Page 87 of A Love Song for Dreamers

“What areyou—”

I hold up a hand at Beck as I read the firstscene.

Then I drop onto the couch and scan thesecond.

After the third I jump up, heading for thedoor.

“Where are you going?” Beck calls, emerging from the back of thehouse.

I snap my head up and head for the front door. “There’s somewhere I need tobe.”

Beck points back toward the rest of the house. “But you haven’t checked out my futurebedroom.”

* * *

“Iasked for avocado,”Zeke tells the waitress on the patio that afternoon. His voice is cordial, but his eyes narrow as he squints against thesun.

She disappears through the doors of the restaurant, past the palm trees blowing in thebreeze.

“Hard to get everything you want, isn’t it?” Zeke leans forward over the table betweenus.

“It doesn’t have tobe.”

He grins. “The guys said you were at the studio yesterday with some suggestions on the tracks. Glad you’re coming around. You can meet marketing nextweek.”

I stare at the burger in front of me, waiting for his food to return.Fuck it.I take a mouthful ofmine.

After swallowing the first bite, I say, “I’m meeting them right afterthis.”

Zeke’s brows shoot up in surprise. “I’m pleased to see you’reenthusiastic.”

“That’s not the word I’d use. I’m leaving LA and I don’t want any talk that I’m not fulfilling mycontract.”

He laughs. “You’re not leaving LA. You just gotback.”

I mentally review the points that came together quickly once I’d decided on my next move. “I know I haven’t been the easiest to work with, but that’s going to change. You’ll still have input on the songs and production for the rest of the album. But I will record it at the studio of mychoosing.”

Zeke shifts back in his chair, folding his arms, but I’m notdone.

“I will commit to being a better collaborator. Including paying for someone at the label to coordinate promotion, which, as we’ve established, isn’t my strength. In return, what I do on my own time is my own business. It won’t compromise the label or itsbrand.”

“Tyler. This isimpossible.”

“The word you’re looking for is ‘unorthodox,’” I supply. “The label’s ownership is in this to make money. You saw that in me. You gave me a chance and it paid off. Now I’m offering you a chance. If you don’t like it, you can sue me for breach of contract, which will be time consuming and expensive and make us both lessvaluable.”

He blinks at me. “Is thatall?”

His voice makes it clear he thinks I’ve lost mymind.

I rise from my chair and toss a fifty on the table for my half-finished burger. “A summary of what I’m proposing is in your email. You can send me any comments over the next forty-eight hours. After my surgery, I’m leavingtown.”

I start for the door, but Zeke calls after me. “Where are yougoing?”

I heave out a breath. “Where I should’ve been allalong.”

* * *

The door opensto reveal screaming children and a tired-looking thirty-something woman who straightens in recognition when she seesme.

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