AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I smiled as he kissed my neck making it entirely impossible for me to think straight so I pushed him away and quickly moved to the opposite side of his desk so that the massive structure was between us.
“I think it might be best if we pass on that discussion and I just go to bed…” His smiled expanded until I added, “Alone.”
“Alone?”
“Yes, if not, I won’t be able to think logically.”
“Which is my point.”
“Jaah…”
“Aight, bet. Sleep on it and we’ll talk about this tomorrow.”
I nodded, leaning over the desk to collect all the paperwork he’d presented me with. “I don’t want you to think I’m ungrateful because I’m not. I just need to really think about what this means for not just me but for you and Gracie.”
“I didn’t expect the decision to be easy for you. You’re handling it much better than I figured you would. I envisioned some yelling, a handprint on my face, and maybe some furniture being tossed around. I’m not mad about you wanting time to fully process this. You’re a good mother and I respect how much you love her. The fact that she comes first in your life only makes me want to go harder to keep you both in my life.”
He rounded the desk, towering over me, gaze heavy and intense. “All I want is for you to raise her in peace. She deserves that just as much as you do.” He kissed the top of my head then left the room with me feeling overwhelmed and full. So damn full of emotions that I had no clue how to deal with or process.
nineteen
Sol.
“Do you want to tell me how this is going to go?”
“No, because if it goes left, then I don’t want you caught up in my bullshit.”
“I’m your manager, Sol. My life is intertwined with yours in ways that can’t be undone. If you’re caught up in something, so am I. And that means it affects every move I make, include the careers of my other artists.”
I had considered that as well which was why I didn’t want Drew’s name attached to any of what I had done other than being here at this meeting with me.
A year ago, Drew had begun taking on new artists. He only had two so far and they were brand new, which meant he had to be a lot more hands on with them.
Similar to how things were when I first started out but now my career was established. Drew had more free time to work with other artists.
Most of what he would do for me was contract negotiation, scheduling tours and shows, which meant being hands on with the booking agents and handling my interests and appearances.
Years ago, he had to put more into convincing people to trust my talent and brand. But with the career I’ve had, mostly due to him, his job now was more or less accepting or turning down the offers that came in. My name as a headliner filled seats and sold out arenas.
That meant more free time to build other artists’ careers. I couldn’t imagine Drew and I would ever completely part ways. Neither of us wanted that, but I also wanted him to be able to do for other artists what he’d done for me, which was why his name didn’t need to be attached to the strings I’d pulled to end this bullshit with Sheets.
“I agree, but the less you know the better. When we get in there and I put all my cards on the table you’ll be just as surprised at my hand as Malcom and his team will be.”
“I don’t know if I should be grateful or worried.”
I smirked as the elevator doors opened, stepping out with Drew beside me. “Grateful, fam. I’m always going to look out for you the way you look out for me. You’ll just have to trust me on this one.”
He laughed arrogantly. “If how I feel right now walking in here blind is a fraction of what you’ve felt over the years when I’ve told you to trust me, then I apologize for all the undue stress I’ve caused you in the past.”
“Good because you’ve had my ass on the chopping block enough times to make me want to crack your shit.”
He shrugged as I reached for the brass handle to open the glass door that would give us access to Privilege Records, my label for the past fifteen years. “No matter how it begins, it always ends the way it should. My track record is flawless, Sol. Make sure you can say the same when this is all said and done.”
I tossed my chin and stopped at reception while Drew addressed Lydia. “We have a meeting with Malcom.”
She smiled at him and then me. When her eyes landed on me, her smile expanded and her fair skinned cheeks settled into a blush. “He’s expecting you. He’s in his office.”
“Thanks, love.” I winked and stepped away catching the way she sucked in a sharp breath.
