Tessa took Sindy by the arm and pulled her over, excited to make the introduction. “This is Sindy Cavanaugh. She’s an awesome guitar player and an awesome friend. Sindy, this is Audra Abelman-Wilder, Mason’s mom. She’s the one setting up our tour. Oh, and this is Mason’s dad, Jimmy Wilder.”
Lucas chuckled at the way Tessa introduced Jimmy as an afterthought, because Sindy was dazzled at meeting him. Her hand shook as she extended it to Jimmy, too overwhelmed to say anything.
“Welcome on board,” Jimmy said. “I can’t wait to hear you play.”
Sindy shook his hand. “Th-Thank you. I’ve been working very hard.”
“I don’t doubt it.” Jimmy’s wide smile dimpled his cheek, much like Mason’s smile always did. “Tessa’s a beast.”
Sindy laughed awkwardly, still star-struck at being in the presence of three-quarters of Immortal Angel. It was a reaction that Lucas had become used to over the years, but watching Sindy, who was usually filled with composure, tremble at the introduction made Lucas chuckle. If Damien Diamond were to enter the room right now, she’d probably lose all bodily functions.
“Hi Sindy.” Mason’s mom smiled. “It’s nice to finally meet you.”
Sindy extended her hand, but Audra waved it away and gave her a hug instead. “Mason has told us so much about you. I have some great ideas for Prodigy.” Audra looked at everyone as she spoke. “I’ve been thinking a lot about marketing, and I want Prodigy to do their first show opening for Immortal Angel. What do you think?”
Excited chatter erupted as everyone voiced their approval. Everyone except Lucas. “No,” he said, adamantly. The room quieted down, and they all looked at him. “Maybe some time down the road, but not our first show. We don’t need to steal Immortal Angel’s fans.”
Shocked and surprised faces all stared at Lucas, the same way they had when he turned down Mr. Abelman’s deal at Falcon Records.
“Why are you all looking at me like that? We’ve had this conversation before. I told you. I’m not riding Immortal Angel’s coattails. Prodigy is making it on its own.”
Tessa huffed. “Again with this?”
“Nothing’s ever going to change how I feel about this. I want to be recognized for my talent. Formyname. I’m tired of always being referred to as Tommy Blade’s son. I’m not a hand-me-down guitarist.” He looked pointedly at both Tessa and Mason. “You two never get compared the way I do. Is it so hard to understand why it bothers me so much?”
“I understand, son.”
The pain in his dad’s voice cut into Lucas. His dad looked physically wounded. Sadness projected from his usually bright eyes, and the corners of his mouth tugged downward.
Papi folded his arms across his chest, clearly disturbed that Lucas’ remark upset his dad. “I think you should take advantage of who your father is. You should use every possible advantage afforded to you.”
“I don’t want a short cut,” Lucas replied. “I want to make it on my own talent.”
“It’s not a shortcut,” Papi said. “It’s good business sense.”
“I want our own gig.” He hated going against Papi, but he couldn’t be more adamant about being recognized for his own hard work and dedication. He turned to Tessa for reinforcement. “Back me up on this.”
“Fine. I’m done arguing with you.” Tessa turned to Mason for his input. “Where do you stand?”
Mason shrugged with indifference. “I have confidence in Prodigy. Even if we were all totally unknown in the industry, we’d make it to the top. Our music and sound stand out. Opening for Immortal Angel would be really cool, but I’m good with our own gig if it means that much to Lucas.”
Lucas turned back to Papi and was met with a disapproving scowl. Mason’s parents had confusion spread across their faces, as if they couldn’t comprehend why a group just starting out, later in life than most, wouldn’t take advantage of an endorsement from world-renowned musicians. But it was the utterly disappointed and tortured expression on Lucas’ dad’s face that gutted him.
“I’m sorry Dad. It’s just that I want to know we’re famous in our own right.”
His dad nodded, but didn’t reply.
Audra spoke up and changed the subject, breaking the awkward cloud that hung over the room. “We have a photo shoot in a few days so I can get some stills out there. I hope you’re not camera shy, Sindy. We’re going to introduce you to the world.”
Sindy’s face lit up with excitement. “This whole thing is surreal. I can’t believe I’m going to be on TV.”
Audra smiled, amused at Sindy’s enthusiasm. “Get used to it, because all of you are going to be nationwide sensations very soon. Well, we’ve bothered you enough. Get back to making magic.”
With the tension diffused, the entourage of parents left the studio and Prodigy returned to their rehearsal session, which only lasted about another hour before Tessa declared a hiatus until tomorrow. She and Sindy went upstairs, while Mason and Lucas stayed behind.
Mason never moved off his stool and continued to pound on the drums, while Lucas sat on the couch and watched his friend. His mind drifted to visions of the future notoriety and fame Prodigy would reap, and he knew he made the right decision by insisting they make it on their own.
After a half hour or so, Mason abruptly stopped playing, stuffed his sticks into the stick bag, and wiped the sweat from his face with a towel. He glowed. An open-mouthed smile brightened his face and his eyes danced with a euphoric high. “I’m done, bro.” He came down off his stool like a king leaving his throne and tried to give Lucas a bear hug.
