Page 171 of Debts and Desires
“Since you’re an employee of Starry Records now—well,soon—you get benefits included. And they have a helluva birth package.”
“It’s true,” Sydney laughed. “Everything was covered for me.” I could’ve cried.
“The only things we need to figure out are starting dates or recordings. We can put those around your pregnancy, no problem. Album name and art and what not. And, of course, getting your bandmate to sign off on that waiver.”
My heart sank. Every piece of happiness in me crashing to the ground like pelting rain.
“S-sure.”
“Cool. I’ll get you both sets of paperwork. You get me a signature. Sound like a plan?”
“Sounds like a plan.”
Earlier in the week, when Sydney and Justin found out about the lyrics situation, they discussed the possibility of having Carter join me. I didn’t really get a chance to say no, or deny it, too in shock that they’d suggest it. But they loved his voice, loved how it sounded with mine. They wanted me to ask him to join me or relinquish his rights.
I clutched my stomach, my mind going every which way. I didn’t know what I wanted anymore. This would’ve been so much easier had I not fallen in love with him.
71. A SECOND CHANCE?
March 10
Seventy-Six Days Gone
It was day seventy-six without Emogen. I was working underneath a lifted car when I caught a phantom whiff of her perfume. I blinked a few times, ignoring the picture of her smiling face from my memories. The garage seemed to get quieter.
“Carter?” I heard her sweet voice in my thoughts.
Great, now I’m fucking hallucinating.
“Carter? Can we talk?” I froze.
I didn’t imagine her. Emmy was here. I didn’t answer, I couldn’t. I couldn’t even turn around because if I faced her, I was liable to get on my knees and beg her to come back.
Instead, I lowered my hands, sitting my wrench on the table beside me. There was a long silence. I questioned my sanity again until I turned ever so slightly to get her in my peripheral.
She was in that damned yellow sundress she’d worn the night we met. I looked forward, swallowing the lump in my throat. Ihatedthat she made me like this.
“What do you want, Emmy?” I asked, doing my best to sound cold, despite feeling her rays of life behind me.
“Can we… go talk?” Her voice was small, and I could tell the guys were doing their best to ignore what was going on. The last thing I needed was to be alone with her. I’d break and beg for her to come back.
“No.”
“Carter, please. It’s… important.” Damn her. Damn her and her ability to make me crazy for her. To make me want to do anything for her, despite the fact that she tore my soul in two. I didn’t answer. Instead, I stomped toward the door to the reception area. It took her a moment, but she followed. I didn’t hold the first door for her, but I did the second, gesturing for her to go into the office.
“Everything okay, boss?” Kinsley asked from behind the counter.
“Yeah. This shouldn’t take long,” I answered. She nodded and I headed into my office, locking the door behind me. I turned to face Emmy.
Emmy was trembling. Her head was down as she idly picked at the folder in her hands.
“Make it quick. I have shit to do,” I growled. She looked up, only for a moment, before clearing her throat.
“I, uh, need you to sign this,” she started, holding up the folder. “When you sent the video in, they technically hired the three of us. Ty already signed. The studio said they couldn’t get a hold of you. So, I’m here. This is to relinquish your rights to me. I might lose it all if you don’t.”
I almost scoffed, unable to bite my tongue.
“Youmight lose it all?”
