Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 90951 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 455(@200wpm)___ 364(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90951 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 455(@200wpm)___ 364(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
“Not much time.” Blue stabs at his green curry. “And this is blatant discrimination, Bea. A textbook violation of your rights and laws. Probably several of them. Have you talked to your lawyer about all this? What did she say?”
“She’d probably say you have a point and I have a case.” I lift my hands in the air. “But I don’t want to go there, I really don’t. Checkers is going to let me out of the contract without a fuss, and I’m not interested in nailing his ass to the wall in court.” I point my fork at Blue. “I’m going to nail his ass to the wall by proving how wrong he is, and making him regret the day he let me walk out of that studio like he regrets selling the Apple stock his grandad gave him when he passed twenty years ago.” I swirl up a bite of noodles and pop it between my lips, moaning happily as I chew, murmuring, “Ohmygod, so good,” with my mouth full.
“Okay, if that’s what you want, but what’s the game plan? Are you going to push the release date? You’re seriously short on time.”
“I know, but I can’t, I don’t want to lose any more momentum.” I dive my fork back into my Pad Thai. “And I don’t know how challenging having a newborn is going to be. I need to get this done now, before Bean gets here, but I think I can pull it off. Marcus is already on board and psyched to remaster the old songs. I can tell he gets exactly what I’m going for, and I think he’ll knock this out of the park.”
Blue nods. “I think so, too. And that’s great news. Marcus is the real deal. I honestly can’t believe he’s still in New Orleans.”
“I know,” I agree. “I bet he’ll be in L.A. soon, working for one of the heavy-hitters. Or in South Korea, taking over the K-pop mastering scene.” I bob a shoulder and grin. “But until then, he’s on my team. And I booked a kickass photographer this afternoon for the new cover shoot, and Charlotte was able to get the Botanical Garden for us for this weekend. They close at four on Sundays, so we’ll have plenty of time to get some killer shots at magic hour.” I pop another bite and chew, my thoughts racing.
As soon as I swallow, I add, “The marketing strategy will obviously need to be revised completely, but I’ve already been doing research and brainstorming with some industry friends. It won’t be easy, but I think I can pull it off. If I hustle.”
His expression shifts, his brow furrowing as he glances down at his plate.
“What?” I ask, my stomach tightening. “You think I’m crazy? And dreaming impossible dreams?”
“No, I don’t think you’re crazy. If anyone can pull this off, it’s you, but…” He sighs, lowering his voice as he adds, “If I’d put on a fucking condom, none of this would be happening, Bea. You wouldn’t be dealing with all this. You’d still be on track for a mainstream release. If not with Checkers, then with someone else.”
I set my fork down, wipe my mouth, and pin him with a hard look, wanting to be damned sure he hears me as I say, “Don’t go there, Archer. Don’t you dare. Bean is not a mistake. Not to me. And she isn’t separate from the person I’ve become or the music I made in Scotland. She’s part of it. A very important part, and that’s why I want this visual on the cover.”
I motion down at myself. “Me. With my big pregnant belly. On the cusp of this sea change, with the promise of Bean right there, about to be born, just like this new sound is being born. And I…” I shake my head. “I just want her there with me, on the first album that I wrote all by myself. Even if it flops, I know that it will always be precious to me. And someday, I’ll tell her the story of how it all happened, and maybe she’ll think it’s cool that we’re on the cover together. Her and her mom, who refused to follow stupid rules or play stupid games. Maybe she’ll take that as proof that she doesn’t have to compromise or play small, either. And that will be part of the legacy that I leave for my daughter.”
Blue goes still again, but not angry still or “what the fuck did that man say?” still. This stillness is grounded, and he’s back to sounding like the Zen master I know as he whispers, “Yeah. That. All of that. Our daughter is going to be so proud that you’re her mom. I know I am.”
I press my lips together and lock my jaw, afraid I’m going to ugly cry if I don’t.