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“But now you’ll have to handle this,” Aaron smiles, nodding at the small group where Emma giggles nervously, blushing over something they told her.
“I’ll think about it tomorrow. Now I need alcohol.” She grabs my hand and drags me across the room, clearly trying to forget the potential bomb that will explode in our first week with all the artists under one roof.
It was too much to hope we’d have smooth sailing now, after all we’ve been through. But Emily is right. If this becomes a problem, we’ll address it tomorrow or the day after. Now I want to enjoy this moment where everything seems perfect because I know it won’t last. Real life will return with all of its problems and we’ll have to deal with them.
I look up from my computer and sigh, inspecting the living room of the apartment that, for a couple of months, has become officially mine, too, with the cancellation of my lease. Papers are scattered everywhere, including the floor, the chairs, and the sofa where we’re sitting.
“I need an office. A real one, with a desk, a door, and a wall where I can hang the notes I need to plan a tour.”
Evan chuckles. I give him the side eye and he bites his lip to hold back a smile.
“I know you do everything on the computer but I can’t do that, okay? I need to see the big picture to be able to organize something as huge as a tour.”
Evan drags me into a hug and kisses my head. “Sorry. I know you work differently from me. We could convert one of the two guest rooms. Two desks and as many walls as you want to put all your notes on.”
“Seriously?”
He nods and smiles. “I like being surrounded by your colorful notes.”
His words make me smile. When I started planning the Red Velvet Curtains’ tour after they finished recording their album and we set the release date, Evan offered to help me plan a tour of the United States. The band can’t wait for it to start, and, given Emma’s online success, I thought it wouldn’t be a bad idea to take advantage of the two up-and-coming acts and have them share the stage, with Emma opening their concerts. The whole thing ended with Evan losing his mind trying to understand the color scheme I used to organize the stages. I’ve never seen a man so clueless about the difference between an apple green and olive green.
“This, however, doesn’t solve the problem of the twenty-two clients we have to manage,” I mumble, discouraged.
When word spread that we had managed to free the Red Velvet Curtains from the grip of the record company, several artists without a contract begged us to manage them. Along with the ones who signed with us when Evan was trying to take back the Jailbirds’ masters, we went from one to twenty-two clients within a few months. It’s too much for two people. Although most of them don’t want to tour or do live shows like rock stars, they’re just looking for a place to record their music and live off the royalties. Still, coordinating twenty-two artists in two recording studios is a major problem.
“I’ve been thinking about this.”
I turn, giving him my full attention. He looks doubtful, a familiar expression of Evan’s when he’s unsure of an idea. He’s so used to working alone, making decisions for himself and his clients without needing to account for anyone else. Since we started working together, some of the decisions inevitably concern me too, and I need to have a say in the matter. Which is why he’s feeling insecure.
“You know you can say anything, right? If I don’t like it, we can discuss and compromise on something that suits both of us.”
He looks down and nods before raising his gaze to mine and smiling. “I think we should open our own management company. You and me. Hire at least two assistants to help with contracts and office work, and maybe a couple of people to develop as managers. We can’t manage more than twenty people, the two of us alone. The Jailbirds are already a big commitment. The Red Velvet Curtains and Emma will soon be as well. It’s impossible to think of making it without going crazy or messing up.”
I pause to think about his words. I look at the sheets scattered all over the room, and the idea of having some help seems like the Christmas miracle I’ve been waiting for. I’ve never dared to think about this solution because it requires money I don’t have, and I don’t know where to start to look for it.
“You mean split from Jail Records and create our own company?”
He nods and flashes an insecure smile. “Yes, but if you don’t want to be my partner in this adventure, we can find a solution.”
I hesitate, understanding Evan’s fear in this moment. He thinks I may not want to build something so long-term with him. A company binds you, for better or worse, for the rest of your life, or at least until we decide to close it or leave, and my indecision throws him.
“No, Evan. You misunderstand,” I hasten to reassure him. “I’m thrilled to start this agency with you. I’m hesitating because I have no idea how to do it. To build what you have in mind, you need assets I don’t have, and I don’t know how to find them. That’s my only concern. I haven’t done a great job repaying my school debts yet, and I don’t know if I can manage an economic commitment of this magnitude.”
He nods, pausing to think about my words. “I can think about it. I can teach you how to do it. As for the money, we can get loans to start off and make a plan to repay them when the company takes off. It’s not difficult…and we can always ask Aaron for advice. He certainly knows more than the two of us together how to set up companies that generate profit.”
I look at him, surprised. “You would ask Aaron for advice?”
He smiles and pulls me in for an even closer embrace. “I may have re-evaluated my brother a bit, okay? Don’t be so surprised. I can admit my mistakes.”
I kiss him on the lips and snuggle against his chest. “I like to tease you. And I’m glad you finally found a way to reconnect with him. He’s certainly arrogant and overbearing, but he’s not an asshole. Not to the people he cares about, at least.”
He kisses me until he takes my breath away.
“So? Should we do it? Begin this new chapter of our lives?” His eyes rest on mine, and I see my future clearly for the first time. Not just until the next paycheck, the next debt paid, the next goal reached. I see from here to the rest of my life, and I like that he’s by my side.
“Yes, partner.” And I kiss him again.
***
