Page 64 of No More Love Songs

“It didn’t have to be like this,” Zayne says, voice suddenly oozing with charm, as if he was the good guy trying to save the day all along. “I tried to tell you forcing our hand was never going to get you your way.”

“Actually,” I say smiling as I follow Janelle, making her way around the long table and toward the door. “You’re the one who’s not getting his way. Me? I’m getting the hell out of here.”

“You won’t be able to go anywhere else,” he reminds me, as if I don’t know the details of my own contract. “You’ll spend the next five years in exile. After that, no one will even remember your name.” He forces a superior smirk, but I can see in his eyes his confidence is waning. “There won’t be any coming back from this.”

“I know.” I beam back at him. “You’ll never recover what you’re losing here today.”

“Don’t kid yourself,” Chase says, fingers tapping nervously on the file I refused to sign. “Pretty girls with guitars are a dime a dozen. I can walk out of here and sign ten more just like you. Except younger. With a fresher sound and way more sex appeal.”

“If that’s what you think made Skylar Thompson a household name, you’re about to get screwed even bigger than I thought,” Janelle mutters, moving past me to get the door.

“See you around, boys.” I wave, about to step through that doorway and into the next chapter of my life.

“Doubtful,” Chase sneers. “You just killed the reigning queen of country. No more love songs, no more reasons to be seeing you.”

“Oh,” I stop mid-step, barely holding back the laughter, “see, that’s where you’re wrong. I’m not done with love songs. You are.” I reach past them to place a small mp3 player on the table. “I may not be able to sign with another label for five years, but there’s nothing in my contract to stop me from starting my own.” I nod at the parting gift I left for them. “It’s my next single. Give it a listen.” I shrug, smiling victoriously, “I wouldn’t know, of course, but I think I might have a number one hit on my hands.”

Then Janelle and I exit the room, laughing as we go, the sound of my new song, following us out.

––––––––

To think I searched the whole world

To come back and find you here

And maybe I’m a fool to tell you

But baby I’m not scared

Cause love is what I’m dreaming of

Baby love’s the dream I chase

But if you open up your heart to me

Right here is where I’ll stay

Baby, here is where I’ll stay

And it’s no more endless search

And farewell empty roads

I’ll be yours and you’ll be my ...

Finally coming home

I can’t promise you old heartaches

will never hurt again

But I swear to you while I’m alive

You’ll never be alone with them

I might be too much of a dreamer, babe

But my feet still touch the ground

---