Chapter 14
Chapter Fourteen
GAVIN
Istare down at the numbers the marketing department just slid in front of me, a slew of emotions internally running wild as I look at them in shock. Never in my wildest dreams did I think so many people would preorder my first album. I’m speechless, humbled, and damn fucking proud.
The last couple weeks have felt like a dream, with things going so well both personally and professionally.
We released the cover of the album the same day the second track came out called “My Ride or Die.” The song climbed straight to the top of the country music charts and made its debut in the top twenty of the Billboard charts.
“For a new artist, these numbers are extraordinary. We’re very happy, Gavin, and we hope you are too,” Atticus Langston tells me, everyone around the table nodding in agreement with him.
It’s very rare for Atticus to attend these types of meetings, so the air is thick with tension from his presence.
“I’m beyond happy and grateful,” I say, nodding at Atticus. “Thank you,” I tell everyone, looking around the table. “I’m so thankful for you all and your hard work. Because of everyone, release day is going to be amazing.”
The album drops in three weeks, and it seems unreal that we’re finally so close.
The conversation turns to discussing our schedule for publicity during the album’s release.
Some of it requires out-of-town travel, and I make a mental note to ask Aly if she can get off work to join me for even part of it.
A couple more pressing items are discussed and then the meeting wraps up, and everyone, including me, stands up to leave the conference room.
“Gavin, do you mind sticking around for a minute?” Atticus asks.
“Of course.” I sit back down and plaster a smile on my face, wondering why he wants to speak with me privately. When the last person shuts the door behind them, Atticus turns back toward me and smiles.
“Now that it’s just you and me, we can cut all the bullshit and be honest. Are you really happy at Charisma Records?
” His smile is just as phony as he is, because I know he doesn’t care about my happiness.
All he cares about is if he can make a profit off me and my music.
Record companies shell out a lot of money on their artists, so I know the bottom line is all that matters to a man like Atticus Langston.
“I don’t bullshit people, Mr. Langston. If I had any issues, they would’ve been discussed already.” I look him straight in the eye so he can see I’m serious. “What’s the reasoning behind this question?”
“No reason, other than the fact that you’ve been spotted out publicly at numerous functions held by another record label. The rumor mill amongst our peers is beginning to turn. That is not the type of negative attention I want brought upon us.”
“If you’re referring to functions hosted by Big Little Music, then that’s only because my girlfriend works for them.” I grit my teeth in frustration, since he damn well knows the reasoning. It has only been a handful of outings, most of them not public, so who the fuck is telling him this shit?
“Ah, so you’re serious about the girl?” He gives me a doubtful look, and my hand fists in anger underneath the table.
Fuck, I hated this guy when I was dating his daughter… and I still hate him now.
“Her name is Alyson, and I’ve been serious about her from the moment I met her.”
He stares at me a moment longer before looking down and folding his hands. “I trust you, Gavin, because I know how appreciative you are for everything we’ve done for you. However, I don’t trust Kathleen Davidson. I have no doubt she’s plotting to try to steal you from us when your contract is up.”
“Well, then, I guess you’ll just have to make me an offer I can’t refuse.
” I smile coldly at him and mimic his movements by folding my hands in front of me.
Kathleen Davidson hasn’t said one word to me about joining Big Little Music.
She’s been nothing but gracious and kind every time I’ve seen her.
If I’m honest, I’ve enjoyed seeing how much she values her employees with the amount of employee appreciation functions she hosts, and since there were other spouses and partners at these events, it never seemed odd for me to attend with Aly.
Now that I think about this, the only thing that ever seemed odd is Aly’s reaction to Kathleen.
She completely shuts down and barely looks at her when she’s approached us.
When she does acknowledge Kathleen, her expression always holds a touch of wariness.
I need to remember to ask Aly what’s up between them.
“We’ll worry about that when the time comes. All depends on sales, right?” He raises an eyebrow at me, and I agree with a nod. “Now, onto some other business. I want to rehire you to write for Tori.”
I chuckle softly, not believing how big this man’s balls really are. “I don’t think that’s a good idea, Mr. Langston.”
He knows his daughter cheated behind my back.
Seemed everyone knew except for me. The worst part about it all is that she won’t even admit to her wrongdoings and instead, she’s acted like the victim.
Two weeks ago, she made the nominee luncheon almost unbearable.
I would’ve walked out if it weren’t for Aly, who was bearing the brunt of it all.
Thank God for Aly’s boss, Shane, who found more chairs to cram around the Big Little Music table for us to sit there during the event.
I didn’t give a fuck about what people were saying that night.
All I cared about was Aly and her feelings.
She was more upset that Tori was ruining my big moment than she was about how Tori was treating her.
“She’ll behave herself, Gavin. I’ll make sure of it.”
“I’m sorry, but no,” I tell him firmly, trying to still sound respectful when all I feel is disgust for him right now.
“The lease on your apartment is just about up. How about we sign a new lease and I’ll pay for the next year upfront?”
I can see the steel look of determination in his eyes, and it makes me more than ready to fight back.
“Thank you, but I’m currently looking for a new place to live.
Something bigger.” That’s only half-true.
I want to get out of my place, because I don’t want him to have anything else over my head.
I’ve practically moved in with Aly since the night of the hockey game.
While I like her place a lot, I would prefer us to find something more secure and bigger. Something we can call “ours” together.
“We can move you into one of the penthouses. I personally know there’s one vacant right now.”
I shake my head at him. “No, thank you.”
“I’ll pay you fifty thousand dollars on top of your normal rate and royalties.”
My jaw clenches in anger that this man thinks I have no morals or respect for my girlfriend by accepting his bribes.
“The answer is still fucking no,” I growl and push back from the table, tired of this conversation. Placing both my fists on the table, I lean into it so he can see I’m not playing his games. “I can’t be bought, Atticus.”
“Everyone can be bought, Gavin.” He slithers out of his chair and stands. “Don’t make any rash decisions right now. Sleep on it—you have too much at stake to make the wrong decision.”
What the fuck does that mean? “Are you threatening me?”
“I look forward to hearing from you soon, Gavin.” He doesn’t respond to my question and instead turns around and walks out of the conference room.
Right then and there, I know this will be the only album I ever make with Charisma records.
“He’s got you by the balls, man,” Scotty Wilkins says with a shake of his head. He knew as soon as I walked into the studio that something was wrong by my demeanor, and I couldn’t help but vent to him about it, since he knows firsthand exactly what happens behind closed doors in this industry.
“Do you really think so? I’ve built up a solid reputation as a songwriter without him,” I point out, since I’ve been in Nashville longer than I’ve been signed with Charisma.
“True, but look at his catalog of musicians. He’s got some big ones.”
“I don’t need him to land a big fish. Been there, done that already.” My hard work, talent, and reputation got me working with a couple of big names in country music. Word of mouth is still the number-one best way of getting your name out there.
“Atticus Langston still runs this town and until you’re just as powerful as he is, I wouldn’t piss him off.” He shakes his head. “I would take his offer and just make sure you always have other people in the room with you and Tori.”
“I need to talk to Aly first. I’m not taking the job without her blessing.
” I will not jeopardize my relationship for money.
If Aly doesn’t want me to accept it, then I won’t do it.
“Even if Aly says yes, I still don’t like the idea of being in the same room with Tori, let alone having to work with her again. ”
“It’s just business, Gavin. Leave the past in the past and just act professional.”
I know Scotty’s right and I can be professional while working with Tori, but her behavior has proved she’s not to be trusted.
“How do you like being with Big Little Music?” I ask out of curiosity. I’ve only heard good things so far from other artists, but I know Scotty would tell me straight his honest opinion about them.
“They’ve been very good to me, but I would count them out if you’re thinking about signing with them after your contract with Charisma is up.”
“Why?”
“Because they have a very strict policy of no interoffice dating, which includes the talent.”
My eyebrows shoot up in surprise that he even knows about this rule. “I’m shocked you actually read the employee manual,” I tease, because I still haven’t read the rules at Charisma yet. Scotty doesn’t seem the type to follow the rules anyway.
“I didn’t. I slept with one of the assistants and she got fired. So yeah, they take that shit seriously over there.”
“Ouch. You’re a fucking asshole.”
“I did feel like an asshole. Fortunately, she was able to get another job right away.”
“Do you think that rule would apply to Aly and me? If I ever did sign with Big Little Music, that is.”
He thinks about it for a few moments before answering. “It might not since you would have an established relationship already. They wouldn’t assign her to you though, since that would be a conflict of interest.”
“Yeah, you’re probably right.” The more I think about it, the more I love the idea of working with Aly. But Scotty is right—they wouldn’t put us together.
“Don’t sweat this shit, Gavin. Why don’t you ask Aly about it?”
“I don’t want to bring it up to her just yet. If this record does well, Charisma might want to sign me for another three records.” With the preorder sales what they were, I would be shocked if Charisma didn’t want to renew my contract.
“I thought you were done working with them?” he asks with a confused expression on his face.
“I would like to be, but what if it’s an offer I would be crazy to refuse? At the end of the day, we all want to make money and be able to take care of our families.” I doubt they’ll offer me another contract, but you never know what might happen.
“Then you should take it but what’s the difference between them giving you another contract and taking Atticus’s money to write for Tori again? That’s a crazy offer for you to refuse.” Shit, he has a point. “Either way, you’re still dancing with the devil,” he says with a smug smile on his face.
I hate it when he’s right.
I glance at my watch to see we’ve been gossiping like girls for almost an hour now. “We need to get back to writing so I’m not late for my date with Aly tonight.”
He nods in agreement and picks up his acoustic guitar. “Ok, but here’s my last piece of advice. Talk to Aly, but I highly recommend you take that offer.”
“I’ll think about it some more,” I tell him before we continue where we left off with the song we were working on.