Page 152 of Stormswept Colorado

I shook my head. “That’s in the past.” And I didn’t want to speak ill of Paul now that he was dead.

I’d also expressed my sorrow over Paul’s death to his father, which had been all the more awkward given his ownership of the record label. The whole thing was an awful, impossible situation.

But that didn’t change my decision about my contract. It was time for me to take full control over my career. Over my future. I’d been thinking a lot about that as well over the last day or two.

I finally knew what I wanted and how to make it happen.

Nothing like a brush with death to make it clear what really mattered in life.

“Have you been online at all?” Cheryl asked. “Seen the news?”

“No, I’ve been avoiding it. But Teller said people are talking about what happened. Reporters are in town.” I had no doubt my publicist Beth was working twenty-four-seven to handle all this. Thank goodness she hadn’t come along with Cheryl, though. I couldn’t have dealt with so many people talking at me.

“That’s an understatement,” Cheryl said. “There’s significant media attention on you. On youandTeller, in fact.”

I cringed. This was what I’d always known would happen but wished we could avoid.

“The coverage is overwhelmingly positive toward you,” Cheryl went on. “Your previous albums are back at the top of the streaming charts right now. We’ve gotten a flood of mail and social comments expressing your fans’ love. Beth’s phone has been ringing off the hook with media requests. The world wants to hear from you and know you’re doing okay. There’s no rush, but we’ll send you some possibilities for your first interview when you’re ready. Beth is anxious to get started.”

“I’ll…think about it. I can issue a statement.”

I might even share the truth about my father and my childhood.Maybe it could help others, especially other young women who felt the same things I once did. I wanted my experiences to make a difference so others didn’t feel so alone.

“Good,” Cheryl said. “I’m sure Beth will get you a draft statement right away. As for getting back in the studio, the sooner the better. You’ve made tremendous progress on your new songs already. Ruxton Records agreed they have no claim on your next album, so long as you start fresh on the recordings. We can record out of your home studio in Malibu. You can be in control of the entire process, but we need to jump on this groundswell of interest while we can.”

I sighed. “Cheryl…”

“Just let me know when you’ll be back in Los Angeles. Are you thinking next week? I need to make sure we have everything in place.”

“Cheryl. I don’t know when I’ll be ready to get back in the studio. But I promise it won’t be next week. It might not be this year.”

“But what about your upcoming album? You’ve been so passionate about your new songs.” I could tell she also wanted to mention the hard work she and the whole team had done preparing for the album, but she didn’t.

“I know.” I felt a small twinge of regret, because I loved my music, and that would never change. “I don’t even know whether or not Iwillfinish it. Teller’s more important than an album. I love music, but I love him more. I’ve decided I’m staying in Silver Ridge. With him.”

Her jaw hung open. “You can’t stay here forever, though.”

“Who says I can’t?”

Things were a little tense as Cheryl said goodbye to me and Teller. But she gave me another hug just before she left.

“I’ll support you in whatever decision you make, Ayla,” she said quietly in my ear. “But have you discussed any of this with Teller?”

“Not yet.”

“Well, do that. Then get back to the team on what you’d like us to do.”

I promised I would.

Bryan drove Cheryl back to the resort. As Teller shut the door and locked it, I paced across the living room with my arms crossed.

“Didn’t she have good news for you?” Teller asked.

“She did. I’m out of my recording contract. My career belongs to me now.”

He stepped into my path, hands on my arms. “That’s fantastic, sweetheart. But if that’s the case, what has you upset?”

“Not upset, exactly. Just anxious. I’m ready to talk about…us. Our future.”

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