Alex presses his lips together tightly before saying, “Has Kate given any more thought to joining you for the meet-and-greets or VIP sessions? It would be another way to allow her to spend more time with you.” He holds my gaze, knowing she was a hard pass when this subject came up last time.
I sigh, blowing out a loud breath. “I’m sure she will at some point. Probably once everyone knows we’re a couple. Until then, we’re trying to fly under the radar. We’re not hiding our relationship, but we don’t want to make it blatantly obvious.”
“Noted,” Alex replies coolly.
“Is it my turn yet? Because I’m not rolling over like the rest of you,” Jason says, glaring at everyone. “Jake, you know how this works. Your schedule is set months, if not years, in advance. Just because you’ve decided to fall in love doesn’t mean it gets to change. I had to move fucking mountains to get you time off when your mom died. Call in favors and make promises I’malready regretting and will likely kick myself for in the future.” He rubs his hands over his face and sighs. “I’m sure Alex and the team can make some slight tweaks to your daily tour schedule, but that’s it. I need you in Nashville almost every day when you’re not on tour. The only exception is when you’re traveling somewhere for the label or whatever PR Anna deems a must-do.”
I exhale deeply, closing my eyes for a few seconds. I knew Jason had to pull strings to allow me to stay in Southmount and Chicago for so long. He’s refused to tell me what it entailed, and I’m beginning to wonder whether the cost is higher than I might have thought.
“I can try, and I meantry,to get you more flexibility in the future, but I can’t make any promises,” Jason says, aggressively rubbing his temples. “The reality is, both of you need to accept that this is your life. If Kate can’t understand what your lifestyle demands, I don’t see how any of this works.”
Is he fucking serious?
“Oh. Look at the time. Jake has another meeting. We’ll talk to all of you later,” Max adds, quickly ending the video call.
“I’m going to?—”
“Take a moment to calm down and realize Jason is being, well…Jason. He’s pushing you to get a reaction. To see how serious he needs to take this request,” Max replies, closing the laptop, where he’s been furiously taking notes throughout the meeting. “He knows how important Kate is to you. But you also pay him to look out for what’s in your career’s best interest, and that’s what he’s doing.”
I shoot daggers at Max before letting out a big sigh because he’s right. As much as I hate Jason’s approach, he is the one responsible for shepherding my career, and he’s never led me astray. We’re just going to have to find a way to come to termswith the fact that my life doesn’t only revolve around music anymore. Kate is my sun.
“In the meantime, are you okay if we give Anna a quick call? She and I have a few ideas on how to make Kate a bit more comfortable.”
“Sure.” I recline on the black leather couch and brace myself for whatever suggestions they have. The two of them are often thick as thieves and can have some of the most interesting recommendations—ones that sound crazy when they first mention them, but weirdly always seem to work out.
“Hey, guys,” Anna calls out on speakerphone. “Have you told him about our ideas yet?”
“Nope. Thought I’d leave that up to you,” Max answers, turning to grin at me and raising his eyebrows extremely high.
I’m trying not to scowl, but I’m still on edge from Jason’s earlier diatribe and worried about what they might be proposing.
Max quickly notices my grimace and mouths, “It’s a great idea. Trust me.”
“How do I put this politely…” Anna says, pausing for a couple of seconds. “Your house is beautiful, but it could use a woman’s touch. Or literallyanyone’stouch who isn’t a bachelor who enjoys living in a cold and dreary mausoleum. No offense.”
Surprise washes over me. Was not expecting Anna to bring up interior design. I glance around the studio, trying to see the room from her eyes. It’s definitely masculine. There’s a lot of black. My mind waltzes through every other room in the house, noticing a similar pattern. Clean lines, matte black, and a gray color palette, stark walls. Fuck. She’s right.
“None taken. I can see your point,” I reply, unsure what else to say when it’s obvious my home was decorated for a twenty-something guy who lived alone, not a mid-thirties man ready to start a life with the woman he loves. “What are you suggesting?”
Anna lets out a small squeal of delight. “I’m so glad you asked. First, you talk to Kate about the idea and see whether she’s open to redecorating your house or if she’d prefer to find a new home in Nashville. Either way, it allows both of you to create a living space that becomes your joint home.”
“I can find the best realtor or interior designer, based on whatever option you and Kate choose,” Max adds. “We’ll work to make sure it’s a completely fun project that doesn’t add stress and allows the two of you to start building a life here.”
“I like it. It’s a great way to help Kate feel more connected when she’s here. I want her to see Nashville as her home, too,” I say, rubbing my sweaty palms on my jeans and wondering why I didn’t think of this idea myself.
I glance at Max, trying to get an idea of what else they have up their sleeve, but he only smiles back at me, refusing to give me any hints of what Anna’s about to say.
“We’re not done yet. We have one more suggestion,” Anna goes on, “your and Kate’s lives will change once people know you’re together. The house in Chicago won’t work. You need to find a new rental with better security or buy a place there. Either way, you have to do something different. Both options will help Kate be more comfortable when the media circus descends on her.”
Fuck. She’s right again. Anna has this innate ability to call it as she sees it, pointing out what you need to do in a way that makes it impossible to argue with her. “Those are great ideas. I appreciate you and Max bringing them to me. I’ll talk to Kate.”
“Anytime. I meant what I said earlier. We adore Kate and want what’s best for both of you. This path is about to get really bumpy, but we’ll get you through it.”
“Hey, babe,” Kate calls out, knocking on the slightly open door to the studio. “Are you free?”
“Come on in. Wrapping up with Anna and Max,” I reply.
The three of us say our goodbyes, end the call with Anna, and Max makes himself scarce.
