Chapter 2
Chapter Two
QUINN
TheFriendlyGhost
You think I need a cat?
Why is that?
CatsRCool
I feel like you’re lonely.
How can you tell I’m lonely by a text message?
I don’t know. Are you?
I mean, some days I think I am.
Is today one of those days?
I think so.
Can I help make it less lonely?
Well, you’ve already made it less lonely right now
But back to this whole cat thing
What’s there to get back to?
I think you need a cat
Why not a dog?
Well, you said you play hockey
I don’t think hockey and a dog would mix
So a cat is a good idea?
Yes. Cats are self-sufficient.
And they can be left alone for long stretches of time without you worrying about them.
So that’s your reasoning for getting a cat?
It’s that I can leave them alone? Won’t they be lonely?
Cats do well on their own
And you wouldn’t be lonely.
So you think I am lonely
You just said some days you are
Okay, this whole conversation is getting off topic
Promise me you’ll at least think about it
I will
Only because it’s you and I know that if I don’t say that, you’ll keep bugging me
You’re right
I will keep bugging you
Only because I worry about you
It’s a good thing you’re cute
You know, you’ve never actually seen what I look like
I know
Because for some reason, you still won’t go out on a date with me.
I have my reasons.
I know.
Maybe if you get a cat, then we can meet
Well, now I really should get a cat just so we can finally meet
Don’t get a cat just so you can see me
I mean, what if you hate the cat?
Well, what if the cat hates me?
How could anyone hate you?
You’d be surprised
But what if you like the cat more than me?
Likely possible
Now I’m revisiting this idea
Think about it
Locking my phone, I stuff it into my oversized tote bag and fidget with the ends of my long, blonde hair. I never had nervous tics before. Having been in the spotlight for as long as I can remember, I’ve always had a spine of steel.
Lately? It seems that steel is wavering. Like when I’m sitting in my lawyer’s office.
Floor-to-ceiling glass windows overlook the Nashville skyline. Pinks and oranges fade to dark blues as night creeps in. One of the perks of being a famous pop star? You can meet after hours so people don’t see you coming and going.
This isn’t the first time I’ve been in this office, and it won’t be the last. Meeting after meeting with my lawyer and Eric’s lawyer has gotten us nowhere. The last thing I want is for this to go to trial and become a public fiasco.
Fishing out a piece of gum from my oversized purse, I pop it into my mouth and take a deep breath.
It’s all going to work out.
One of the paralegals, Megan, greets me. “Miss Rose. I apologize for your wait.”
“Not a problem.”
I heft my bag over my shoulder and follow her back to Rebecca’s office. A waterfall feature trickles, the melodic tune echoing around the quiet office.
My lawyer, an older woman with gray hair, is sitting behind her all-glass desk when I enter. In a neat pin-striped suit, she’s not one to mess with.
“Genevieve. Thanks so much for coming in tonight.” She stands, thrusting her hand out to me.
Her corner office looks out over Broadway. People are spilling out of the hockey arena. I wonder when Jasper will head home.
The Knights had an early afternoon game that I watched the beginning of before coming to my meeting.
He didn’t look his best last week, but from what I could tell, he cleaned it up today. The thought of talking to him tonight is the only thing getting me through this meeting right now.
“I appreciate you meeting with me after hours.”
She grins back at me. “For my biggest client? Anything.”
I’m her biggest client?
Considering the fact we’re fighting to get the money owed to me, I don’t know about that.
“I wish I had better news for you,” she says, waving a hand toward one of the black leather chairs.
“Do you have any updates?”
She nods, a grim look washing over her hard features. “Unfortunately, the employee who works for the label has decided not to testify.”
“What? Why not?” It bursts out of me before I can stop it. “He’s probably using my money to pay for some high-powered attorney to intimidate his employees into not speaking out.”
She holds her hands up, trying to quiet me. “He’s worried about his job. You know how hard it can be to find a job in the music industry.”
This time, instead of picking at the ends of my hair, I twiddle my thumbs. “He was our best witness.”
“We’ll issue a subpoena to compel him to come to court and testify. We’re not out of options.”
“And if he decides not to testify and be held in contempt?” I lean back in the chair, crossing one leg over the other.
“I’ve got my paralegals working on other options here. We’re combing through Eric’s bank records now.”
I snort. “I’m surprised he gave those up.”
“Like I said, I think they’ll lead us to where the money is.”
“This is so damn frustrating.” I shove a hand through my hair.
“I know. I was hoping for better news, but at the very least, it looks like we have a court date set for the end of February.”
That snaps my spine straight. “February? Really?”
Rebecca nods as the paralegal in the corner takes notes of our meeting. “With depositions finished and no settlement offer being accepted—”
“Heaven forbid I ask for what I earned,” I interrupt.
“I think,” Rebecca continues, “we have a fair judge, so I think it could work out in our favor.”
“Really?”
For the first time in months—hell, years—there’s a glimmer of hope.
“Yes. I don’t want you to get your hopes up, but I think she’ll give us a fair and impartial trial.”
Even though I didn’t want to go to court, if it means putting this whole debacle behind me, I’ll do it.
“I’d stop singing today if it meant Eric didn’t get another dime from me.”
“He knew what he was doing,” Rebecca says, shifting a large file on her desk. I know it’s mine because it keeps growing every time I come. “I don’t think it’ll come to you not singing anymore.”
“Just starting over with a brand-new label and manager and no money to my name.”
“You really think you’d be starting from scratch?” Rebecca asks, a hint of annoyance in her tone.
“Recording a new album takes time and money—”
“And a label that would be willing to invest in you,” she clarifies. “Even though Eric has been skimming off the top from you for years, you’re still one of the biggest names in pop music.”
“I hate that I was so taken,” I confess.
“He is twelve years older than you. He knew exactly what to say to get you to sign that contract without thinking twice.”
Back when I was eighteen and first met Eric, he said all the right things. I didn’t look twice at my contract. Hell, getting a contract was the most exciting thing to ever happen to me.
When the fame and success started coming in, the money…wasn’t there. Eric fed me every line to tell me why I was only making pennies.
Travel expenses.
Recording time in the studio.
Marketing costs.
Considering he was one of the youngest music producers at the time, I believed him. Every artist he signed turned to gold.
It wasn’t until I was in the hospital, dehydrated last year from running myself into the ground for him and his label, that I started looking into it.
That’s when everything began to fall apart.
“Look, Genevieve, we’re doing everything we can to make sure that you get what is yours. I won’t stop until you get every penny.”
All I can muster is a weak smile. “Thanks, Rebecca.”
“Look, go home and relax. Have a glass of wine and try not to worry too much about this, okay?” She drops a warm hand on my shoulder.
“Okay.” I stand, slinging my black snakeskin leather tote over my shoulder.
It was the one impulse buy I allowed myself when I signed my contract. Something I still use to this day. Even though I was suckered into a contract by a man with a charming smile, my music and my voice earned me this.
I can’t change the past, but now? All these years later, I’m fighting for my career.
Fighting for what’s mine. Fighting to not be a footnote in a scandal. Fighting to take back the stage.
For me and no one else.
As I head back down the elevator toward the parking garage, I think all the good thoughts that the judge will rule in my favor.
And maybe, just maybe, I’ll talk to Jasper tonight.
After all, talking to him makes everything better.