Harrison asked for is that he be able to run each day and she’s made that happen. She says it won’t always be easy so we should enjoy it while he can. She’s right about the easy part. About a week ago I ventured out with one of the guitarist from Blaze to the mall for clothes shopping. She was spotted immediately and all hell broke loose. Needless to say, our adventure was cut short.
“Sam, can I ask what you meant earlier about a new contract?”
She sets down her fork and raises her napkin to her mouth wiping away nothing. She’s the most impeccable eater I’ve ever seen, nothing like Harrison and I who shovel things in our mouths constantly.
“If you remember correctly, Moreno Entertainment agreed to cut one EP, which we’ve done. Now I’ve told you before, we can look for a record deal with another company or you can stay with ME. It’s your choice.”
I nod, remembering the conversation.
“We’ll want to look at the new contract before we make a decision,” Harrison adds.
“Of course, Harrison, I’m not saying you have to sign it and we can shop around and see what offers I can pull in. Either way, we’ll be cutting a new record when we get back to Los Angeles. Hopefully that has you excited.”
“I’m excited,” I tell her. My fear was that this tour wouldn’t go so well, but it’s exceeding my expectations. I think that’s easy when you don’t know what to expect, but every time I think something is going to fail or completely fall apart, it doesn’t. The road crew that is on the tour with us is fast and efficient. They take care of our equipment as if it’s their own. Each stop has been a thrill ride and Blaze and The Saplings (yes, they named themselves after baby trees) who come on after us, have been amazing to work with. On our nights off we get together and jam in the parking lots where we stay.
The tour bus isn’t that bad either. At first I hated it, but we have our own space, a kitchen to cook in, a table to sit at and a television to watch. There’s a small seating area that we can gather in for a pre-show game plan, but Sam usually holds those meetings in our dressing room. She likes to walk around and wave her hands wildly when she speaks.
We finish dinner and Sam pays our bill. We’re not naive in thinking she’s covering the tab; we know we are footing the bill for everything she does. Way says we’ll be lucky to break even. I’m not in this to make money, just music and right now she’s helping me do that.
Our walk to the nightclub where the party is being held takes us all of five minutes. Sam informs the bouncer who we are and we’re let in right away. This is something else to get used to, the VIP treatment. I’ve yet to be accosted by a fan and I won’t lie, I’m sort of waiting for that moment just so I can say it’s happened to me.
I’m eating the words as soon as I think them when I’m almost bowled over with arms and legs wrapped around me. The intense shrill of screaming in my ear immediately makes me go stiff. I gently put my hands on my assaulter’s hips and push her off of me. But one look at the red hair and I know.
“Layla!”
I pick her back up and twirl her around. When I set her back down her lips are on me in an instant and as much as I don’t want to, I give in. I admit it, I’m lonely. I never thought I’d feel it until now.
“What are you doing here?” she asks.
I run my hand through my hair and look for Harrison who is at the bar chatting up a blond. I look around for Way and Sam, but they’re nowhere to be found.
“Harrison and I are on tour with Blaze, we just performed. This is their after party.”
“Holy shit, Liam, I knew you’d make it.” She steps back and shakes her head. “Wow, look at you. Maybe I should be pissed that you dumped me. I should’ve tried harder.”
Her words make me blush, but I know deep in my heart things would’ve never worked for us.
“You’re looking good, Layla. Come on, let’s find a table.”
I take her hand in mine and lead her through the crowd until I find an empty table with the words Reserved and Sam’s name on it. I let her slide into the booth before me. I place my arm on the back of the pleather seat and lean in so I can hear her.
“So what’s new?”
“Not much,” she starts. “My manager is a douche and I need to hire a lawyer to get out of my contract. He’s a total creep and only wanted to get in my pants.”
I want to ask her if she let him, but that’s none of my business. Sam appears at the table with drinks in her hand.
“Is this your girlfriend? She’s beautiful, Liam.” I make eye contact with Sam when Layla asks me that and notice that Sam’s blushing. She looks down at the drinks and back at Layla, avoiding eye contact with me.
“This is Sam, my manager.” Not correcting Layla about Sam not being my girlfriend seems like the proper thing to do. There was something in the way Sam looked that told me I’d hurt her feelings if I explained any further.
“It’s nice to meet you. I’m Layla.”