Page 166 of Debts and Desires
“That’s alright. I heard you had a run in with Chelsea. How was that?”
“She was…something.” Zac only laughed.
“Definitely an acquired taste.”
“Definitely.”
Zac glanced around the room, his eyes landing on the table beside me. I followed his gaze, realizing I had forgotten to hide the notebook. My cheeks heated immediately, like I’d been caught doing something bad.
“What’s this?” he asked, gesturing towards it with a curious expression.
“Oh, that’s just…” I trailed off, searching for an explanation, all of them dying in my throat. “It’s a band member’s,” I blurted out, mentally cursing myself for not coming up with a lie. “He gave me permission a while ago to use them,” I quickly added. Zac raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical.
“Any written agreement?”
“No.”
“Do you think he’d notice if you used his work?”
“I only took a few lines. A-and changed them around…” I trailed, biting the inside of my mouth. “But no, I don’t think he would.” He seemed to think.
“Then we’ll go ahead and record and send it out. Then weneed to nip this in the bud, okay? I know that sounds all sorts of shady, but we have a deadline. However, I don’t want you, me, or the record company getting sued in the long run.”
“I’m sorry,” I whispered.
“Hey, it’s all good. I don’t think any less of you. You said he gave you permission. I just want to make sure it’s all covered, like I said. You’ll have to go get him to sign it over to you,” he stated matter-of-factly, his voice leaving no room for argument.
Immediately, I had the thought that I’d forge his signature. I used to sign things for him all the time at the shop and had gotten very good at his signature. There was no way I was going back to see him. You couldn’t offer me all the money in the world.
You need him to sign it. It’s the right thing to do.
“Sure thing,” I said. I cursed myself for having a conscience.
“Awesome. I’ll get you the paperwork soon. Now then, are you ready to go practice some in the sound booth?” I perked up at that.
“Absolutely.”
“Thought so,” he chuckled. “Let’s go.” I followed him out of the conference room.
Still feeling guilty about being discovered with Carter’s notebook, my mind went rampant. It wasn’t until I was in the little recording booth that my thoughts settled. I loved being in there, making music. It calmed me, like I was meant to be there.
Once everything was said and done, I’d never have to deal with Carter again. I swore I would never think of him again.
68. SOARING
February 4
Forty-Two Days Gone
Everything was progressing and fast.
My song. My career. My belly.
I wasn’t sure I’d ever be ready. But I had until September to figure that out. Mia was already looking for a bigger place, despite my protests.
“I’ve been wanting to leave since…” She didn’t have to finish. I knew what she was talking about.
“But you and Callum don’t need a third wheel and her loud baby in your space.”
