Chapter 3 – Bea
“Can you believe it?” I scream while jumping up and down with Blakely and Priscilla in my hotel room. I called them over after learning about the popularity of our video.
“It’s incredible!” his girlfriend says, and by the way she’s looking at him, I can tell she is filled with pride.
“Oh, my God. I should probably tell my agent.”
I pulled out my phone and checked how many views the video had before I called her.
“Three million, Carrie!” I say after she picks up.
“What? Good morning to you, too.” She’s kind of grouchy, but she’s a straight shooter, and I appreciate that.
“My video with Blakely singing In My Dreams has gotten three million views since someone in the audience posted it two nights ago.”
“Are you serious?”
“Yeah. Go check it out for yourself.”
“Holy shit! You understand that this is going to change your entire life, don’t you?”
“I mean, I hoped it would mean something great for my singing career.”
“I guarantee you that it will. Record companies are going to be reaching out to both of you.”
Blakely’s phone goes off.
“Um, Bea…”
“Sorry, Carrie. I gotta go. Talk soon.”
I hung up and listened to the call he had since put on speaker.
“Okay, sorry. She’s listening.”
“As I was saying, my name is Kassidy Jepson. I work in AR for Peninsula Records.”
My eyes widen. “Peninsula?” I mouth.
Blakely smiles and nods. They’re one of the top labels in the world.
The woman continues talking, “Someone on my team happened upon your video, and we’d like to invite you to come in and meet with us…”
“Both of us?” I ask.
“Yeah. We think you’d make a fantastic act.” I only ever thought of myself as a solo artist.
“We’re definitely interested,” Blakely says.
“Great. Can we set something up tomorrow?”
“Wait—I’m supposed to go back to the States today.”
He covers the microphone with his hand. “Well, extend your trip. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, Bea.”
I know he’s right, and I hope Marco will understand. Although I know the girls will also be disappointed. But they’ll get it someday when they’re grown and chasing their dreams.
“Fine,” I say.
“Yes. Okay, we’re in,” he tells her. “Your offices at five. Got it. Thank you.”
That call ends, and we dance around some more.
“I can’t believe this is happening. Our dreams are literally coming true.” I’m holding both sides of my head with my elbows jetting out.
“I know. One video. One video is going to change our lives,” he comments.
“But are you okay with us being an act?” I ask after we calm down a little bit.
He shrugs one of his shoulders. “Why not? We obviously sound great together. Are you having reservations about that?”
“Well, I only envisioned myself as a solo artist.”
“Me too. But if this is how our success has to be built, I say so be it. We can always release solo shit down the road.”
“That’s true.”
Priscilla jumps in. “And if he’s going to team up with a woman, I’m glad it’s someone like you.” She hugs his side.
“I’m not sure if that’s a compliment or an insult.” I giggle. “If it’s a compliment, you’re insinuating that I’m a good friend who would never steal another girl’s man. Or if it’s an insult, you’re saying I’m too ugly for him to want in the first place.”
She laughs. “Obviously, the good friend one.”
“Oh. Well, then, thank you.”
“It also doesn’t hurt that you’re already in a serious relationship,” she adds.
“About that.” I slump and fall on the bed.
“What?” Blakely asks after plopping next to me.
“I’m worried Marco is going to be upset about me staying here a little longer.”
“It might be longer than a little bit, Bea.”
I sit up. “What do you mean?”
“Well, if we sign with Peninsula, they may want us to tour around here first. I mean, it was likely a British person who first posted the video, and that will always be our origin story.”
“Oh. I guess I figured we’d go to the U.S.” At least that way, I can stop back home from time to time when we get close enough. And that caveat is the only thing that made Marco say he was comfortable with me even pursuing music. I told Carrie that I had to be at least one state away every two to three weeks.
He shakes his head. “And that might be the case. I don’t know. I’m just saying.”
“Stop talking about the technical details. For right now, we need to celebrate!” His girlfriend butts in to say.
As I was supposed to leave today, I don’t have a gig booked. So, I’m actually available for once.
I text Marco quickly to tell him that I have to stay a few more nights. I apologize about a thousand times.
“Where should we go?” I ask after that’s all taken care of.
The couple exchanges a look and then says, “Slim Jim’s.”
We grab a bite to eat first to prepare and line our stomachs for all of the liquor we are likely going to consume.
Then, we go into the bar, and it’s pretty grungy…but in the best way. There are bras hanging from the ceiling, and the floor has an indeterminate “stick” that no mop could remove.
“Hey, Tubbs!” Blakely calls out to the larger bartender.
I worry he’s insulted the man, but he laughs and waves instead. “What’s up Blakely?”
“Oh, not much. We just had a video go viral, and we have a meeting with Peninsula Records tomorrow.”
“What? Congratulations. That’s amazing. What’ll you have?”
“Whiskey Highball for me.”
“Oo. I’ll do that too,” Priscilla agrees.
“I should prepare you, Tub. She is American and doesn’t have a British liver.”
“Is that a challenge?”
He throws his hands in the air.
“Fine. I’ll have whatever they’re having. But make mine a double.”
“Whoa!”
“You’re a badass,” Blakely says.
“You bet your ass I am.”
We have a few more before I hear that I’m starting to slur my words. I also know I’ve had too much because I ask for a cigarette.
Blakely hands me one, and we go outside to smoke together. The cold air is a little sobering.
He laughs at me when I can’t flick it with one hand like experienced smokers seem to be able to do.
“You just have to do this.” He shows me.
“I can’t do that.” I try several more times and fail.
“You’re ridiculous.”
“So, it seems like you’re a regular here.”
“Yeah,” he exhales a cloud of smoke. “I frequent.”
“Why this place?” I ask in between drags.
“I just like the vibes. And the service is always good.”
“I see.” Then, I laugh.
“What’s so funny?”
“I was just thinking that if you come to America, you can’t call these what you Brits do.”
“A f—”
“Don’t say it! That’s a derogatory and offensive term over there.”
“You Americans are so sensitive. This is exactly what I’d be talking about if I said that word.” He holds it up and points at it.