“Mike, why didn’t you tell me Raven was coming in today?” she asks.
“I didn’t know, but it’s a nice surprise.” He pulls Raven into a hug.
I cough loud enough to bring his attention to me and give him a look that says let go of my girl–now.
He laughs at me and steps back. I’m not sure what he thinks is so funny because to me there is nothing funny about another guy touching Raven.
“Mom, Raven and Declan are together. At least, I think they’re together since she’s here today.” He tells his mom.
“Yeah, man. Hope you don’t mind but we wanted her with us.”
“Not a problem at all. I think it’s pretty awesome, she’ll get to hear some of the new music you recorded.”
Raven eyes meet mine with worry. I shrug at her and motion for her to get back by my side.
Mrs. Jacobs’ wave’s goodbye as Mike leads us to a conference room. There are two guys and one woman waiting on us. I recognize one of the sound technicians from Charleston but don’t know the rest of them.
Mike takes on introductions, “Y’all already know Dan, but this is Kelly, my assistant, and Jared, one of our marketing associates.”
We get through the handshakes and sit to let Mike lead the meeting. Kelly mostly takes notes, but I catch her staring at me more than once. I make sure to hold Raven’s hand possessively letting her know I’m taken. Mike asks Dan to play the four tracks, and he hits some buttons on the machine in front of him.
At first, I don’t even recognize our sound. I’ve listened to our playbacks for years, but with the technology Dan used, we sound incredible. No one moves or speaks the first three songs. Blake, Nate, and Cooper look at me because we all know what’s coming next. Mike glances my way and grins.
The last song starts with a badass intro from Blake. When I start to sing, it’s raw, it’s painful, and it’s soul-crushing. I relive every memory of writing and then recording this song. This was the first song I wrote in my drunken stupor this summer. As the song plays on, the beat picks up and the riff lightens the broken emotion. The last verse closes the song by bringing the broken hearted lovers back together. When it ends the whole room is silent.
Raven breaks the silence. “Mike, I need to use the Ladies room. Can you tell me where to go?” Her voice cracks and I curse myself for not warning her.
I stand up to go with her and she doesn’t argue. When we get into the hallway, I see a few tears run down her cheeks, but she doesn’t say anything. I wait outside the bathroom for her trying to think of what to say.
When she comes out, she’s pulled herself together, but there’s sadness in her eyes.
“Baby, I’m sorry I didn’t warn you. I had no idea how it sounded.”
“Don’t be sorry, it was beautiful. It took me by surprise. Really, I love it. What’s it called?”
“‘Surviving.’”
She lets out a small laugh. “That sounds appropriate. Like I said, it really is beautiful.”
“Babe, thanks for the compliment, but I don’t think calling Sayge’s music beautiful is the right word.”
“Why not? I think it’s a great word.”
“It is if we’re talking about you, but Sayge is a rock-and-roll band. We like more manly terms.”
“Oh my God, you’re a dork. Let’s get back in there before they think I’ve completely lost it.”
We link our hands together and head back in to discuss the future.
After we sit back down, Kelly hands out a binder to everyone and apologizes to Raven for not having one for her. The implication is obvious, she didn’t know Raven would be with us. I scoot Raven’s chair closer to me and explain we can share.
Mike has outlined a detailed and thorough marketing plan for Sayge taking us through the next four months.
“First and most importantly, we need a debut song. I personally have a favorite, but I want you to choose. I need to know which of these songs you want me to start with.”
The guys look between each other with a silent understanding. Nate nods his head at me to be the speaker for the group.
“I think we’re all prepared to move forward with “Surviving” if Raven agrees to it.” She tenses against me and all eyes in the room are on her.