Page 26 of Of Heartbreak and Harmony
“And the rest of you?”
I don’t miss the tension in Sav’s shoulders when she gives me a flat smile.
“Mostly. But we’ll make sure it doesn’t affect you.”
That was cryptic, but I suppose it’s more than I can expect from a rock band. I nod.
“Anything else, Miss James?” Hammond asks, and I huff, frowning in his direction.
“Yes. Call me Callie.”
“Noted. Anything else.”
“I want eighty thousand.”
The flash of surprise on Hammond’s face matches the flood of shock I feel in my stomach. I can’t believe I just said that, and the brief pause—the look he shoots at Torren—has me immediately wanting to walk it back. Sixty is fine. It’s more than fine. I shouldn’t spit in the face of this offer and risk losing it all. I open my mouth, but then Hammond nods, so I snap it shut again.
“Fine.”
I try my damnedest not to look as stunned as I feel and clear my throat.
“And one more thing,” I say.
I glance at Torren and find his eyes on me, then look back atHammond. He seems to be the safe landing. I feel nothing when I look at him except mild irritation.
But Torren? Sav? That’s more complicated.
“No...um, sex stuff.”
“Of course,” Torren says, drawing my eyes back to him. “That’s not expected of you.”
“I’m not a groupie,” I say firmly, and he flinches.
His brows fold in further and he nods. “I know. That’s not what this is.”
“Good.” I take a deep breath. “Good. Where’s the contract?”
Hammond hands me the tablet once again, and it takes me thirty minutes to read through the PDF. Hammond offers me a drink and I turn it down, determined to absorb every last detail. Once I’m sure I have, I sign the contract. Hammond sends me a digital copy, and then he reaches out his hand.
I take it, and he shakes firmly.
“Thank you, Callie. We’ll have someone pick you up on Monday. That will be enough time to get your affairs in order?”
Three days. I have three days to quit my job, explain this to my mom and sister, and prepare myself mentally. No amount of time would be enough time for that last one.
“Sure.” I turn to Sav, Mabel, and Jonah. “See you Monday, I guess.”
Mabel smiles. “See you Monday.”
“And thank you,” Sav adds.
Jonah says nothing.
All I can do is nod, and then Torren is leading me out the door and to the elevator.
“I’m going to have Damon drive you home, but I’ll be there to pick you up on Monday.”
“Okay.”
