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Reed’s eyebrows shoot up. But that’s the only “tell” that his mind is racing. He looks calmly at me. “And you, Fish Taco? What ‘side project’ are you excited about?”
My heart is thumping. “Alessandra’s album. I’m going to co-write and produce it.”
I’d caption the tilt of Reed’s head and arch of his eyebrow as, Is that so?
Suddenly, I realize I probably should have at least given lip service to the fact that River Records “owns” Alessandra, as an artist, every bit as much as it “owns” 22 Goats. Which therefore means I probably should have said, “I’d very much like to produce Alessandra’s album. Please.” But I don’t have the time or energy to bullshit this man. The truth is I’m not walking out of this room today without that producer job in my pocket.
Reed sinks into his armchair and steeples his fingers. “Zeke is already locked and loaded to produce Alessandra’s album.”
“Yes, I know. And I think Zeke is an incredibly talented guy, obviously.”
“He’s one of the best.”
“He is. But he’s not the right man for this job. Alessandra needs a producer who understands her and will bring out the absolute best in her. And that someone is me. Not Zeke.”
The slightest hint of amusement flickers in Reed’s dark eyes, but he says nothing.
“Alessandra feels safe with me in a way she doesn’t feel with Zeke,” I continue. “Or anyone else, for that matter. Not even Georgie. You saw what I did for Ally at the coffeehouse during the music video shoot. That wasn’t a fluke. What I did for her then, I’ll do it again while co-writing and producing every song. This album will be our joint labor of love. Ally and I will work on it, day and night. Round the clock. We’ll eat, sleep, and breathe this album. And the result will be something amazing. I guarantee it.”
Reed takes a long moment to process before exhaling a long, steady stream of air. “Look, Fish, in a vacuum, it’d be a no-brainer to say yes. The problem is timing. As you boys know, we’ve already set the wheels in motion on your album and tour—”
Dax interrupts, “You’ll just have to un-set the wheels, then. The question is this, Reed. Would you rather 22 Goats keep making music, on the timeline we’ve suggested, or for us to burn out, sooner rather than later, and quit the whole fucking thing because the band has started to feel like a gilded cage?”
Well, damn. Dax has Reed’s attention now. Not to mention mine. I think this boy just laid down an ultimatum. A threat to quit the band, if Reed doesn’t make this work, exactly as requested. Which, of course, would be a tragedy for all of us. As much as I’m dying to produce Alessandra’s album, I certainly don’t want my own band to break up. I love being in 22 Goats. The truth is, I want it all.
“You’re feeling like you’re burning out, Daxy?” Reed asks. And it’s impossible to miss the genuine concern in his voice. In this moment, he doesn’t sound like Reed Rivers, founder and CEO of River Records, anymore. He sounds like Dax’s brother-in-law. Violet’s big brother. Jackson’s uncle.
“Honestly, yes,” Dax says. “But not when it comes to the music itself. It’s just the rest of the shit that sucks me dry, man. I need to slow down now, so I can keep doing this until I’m old and gray. That’s what I want. To be a part of 22 Goats forever, until we’re three old geezers doing a ‘reunion tour’ for an audience of old geezers and their kids and grandkids.”
We all chuckle at the imagery.
“But I’m at a fork in the road,” Dax admits. “And I can’t ignore that any longer. I’m tired, man. I’m so tired.”
Reed looks surprisingly emotional. “Thank you for your honesty, Daxy,” he says. He pauses to collect himself. “As long as we’re honest with each other, we can find a solution that suits everyone.” He takes a deep breath. “We’ll make this work, okay? I can do whatever the fuck I want. That’s the best part of being me.” He addresses me. “Produce your girl’s album, Fish. Make her shine.”
My heart lurches in my chest. “I will.”
“I know you will. What you did for her in New York, at the shoot, that was nothing short of brilliant.” He looks at Colin. “Congrats on that movie. If you need any introductions in the entertainment industry—maybe a good talent agent—I know a lot of people.”
“Thanks. I’d love some introductions.”
“Clive is a good man,” Reed says. “He genuinely cares about you boys. But his specialty isn’t fielding offers for acting and modeling. It’s giving investment advice. You’ll want someone in your corner who’s in the mix in Hollywood. I’d suggest asking Keane for an intro to his people. If that doesn’t work out, for any reason, ask me. I’ll set you up.”
