Page 51 of Behind the Bars

She smirked in the rearview mirror and shrugged. “I think Idid.”

I smiled my biggest grin as she started drove ushome.

Coolest. Mom.Ever.

Chapter Thirteen

Jasmine

“Mickey Rice isone of the best producers in the whole wide world, Jasmine. This could be life-changing if we get him to work with you. He has connections with the best of the best, and he’s pairing us up with T.K. Reid, the mixing engineer. You really couldn’t be luckier,” Trevor exclaimed as we took a taxi to the studio inLondon.

Mama was staring out the window taking pictures of all the buildings as we drove by. We’d been in England for a few weeks now, and it’s been nonstop work for me. When I wasn’t in a studio or meeting with potential producers, I was with Mama beinghomeschooled.

Whenever I got a free minute, I’d email Elliott. It was the only way we had to communicate, and with the time difference, there were so many times I’d wake up to a new message from him and go to sleep wishing I had more words fromhim.

“When we get up to the meeting, let me lead it, okay?” Trevor told me, fixing his tie. His attire told me it must’ve been a very importantmeeting.

Trevor was the complete opposite of Ray. He looked and acted like a snake. There was no softness to him atall.

“Can I come into the meeting?” Mamaasked.

Trevor cringed a bit. “I don’t know, Heather. I think it might just be best to, ya know, keep it to the professionals.” He winked herway.

“I want her in there,” I said, staring out the window as we drove past ElizabethTower.

“But—” Trevor started, and I glared hisway.

“If Mama doesn’t come with me, I’m not going inthere.”

“No, it’s fine, Jasmine. I’d probably just get in the way and step on people’s toes,” Mama joked, smiling at me. “Trevor will be there with you. It will befine.’’

I argued with her, but I could tell she wasn’t going to go against Trevor. Unlike Ray, Trevor didn’t put up with Mama’s sharp tongue. When she bit him, he bit her back—harder.

I reloaded my email, hoping a new letter from Elliott had arrived since I’d checked five seconds before, but still nothing. Even though it was only three in the morning back in New Orleans, I really wished he were awake to talk tome.

* * *

“How long has she been performing?”Mickey Rice asked Trevor as he leaned against his desk. He spun a pencil between his fingers, eyeing me up anddown.

“Six years,” Trevor answered for me. “She’s been performing professionally for sixyears.”

“And how old is she?” he asked, his stare locked with mine though he spoke toTrevor.

“Sixteen.”

Mickey cocked an eyebrow. “She could pass asnineteen.”

“It’s the makeup. We can always tame it if need be,” Trevor toldhim.

Mickey’s eyes traveled up and down my body once again. I crossed my legs and arms as discomfort washed over me. I hated how they spoke about me as if I wasn’t in the room. I hated how I wasn’t allowed to speak for myself. I hated how Trevor—a complete stranger—was myvoice.

“No, no. We want her to pass as older. More attention.” Mickey gave a sly grin. “How much does sheweigh?”

“Why don’t you just ask me?” I snapped. Trevor pinched my arm and gave me a sternlook.

“She’s one hundred and thirtypounds.”

“Get her to dropfifteen.”

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