I went all business. “You have a contract you’re sitting on. I get it . . . it’s a big decision. You’re smart not to take it lightly.”
“Our songs are being downloaded at warp speed, man. Not sure if there’s a whole lot more you can offer us,” Leif said, though I got the feeling he was just making room for the conversation. That he wanted one more person at Mylton Records to make him big promises. Assure him they were taking the right step.
I eased back in the chair, crossing an ankle over my knee. I met his eye. “Yes, they are. We have the reports. Which is why we’re offering the amount that we are. You’ve amassed a huge, devoted following. It speaks volumes about your talent and drive. But I think everyone here is aware you’ve only touched the tip of the iceberg. There are millions of people who’ve never heard the name Carolina George. My job is to change that.”
It wasn’t a lie.
Leif nodded. “And you think that you can?”
“I know that I can.”
My attention moved on from him, hitting Rhys then Richard, before dragging all the way up the lush lines of Emily’s body to meet the turmoil in her eyes, her lips moving in silent disbelief.
My chest tightened like a fist.
I was pretty sure she wanted to call me out.
Shout that I was a fraud.
“I realize you’re not ready,” I said, voice raw as I stared directly at her. “That you may not trust what we are offering. So, I’ve decided to hit the next couple tour stops with you so you can get to know me.”
Those green eyes flared with another bout of shock. A rustle of movement filtered through the bodies around me.
Unorthodox.
Yeah.
But this was worth it.
Rhys smacked his hand on the table like it was settled. “Sounds like a damn good plan to me. We need to get this thing settled.”
“It’s reasonable,” Leif agreed.
Cool.
I was glad they were on board.
But it was the storm of energy pounding me that I was really interested in.
Wave after wave. Surge after surge.
I stood in the middle of it, pinning her with my stare, wishing I could erase the doubt I could see spinning through her mind. Thing was, I wasn’t sure her reaction would be any different if last night hadn’t happened.
She probably would have been looking at me with the same distrust. With the same fear in her eyes. I wasn’t the one who’d put it there in the first place.
Emily gave a fierce shake of her head and hugged herself over her middle. “No.”
More rustling. This time disgruntled.
“Emily . . . come on, baby girl. This is super cool. I mean, what can it hurt?” Rhys was sending her one of his smiles that had clearly won him his way on more than one occasion.
All the guys in this band possessed that power.
You couldn’t only play.
Charisma was a key factor of success in this business.
It wasn’t just music.
It was entertainment.
I knew that firsthand.
Except the one he was trying to charm wasn’t buying it.
She knew exactly how badly it could hurt.
“I’m not comfortable with this,” she whispered, rubbing her hands up her arms, looking to her brother to back her up.
Guilt tugged at my spirit.
Fuck.
I swallowed it down, remembered my purpose. “You won’t even know I’m around. Unless of course you want to ask me questions. That’s all I’m here for. To answer your questions and assure you I have this band’s best interest at heart.”
Her brow twisted, like she couldn’t believe that I would sit there and spew this bullshit.
I really couldn’t believe it, either.
Richard huffed out a breath. “Emily . . . you have to give something. He’s here because of you.”
Chewing at her lip, she stared at her brother, trying to keep it together as she rushed to whisper the words, “What he’s here for is to talk me into what I’ve already said I’m not ready for.”
“I’m here to offer you that time,” I interjected, capturing that sage-gaze that was making me itch. Fingers twitchy and dick antsy.
What the fuck was she doing to me?
She scoffed out an enraged sound. It rang of discord and disbelief. “Is that what you’re here for?”
“Yes.” It came out resolute.
“Emily . . . please . . . just give him a chance. Give us a chance.” Her brother edged toward her, pleading, trying to get through to this girl who was so confused and uncertain and broken down that I was pretty sure all it was going to take was one more blow for her to crumble.
My soul shook.
Fuck.
This was bad. Everything was getting distorted. Pen strokes breaching clear-cut lines. I had to keep it together.
Her attention bounced around the room. “Is that what all of you want? For him to come along? Get into our business?”