“Thanks.”What was I supposed to say to that?I wasn’t used to compliments and didn’t know how the hell to take them.
She smiled, like she could sense my uneasiness.“You’ll get used to hearing how talented you are, trust me on that.You’ll get used to the screaming fans, people stopping you for selfies and autographs and?—”
“Ugh, what makes you think I’d want to get used to that?”
“Because you want to make something of yourself, to make your daughter proud.”
Apparently, the abbreviated version of the story Luc told Avery included my daughter, which pissed me off.She was off-limits.“I don’t know what you think you know about my relationship with my daughter, but?—”
“I know there isn’t one, but you’d like there to be.And I think I can make that happen.”
She was tempting me with the only thing I really wanted: a shot at being a real father.
“How?”
Her half-smile said more than her words ever could.You don’t know who you’re dealing with, buddy.“Give me her name.I assume she’s on social media.I’ll reach out to her.Send her the link to the song you wrote for her, assuming she hasn’t heard it already.Really talk you up, tell her I’m her dad’s new publicist.Any teenage girl would be intrigued, once she realized it wasn’t a scam, of course.”
“I don’t think her mama would go for that.Last I heard, she hates my guts.”Through a lawyer, I’d found out where they were living and how to send the child support payments, but that was all I had.No confirmation from my ex they’d been received, or a word about how our daughter was doing or whether she ever asked about me.
“Fame has a way of softening people up, Taz.Even vindictive exes.So, I’m telling you, if your real objective here is to re-connect with your daughter, while getting your music out there, I can help you do both.”
I leaned forward, elbows on the table, with my hands clasped.“You really think I’m good enough?Because I’m not interested in wasting your time, Luc’s, or mine, just to chase a longshot.”
She laughed.“My friend, I’ve known Luc Spencer a long time and he doesn’t bet on longshots.Ever.If he sees something in you, you’re going all the way to the top.And you can take that to the bank, and cash it, along with all the multi-million-dollar checks that’ll be rolling in.”
I took a deep breath, trying to process everything she promised.If it was true, it would change not only my life, but my family’s lives too.I could finally make up for all the grief I caused them when I was a teenager.
My old man could retire from his job as a long-haul truck driver.My mama wouldn’t have to work long hours as a waitress at a greasy diner anymore.I could pay off the mortgage on the ranch bungalow they’d lived in for forty years.My kid sister could stay home and raise her twins.I could send my daughter to college, without her having to take out student loans it would take years to pay off.
“You want this,” Avery said, leaning forward.“I can see it in your eyes.So, what the hell is stopping you from signing on that dotted line already?Let us make you famous, Taz.”
“Damn it, you’re one hell of a salesperson.Anyone ever tell you that?”
She smirked.“Only every other day.”
“I bet.”I may be crazy, but I’d been accused of that before.At least this time my crazy was legal.“Alright, Avery.You talked me into it.Let’s do this thing.”
I was having beers at Jimmy’s with a few buddies from work, when my fantasy girl walked through the door.Damn.I’d been trying to get her out of my head since she kicked me out of bed a week ago.But she kept taunting me… in the shower, my dreams, while I was driving, working, writing music.She was everywhere.
My friend, Tommy, who’d been the one to upload the videos that changed my life, slapped me on the back as his eyes followed mine to the front door.“Dude, I know you think you’re gonna be a star and all, but that girl is still way out of your league.”
All the guys laughed, and I didn’t blame them.A girl that looked like Grace sleeping with a guy like me was laughable.Yet it happened.And I couldn’t forget it, no matter how hard I tried.
I smirked as I brought the longneck to my lips.“You’d think so, wouldn’t you?”
Tommy frowned, casting one more look in Grace’s direction.She hadn’t spotted me yet, but I had no doubt she’d bail once she did.
“You’re not tellin’ me you’ve tapped that.‘Cause I know if you had, we’d all have heard about it,” Tripp, or as he liked to call himself, The Drywall King, said, laughing.
“I’m not tellin’ you a damn thing,” I said, letting my eyes rest on Grace.
She was wearing tight faded jeans, a fitted, low-neck white top, and high heeled sandals.Reminded me how good it felt to have those legs wrapped around my neck while I made her scream my name.
She finally locked eyes with me.She whispered a few words to her pretty blond friend, and strutted to the bar, ignoring all the appreciative looks from men as she passed.
Huh.She hadn’t bailed when she saw me.What did that mean?Judging by the scowl on her face, she wasn’t interested in listening to my lame-ass apology again, but that didn’t mean I wouldn’t try, one more time.‘Cause it wasn’t every day a guy like me got a shot with a goddess.
“Man, if you’re telling me you banged her, and managed to screw it up,” Tommy said.“You’re dead to me.And I don’t give a shit how rich and famous you’re gonna be.”
