Page 6 of Reckless Encore

Sidney retreated a step and sighed again, her face holding the wrinkles of a tired parent.

“Don’t worry.” He nudged her elbow. “I’ll follow him.”

She gave a sad smile. “Thank you. If you don’t come back in ten minutes, I’ll alert the authorities.”

He laughed and started after the not-so-little brat. “In that case, make sure you take care of Red for me.”

He reached the towering tree line and continued into the shadows. Twigs and leaves crunched under his feet. Long grass scratched at his jeans. “Hey, tour guide, I don’t think this is the right track.”

Ethan kept hustling, breaking off low branches before throwing them to the ground.

“Hey.” Sean jumped over a log and jogged to catch up. “Want to talk about it?”

“About what?” The kid stopped, turned, and met Sean with a hazel-eyed glare. “How my parentals are driving me batshit crazy? My dad is a hemorrhoid-infested asshole.”

“Tell me something I don’t know.”

The kid wasn’t much of a kid anymore. The mischief-maker seemed to have grown half a foot already this year and had an even deeper voice than he did last month.

“He won’t let me concentrate on my music.” Ethan pulled a clump of leaves off a sapling and waved them around for emphasis. “Everything has to be donehisway. Always. I can never try anything on my own.”

“Have you told him your plans? If you explain what you want and why you want it, I’m sure he’ll understand.”

“I’ve told him every day for the last ten years.” Ethan threw the leaves to the ground and crossed his arms over his chest. “He says I have to finish school first.”

No shit, dirtbag.“Yeah… Well, I can’t say I disagree.”

The glare increased. “Even when I’m failing all my subjects? Ihateschool. It bores me to death, but he wants me to keep going, even when I’ve got labels busting a nut to sign me.”

“Busting a nut, eh?” Sean whistled.

Labels were only interested due to the blood flowing through this kid’s veins. The child prodigy had musical success running through his DNA. Sidney had taught him how to weave lyrics from the moment she’d started singing to him as a newborn, while Mason had concentrated on rounding his talent, organizing lessons at an early age on anything from guitar to piano to vocal training.

The kid knew it all.

Just ask him. He’d tell you how awesome he was, no holds barred.

“There’s more to being successful than musical talent. You need business skills and strategies. You should trust your dad. He knows what it’s all about.”

“Mydadis only interested in remaining top dog.” Ethan lowered his gaze and kicked at the underbrush. “He’s threatened by me.”

“Threatened?” Sean held back a laugh. Mason Lynch had never been threatened by anyone. Except maybe Sidney. That woman had a massive set of balls. “I don’t think you truly believe that.”

“Then why won’t he let me sign with Grander? They’re bending over backward to blow me—”

“Whoa.” Sean held up a hand. “For starters, I can’t hold a conversation with you if it involves busted nuts and blow jobs. If you want to talk business, talk like you know your shit. Stop acting like an immature twerp.”

Ethan straightened and raised his chin. “I know what I’m talking about. I can make it big. Nothing will stop me.”

“I know. And so does your dad. But he doesn’t want you to be a teen sensation who fades into obscurity by the time you reach your twenties. Do you know all the times Grander fucked us over when Reckless was at the top of the charts?” Sean had spent more than half his life as the drummer for the chart-topping band, and each and every one of those years had passed with growing animosity toward the label who originally signed them.

“No. All he’s done is show me an old thirty-page contract and told me to read it and highlight the warning bells as a ‘learning experience.’” The kid used his fingers for air quotes.

“He’s proving to you that you’re not ready. You’re going to sign a shit-ton of contracts, son. And, believe me, they’ll fuck you over in the fine print. Just ask your Aunt Leah. She couldn’t even date Uncle Ryan because of the legalities. Your dad, is the best person to sign with, by far. He doesn’t want your money. He only wants you to succeed. Same goes for me and your uncles.” He waited for an acknowledgement. Nothing came. “Look, your dad idolizes you. He’s supported your future since the moment you were born. He wants you to not only take his limelight, but to burst that fucking globe. You’re just too stubborn to see it.”

Ethan kicked at the ground again. “He hasn’t even mentioned signing with him. I don’t think he wants me on your label.”

Another laugh escaped as he threw a soft jab to the kid’s shoulder. “My man, if you sign with anyone else, your dad would be devastated. I’m talking completely heartbroken and in need of counseling.”

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