I’d give anything for Quinn to reach out to me someday, but I wasn’t holding my breath.I kept trying, maybe once a month, but my texts always went unanswered, and I respected her decision to banish me from her life.
“These songs you’ve been writing, at least the ones I’ve heard online, they cut deep, man.”
I’d always loved music.I taught myself to play the guitar in prison, after my folks visited me one Christmas and gifted me a guitar.They thought it might help to pass the time and they were right.
“I, uh, wrote them in prison.”
“I figured as much.Guys who’ve been through the stuff you have, can write the best songs, if they’re not afraid to tap into it.”
I’d never been a big talker, and I had no interest in seeing a shrink, but writing songs had been therapeutic for me.I’d never expected to make any money off my songs or get recognized, but I figured if they could help even one person who was feeling down, it would be worth it to put them out there.
“How many songs have you written?”
“I don’t know.”I shrugged.“Maybe a hundred or so.”
Luc’s eyes widened.“That’s a lot of material.”
I smirked.“I didn’t say they were all good.”
“Those ones you released online?”Luc asked.“Would you say they’re your best?”
“Nah, those were just a few new ones I played for my buddy.I’m still fleshing them out.”
“Jesus, man.”Luc whistled long and low.“If you’re telling me that’s not even your best stuff, we could really build something here.”
I scraped my hands over my face, trying to process what the hell had happened to my life in the past two weeks, since my buddy started posting those videos online.One day I’d been hanging drywall and installing trim and the next I’d been fielding calls from record execs who wanted to meet me.It was crazy.
“I don’t know what to say, Luc.I mean, I’m stoked you think my music is good enough?—”
“It’s not just your music.It’s your voice.Your look.Your story.You’re what country music fans want right now.”
I didn’t see why fans would want an ex-con, gangbanger, who couldn’t even man up when he was called on to be a father.My old man had a heart attack when I’d been in prison.My mother had breast cancer when I’d been in prison.Yeah, I had sad stories to tell, but I didn’t deserve any sympathy.I’d always been my own worst enemy and deserved all the punishment doled out by the system and the people around me.
“You’re not buying it, are you?”Luc grinned.“If there’s one thing I know, it’s what fans want.And I’m telling you, they love new country music, but they’re feeling nostalgic too.Think outlaw country.Johnny, Waylon, and Willie.A voice like Chris Stapleton with an outlaw’s story.That’s country gold, my friend.”
“If you say so.”I didn’t take anything anyone said at face value anymore.I couldn’t afford to.Getting my hopes up about anything usually ended in disappointment.
“Let me talk to Avery about you.See what we can come up with.In the meantime, can you send me your top ten best songs, so I can have a look, and listen?”
“Uh.”I rubbed a hand over the fabric covering a full sleeve of colorful ink.“To be honest, those things were written on loose-leaf paper.They’re just in a binder at home.”
Luc slapped his forehead.“Dude, think theft.Think fire.What the hell?We can’t afford to lose those songs!”
“We?”I narrowed my eyes, challenging him.“I don’t recall signing a contract with you.Those songs are mine, and I can do what I want with them.”I still wasn’t sold on the idea of cutting albums.I didn’t even know if I had it in me.And when something scared me, my line of defense had always been anger.
Luc raised his hands.“I hear you.But if you think another label can do for you and your career what we can, you’re crazy.”
Crazy.Stupid.Reckless.Self-destructive.I’d heard them all.Just never been called names by a multimillionaire record exec wearing a designer suit before.And I couldn’t say I liked it.
“I think we’re done here,” I said, standing.
“I’ve rubbed you the wrong way, haven’t I?”Luc asked, before I reached the door.“You think I’d try to change you, right?Some slick, flashy brand that made you feel like an imposter?”
“Something like that.”I knew guys like this only cared about making money.
“You know of Mav Stone?You like his music?”
“Yeah, sure.”Everyone who was a fan of country music had heard of that guy.He’d been dominating the country music charts the past few years, and his music struck a chord with fans.Myself included.
