Finding My Way (Beaumont 4)

The sound of heels clackity-clacking on the floor comes from behind us. I stiffen from nerves. My palms sweat and my heart races. I’ve never been this on edge before. Everything that I’ve worked for is either going to be made or destroyed today. She could change her mind. She could decide that we’re not what she’s looking for or tell me that Harrison’s not needed. Thing is, if she says that, I’m out. I want to do this with him.

We both stand when she comes into view. I pull at my suit jacket, straightening it out. I assume Harrison does the same. I’m too scared to look away from Ms. Moreno to check and see if he’s as on edge as I am.

“Liam, happy you could make it.”

As if I’d pass this up.

“I’m Sam,” she tells Harrison as they shake hands.

“Harrison James.”

“Follow me.” She turns and walks away and we follow. It’s then that I realize I’d follow this woman anywhere because I have no doubt she’s the key to getting what I want. She leads us into a large office and sits in a chair similar to Sterling’s.

“We’ll cut right to the chase,” she says as she pushes a stack of papers toward us. “We want to represent you and cut your first record. I have no doubt that you want a bigger label, but that’s not always best. You’ll be a little fish in a big pond and here you’ll have my full focus and access to the best of everything.”

We leaf through the papers. There are words that seem foreign, like royalties, percentages and rights. Each time I read a new sentence my head spins a little bit more.

“I think we should have a lawyer look at this,” Harri

son says and I agree. All of this seems to be too much.

“Understandable and expected,” she says, leaning forward. “Forgive me for being forward here. You’re young, Liam. I’m guessing about twenty.”

I stiffen and adjust in my seat. I can feel Harrison’s gaze upon me and I’m afraid to look at him. I didn’t lie to him about my age. I just never corrected anyone when they assumed I was older. There’s a difference.

“Nineteen,” I correct, clearing my throat.

“And naïve. You should hire counsel, either together or separately. Take them the contract and have them call me with any questions. It’s standard, straight across the board. Same you’ll find with any other agent.”

I nod, holding the papers in my hand.

“Take a couple of days, read it over, talk to your lawyer. When you’re ready to sign, I’ll be here.”

I read through the papers one more time questioning whether I really need a lawyer. A hundred thoughts race through my mind. What if he tells me to ask for more or seek out another agency? I don’t want that. I want to perform. I want to be somebody. I wanted this before I knew I did and now it’s in my hands. I can find a lawyer and he could tell me one of two things: sign it or walk away. And I’ll be damned if I’m going to walk away.

“Can you give us a minute, Ms. Moreno? I’d like to talk to Harrison in private.”

“Yes, of course.” She leaves her office, shutting the door behind her.

“What are you thinking?” Harrison blurts out his question before I have a chance to even formulate a thought.

“I’m the first to admit I don’t know jack shit about contracts other than what I’ve learned from my grandma. I’ve seen a few of hers and I know they’re not the same. But do you really want to take a few days to find a lawyer or do you want to sign?”

“You’re only nineteen?”

I nod, feeling a bit ashamed for not coming clean. “I dropped out of college to move here. I was on a scholarship to play football at the University of Texas and I walked away from everything to start over.”

“Holy shit.”

“This is what I want,” I continue. “This is why I’m here. If you’re not feeling it, you can walk away with no questions asked, no hurt feelings. I want to sign. I don’t want some overpriced lawyer trying to dick around the contract to make it more lucrative for them.”

Harrison runs his hand through his hair, undoing the work he’s put into it to keep it from falling into his eyes. “When we arrived I asked if you were scared and you said yes. I said if you were never scared you’d never take a chance. I think we should be scared and take a chance here. The contract is for three years which, when you think about it, isn’t a long time. We’re going to make a record and they’re guaranteeing airplay. Those are two things that we don’t have now. It doesn’t say I have to quit Metro and you live with your grandma so it’s not like we’re hurting for money right now.”

Every point Harrison makes is valid. “Do you think we should sign?”

“Yeah, I do. We have nothing to lose. I have one concern though?”

“What’s that,” I ask.