Page 58 of Lexi Lets Go

"No. You can't. I don't work for you,” she said plainly.

“I’m sorry, what?” he asked.

“I am an employee of the label. My father hired me to make sure you didn't fuck up your image any more than you already have. Sure, the gender nonconformity stuff works for you, but your image couldn't handle another scandal."

"My gender expression and sexuality are not a scandal. They are part of who I am, a part of the music I make. I am a success because of those things not despite them. Jesus, Jacinda. Do you have any idea what my fans love about me?"

"Yes! We’ve polled them. They love the fantasy of you. That is what you give them night after night."

That thought threatened to spin him out. He felt the walls closing in. Was that really all he was? A fantasy? A pretty face with a nice voice? Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath.

There were letters, hundreds of them covering his wall in his music room, all telling him differently. Those letters told him that his music and self-expression gave them the courage to be who they truly were. Those letters told him that they were able to find a safe space in his fan community. The crying faces in his concert when he sang his songs about finding your own way and your own family, told him that he was more than a pretty face. He was more than a fantasy. Sure, there was an element of fantasy to him, but he had to believe there was more. And if what she said was true then the sacrifice wasn't worth it, but he knew he was more.

"Jacinda. I need you to leave. I’m parting ways with you and the label after the concert. It’s clear the people profiting off of my music, off my very soul, don’t have my best interest at heart anymore."

Jacinda stood and walked out. He let out a big sigh, and walked into his music room, eyes on the massive wall and all the letters. Then he sat at his piano and started writing a song. It was the first song he had written since London. It was a love song. A love song to his fans and to Lexi. She had reminded him why he did this. Reminded him that he didn't need to sacrifice every piece of himself. There were some pieces just for him.

But more importantly, there were some parts that he would allow her to see and keep safe. He trusted her to do that. She would be his safe harbor, and he would be the wind in her sail. They both needed something different from each other, but they fit perfectly.

If he wasn't certain before, he was certain now. He was in love with Lexi Turner, and they would find a way, because she was the way.

Taking a deep breath, he sat down at the piano and it all just came pouring out of him.

Her song.

Chapter25

Liam

Liam was making plans for the future. It was a much different future than he had imagined two weeks ago. The timing was amazing. If he hadn’t met Lexi when he did, he would have signed on for another album. The label would have him off recording somewhere and he would still be lost. But he had found her, and he learned the truth about the people around him. He was excited for what the future would bring for the first time in a long time.

He had called his original manager last night and discussed the direction he wanted to take things after bringing her back on board. She had stepped aside so people could come to deal with his PR and he had let them, but it was time to bring back the people he trusted.

Looking out the giant window, Liam sat in a boardroom waiting to meet with his record label and lawyers. With him was his original manager and a lawyer she trusted who he planned to hire. All of them were waiting for the execs, who were apparently trying to prove a point by making them wait. As far as Liam was concerned, he had all the time in the world. If this was all going to be over soon, he would sit in this room all day.

After twenty minutes, the doors pushed open, and in rushed six men in suits and Jacinda, who sat next to her father looking smug.

"It's nice to see you Liam.” Jacinda’s father said. “We’ve been trying to schedule this meeting for days. I'm glad you have finally decided to meet with us. Who do you have with you?"

"Well, as I'm sure Jacinda told you, I am making some changes after the tour. I’m bringing back Sue and she has recommended Mr. Thomas here to be my new lawyer."

The man sitting next to him put the papers in the folder and closed it, reaching his hand out. “I’m Mr. Thomas.”

“Mr. Moore,” Jacinda’s father shook it without even looking at him.

"Well, we can certainly welcome them to the team, but I wouldn’t recommend any further changes to the team at this time. After your show tomorrow, we have some spaces available to you for your next album. We reserved a spot for you in Paris, Prague, and if you're feeling homey, one in the Colorado Mountains. All these homes come equipped with a recording studio. We have Miles Flynn ready to produce your new album." He slid over some paperwork to Liam. He looked at it just out of curiosity. All these places were incredible and would be a dream to record in, but they weren’t his dream.

"I'm afraid I'm not interested in any of these. Mr. Thomas reviewed my contract and after my concert tomorrow I have no further contractual obligations."

The man’s eye twitched. "I would have to check on that, but we’ve been working well for years."

"We have, but it was recently brought to my attention just how much was going on behind the scenes without my knowledge. Because of that I have decided to make some changes," Liam said calmly.

"I see," he said coldly. "What changes are you hoping to make?"

"After the concert I am done working with this team and this label. I’ll be taking some time off before my next album to regroup. From there Sue and Mr. Thomas will help me with the next steps."

"I'm not sure that is a wise decision."

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