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Realizing I was in a public place, hyperventilating at the memories of that night, I forced myself to focus on my breathing while I slowed my heart rate. It had been years. I’d fought hard to protect myself and I’d done a pretty good job. Now, no one noticed me, looked at me, or thought I was ‘asking for it,’ because I’d made myself invisible. But when I thought about that night, I couldn’t help but feel responsible for what that man did to me.Maybe I did look like I was asking for it. I mean, who walks through a party in their pajamas?
I couldn’t go back to sharing an apartment. I wouldn’t. I needed my miracle.
My phone rang, breaking through the dark thoughts swirling around in my head. I took a deep breath to shake off the memories before I answered.
“Hello.”
“Hi, could I speak to Emmy Winters, please?”
“Speaking.”
“Hi, my name is Addison Stone. I manage the Cosmic Gods. I wonder if we could meet for a chat?”
What the hell?
“The Cosmic Gods? The band?” I stuttered. “I’m not sure what we’d have to chat about, Addison. I think you have the wrong number.”
My head spun, confused about why the manager of the Cosmic Gods would even have my phone number.
“I wanted to wait to speak to you face to face, but honestly, I need your ghostwriting skills. You come highly recommended by a few people we know. Excellent at unpicking the truth and asking the right questions, an amazing ability to write, so it sounds like the person you’re writing for and you’re very discreet. Would you have space to come and write for the Cosmic Gods, Emmy?”
Nope.I mean, I’d written for some pretty famous people over the years, but this was next level famous and it wasn’t a world I wanted to step foot in.
“I’m grateful someone spoke highly of me, but I don’t have a lot of availability at the moment. What were you thinking?”Why am I even asking for more details? Say no, Emmy. Thank you for thinking of me, but no.
“We have four members of the band and we want their stories told. Three of them are siblings, one is a best friend. Their pasts are intertwined, and I’d like that in a best-selling book, that you’ve written by this time next year. The band will pay you £50K to spend the next six months on tour with us. We will pay for everything—hotel, food, expenses. We will buy you clothes, give you spending money. Whatever it takes for you to come with us and ghostwrite their story while they’re on the road. The only catch is no one can know you’re with us or why. Are you good at keeping secrets, Emmy?”
My mouth hung open, speechless.Fifty thousand pounds. It would solve all my problems and help me find somewhere to live, but just say no, Emmy. Say it now.
“Thank you for the generous offer, but I can’t.”
“Can I ask why?”
“It’s not convenient.”
It’s not convenient because I’m just me and I’m not meant to be surrounded by rock stars and their crazy lives.
“This is a one-off offer, Emmy. I need someone on board before we head off on the European leg of the tour. I’d like that to be you. I think you’d be a great fit for the band and the team. Fine, look, let’s make it £75K. Final offer. You spend six months traveling with us, getting to know the band, and writing their story. You won’t want for a thing, Emmy. Just come and work your magic on my band’s story.”
“I have other clients I need to write for.”
“Do that on the road. You can work from anywhere, right? Bring your business on the road with us.”
Shit.“Okay.”Hello, brain, are you listening to what my mouth is saying? I need you to step in and take control. You need to say no.
“When do you need me?”
Argh.
“Tomorrow. One of our drivers will pick you up at 5 pm. You can come and watch their London gig, and then I can introduce them to you.”
“Tomorrow at 5?”
“We’ll see you tomorrow, Emmy.”
“What the hell did you just do, Emmy?” I whispered to myself as I left the coffee shop.
Chapter 4
