“How ‘bout I set up a meeting for you two?He hasn’t been with my label all that long, but we’ve done big things for him.He can tell you what it’s like to work with me.And trust me, Mav’s a straight shooter, like you.And he’s been through shit too, Taz.You’ll be able to relate to him.”
“I don’t know.”
I had a quiet, simple life now.For the first time, ever.I had hard-working, blue-collar buddies who kept their noses clean.I was re-building my relationship with my family.I had a decent job.I’d even bought a cheap fixer upper, that I was re-building, room by room.Life was pretty good.And I didn’t know if I wanted to mess with that, to chase a longshot.
“Can’t hurt to talk to him, can it?”When I didn’t respond, he said, “And if you do decide to sign with us, Mav would probably be the guy I send you out on the road with, so it would make sense for you to meet him now.”
“You’d want me to open for Mav Stone?”This guy was crazy.How the hell could I perform in front of the kind of crowds that guy pulled in?I’d never even sung karaoke in a bar.
“Yeah, eventually.But I’d probably have you do some local fairs and festivals first, until you find your footing onstage.”
“What happened to playing bars and?—”
Luc laughed.“You bypassed that step when your videos went viral and record companies started calling you.”
I would never have taken the initiative to set up gigs.I’d been born and raised in Nashville, loved country music, but never imagined I could be the guy standing on that stage.I didn’t think I had it in me.
“I’ve got a lot to think about, Luc.”I rubbed a hand over my cropped black hair.“Can you give me a couple of days?”
“Only if you agree to meet with Mav in the meantime?He’s taking a break from his tour right now, but he’s back on the road day after tomorrow and I really want you guys to connect before he leaves again.”
“Okay, yeah, I’ll meet him.”I’d never met anyone who intimidated me.Mav Stone was just another guy, who happened to sell millions of records.Man, was I in over my head, or what?
“Good, I’ll text you later with the details.”Luc pointed at me.“And those songs?Your top ten.Can you send them to me later, just so I can have a look?”
“Maybe.”
“Even better,” Luc said, snapping his fingers.“Send me audio recordings.Just on your phone.I want to hear you sing those songs.”
I rolled my eyes.“I’ll see what I can do.”I’d dealt with guys who wouldn’t back down before, and this dude fell into that category.He was a Pitbull.And I didn’t know if I liked him or hated him.
ChapterTwo
Taz
Mav invited me over to his place the following day.He said he’d grill, so we could have a little privacy.
His wife, Codie, met me at the door.She was hot as hell, and looked vaguely familiar.Maybe I’d seen her pictured somewhere with her famous husband.
“Come on in,” Codie said, offering her hand.
I was glad she wasn’t a hugger.I wasn’t big on hugging strange women.Or anyone, for that matter.“Nice to meet you,” I said, forcing myself to look her in the eye.
Her smile seemed genuine, as she closed the door behind me and led me into a large open-concept living, kitchen, dining area.“Can I get you something to drink?”She raised a hand before I could respond, and added, “But I should warn you, Mav and I are both recovering alcoholics, so there’s no alcohol to be had around here.Sorry.”
Ugh.How the hell was I supposed to get through this meeting without a little liquid courage?“That’s okay, whatever you have is fine, thanks.”
She pointed to a live edge wood stool at the massive kitchen island.“Take a load off, Taz.My husband is just getting out of the shower.He’ll be down in a few.”
Her long black hair was pulled up in a messy bun and she was wearing cut off jean shorts, a cropped white tank top and flip flops.No makeup.A woman who could look so hot with zero effort must be a knockout when she was really trying.
“Nice ink,” I said, pointing to a colorful Phoenix tattoo on her abdomen.
She smiled.“Thanks.I’m a tattoo artist, so this is kind of like my business card.I didn’t do the work, obviously, but the design is mine.”
I couldn’t hide my surprise when I asked, “You’re a tattoo artist?”
She laughed as she handed me a glass.A soft drink on ice.“Yeah, I’ve got a shop downtown.”
