Chapter 42
Ender
W aiting for her to sign the paperwork is stressing me the fuck out. Most people don't bother reading things. Alara has decided to take her sweet ass time on every single page so far.
I'm trying not to be obvious with my nerves because I don't want any of them knowing what I had added into Addendum B. It won’t matter, as long as she doesn't try to quit the tour before the last show or before we finish recording our next album. Her contract runs consecutively with ours to our record label. As long as we’re with them, she will be with us, a package deal.
It's how it always should have been from the beginning.
Is it legal? I have no idea, and I don't really care as long as she signs. The lawyers can handle it if something ever comes of it. Everything I proposed for Glen to add will only protect her future as an artist. Was it selfish? Sure, but I don't want her walking away from us again.
"What does this mean?" Alara points to a paragraph that refers to conflict resolution.
"This is in all of our contracts." Nix smiles .
I narrow my eyes, annoyed over how much she trusts him.
If I were the one to find her singing at that bar, I would never share her like he offered to.
They would be keeping their eyes in their sockets and their hands to themselves, but I’m selfish.
She deserves better than the four of us.
Too bad she’s about to tie her future directly to the people who let her down without any knowledge.
"It means that even if we fight with each other, we're still obligated to complete the terms of the contract," River encourages.
"This says there is a mediation." She turns to look at me. "What kind of conflict would be bad enough to need mediation?"
"You'd be surprised what some artists try to end their bands over." Nix's hand lands on the top of her thigh, and I clock it immediately.
"Like women," I suggest.
"Or drugs." His smug ass decides to toss back.
"Yeah, or something stupid, like someone eating the last box of cereal that another person was looking forward to having for breakfast," Lane barks out, breaking the tension.
"That was one time." River throws his hands up.
"Cereal? Really?" Alara laughs.
"I was looking forward to it all morning. Then, I go into the kitchen, and what do I find? An empty box. The man put the empty box back in the cabinet. "
"Okay, that makes sense. I would be upset by that, too." Alara's eyes light up.
"You hear that, Riv? Tambourine agrees with me." Lane nudges his shoulder.
What the fuck is up with him calling her Tambourine?
"Tambourine?" Her brows raise.
"Do you prefer Saxophone?" Lane grins like the two of them have some kind of inside joke.
What are they talking about? Clearly, I’ve been missing things.
"Can you not?" She sighs.
"Your signature awaits, Tambourine." Lane gestures to the contract.
"Listen, I'm not trying to interrupt this endearing moment, but if we could move this along, that would be great." Glen glares at Alara.
"How about you not be a dick?" I tilt my head, smiling at him.
He doesn't get to be rude to her. I didn’t stand up for her before, and I won’t make that mistake again.
At least he's keeping his prior knowledge of her to himself.
I made sure he knows she doesn't remember the band, and that we are keeping our past with her to ourselves.
If the memories come back, we can revisit things, but this is the easiest way for now.
Glen thought it was a recipe for disaster, but I don't give a fuck. The guy has some stupid preconception that she's going to be our downfall or something. Glen better fall in line, or he may fall unemployed.
"Apologies, Alara." There's a slight tic in his jaw.
Even if the apology isn't sincere, at least he realizes his place.
"No, you're right. I’m sure it’s fine. I'm just being overly cautious." She shrugs. "Do you have a pen?"
Oh, my sweet siren. You were right to be cautious. Sign that line, and you're not getting away from us anytime soon.
"Here." Nix grabs one from the desk and places it in her delicate fingers.
She glances around the room one last time before saying, "I guess this is official," and signs her name on the dotted line.
My heart slams as excitement takes over. With any luck, she will never find out what I added toward the end of the contract that she didn't get a chance to read.
"Congratulations. You're now the opening act for the Nowhere Forever, Carry Me Home Tour," Glen mutters as he reaches out to grab the paperwork. "I'll have a digital copy sent to each of your emails."
"Thank you." Alara smiles, and for just a moment, my heart feels content.