For the Win - Raine Thomas Page 0,132
indicated that Suddenly Something has sold more records since you joined them than before. I also pulled up a lot more photos of you than Brandon when I did my searches. You have more followers on social media and a larger fan club. That has to chap Brandon’s ass.”
Archer’s smile widened. He decided he liked Lily Montgomery. His smile faded, though, as he remembered what Brandon had said.
“You may be right,” he said, “but those things won’t necessarily translate into a successful solo career.”
“You cut a solo album a few years ago, right?”
A flush heated the back of his neck, prompting him to reach up and rub it away. “Yeah. It didn’t do too well.”
“It flopped major. The label dumped you like a flaming turd.”
Insult leaped up to join embarrassment. “Gee, thanks.”
“Well, it’s true,” she said pragmatically. “But for goodness’ sake…you were a geeky thirteen-year-old whose voice was still transitioning and it was your first attempt at a music career after years of acting. The press was bound to be brutal with you. You can hardly expect that you’d have the same experience now, especially after the success you’ve achieved with Suddenly Something. Besides, no one said you have to go solo. Just start over with band mates you actually like.”
He considered that. Coming from someone who sounded objective, the words held more power. He wanted to believe her. Part of him, he was surprised to discover, actually did.
“Why did you do so much research if you’re not a fan?” he wondered.
“I’ve been researching an article for my school’s newspaper. My uncle invited me along tonight so I could try and get an interview or two to beef up the piece. I was going to enter it into the school’s journalism contest. Then I got stuck in this supply closet thanks to a couple of your bitchy fans who thought I was backstage to jump you or someone else in the band. Guess they were eliminating possible competition.”
“You’re an aspiring journalist?”
“An aspiring writer,” she clarified. “Not sure if journalism’s the way I want to go, but I’m giving it a shot.”
“Ah. Do you attend a local college?”
“High school. I’m only sixteen.”
His eyebrows lifted. She was nearly the same age as him. “You sure sound older. You speak like…I don’t know. Like a snooty grown-up.”
She huffed at that. “It’s called maturity.”
“I was going to say nerdiness.”
“Well that’s certainly true.”
Her response made him laugh. It was refreshing to meet someone who didn’t take herself too seriously. His attention turned as the security guard strode down the tunnel with a member of the maintenance staff. It didn’t take long for the maintenance worker to confirm the lock wouldn’t open with a key. He hurried off to find the right tools to remove the handle.
Ignoring the few people who started trickling down the tunnel, Archer resumed his vigil on the opposite side of the locked door. “What’s going to be the topic of this article you’re writing?” he asked Lily.
“I haven’t figured out the angle yet,” she replied. “I had hoped something would click after the interviews. It’s pretty hard to think of things to write that haven’t already been done to death.”
He nodded in understanding. “It’s the same in trying to succeed in the music industry. You have to stand out and shine if you’re going to make it big. Not an easy thing to do with so many other artists out there.”
There was a brief pause. “I don’t get it, Dane,” Lily said at last. “What are you so afraid of?”
Archer frowned over the blunt question. “That’s easy enough for you to say. You’re not the one facing the idea of trying to make it on your own after failing so badly before.”
“You’re right, I’m not. And neither are you. What you’re doing is considering making a change while you’re already on the cusp of stardom...a change that could finally push you over the edge into the success you so obviously want.”
He bristled over her pointed statement even though he knew she was right. “You make it all sound so simple,” he grumbled. “What if all that’s waiting for me over that edge is an empty void?”
“Then you make the world crave to be in that void right along with you.”
Lily’s calm and practical responses eased the anxiety and pressure that Archer had carried into the conversation. By the time her uncle and the maintenance worker returned with the tools and removed the door handle to free her, he’d made a decision that would change the course of his future.
The door finally opened and Lily stumbled out, blinking against the light. Archer helped steady her before she turned to give her waiting uncle a hug. It somehow didn’t surprise Archer when Lily then turned back to him and hugged him, too.
Overall, her appearance suited the image he had formed in his head while they talked. Her hair was pulled back into a sensible ponytail. Rectangular dark-rimmed glasses perched on her lightly-freckled nose, framing her highly intelligent gaze. Silver braces gleamed as she shifted away from him and flashed a grateful smile.
The only trait that surprised him was her petite size. With her strong opinions and clear determination, he somehow pictured a much more domineering physical presence. Lily looked more like a woodland sprite than the pit bull he’d imagined.
“Thanks for your help, Dane,” she said. “Now can someone point me in the direction of the closest bathroom before my bladder explodes?”
“Sure,” Archer replied before casually adding, “and after that, how would you like some content for the story you came here to write?”
Her eyes sharpened with what he interpreted as approval. “You’re going to do it?”
“Yep. You convinced me, Lily Montgomery. Let’s go turn the music world on its ear.”
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Acknowledgements
As For the Win’s dedication indicates, this book was written in the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. I actually started the basic outline of this book a few years ago. I had even written the first chapter and had the cover designed, but other projects took precedence.
After I finished the House of Archer series, I knew I wanted to write this book next. I started the outline, but lost my motivation as I dealt with handling the matters of my mother’s estate. Some time around the end of 2019, I finally picked that outline back up and dusted it off, working on it here and there until February when I finished it.
In March of 2020, the world started closing down. My full-time job in events was severely impacted. Everyone’s hours were cut and jobs were lost, leaving me with unexpected time on my hands. It was a devastating time, yet it allowed me the freedom to write this book. The first draft of For the Win was done five weeks later.
I’ve always believed things happen for a reason. While I can’t say I’m grateful for the COVID-19 pandemic, I am grateful for the time I had to write Jasmine, Will, and Katie’s story. These characters have found a special place in my heart, and I hope they capture the hearts of my readers too!
My husband, Kevin, and my daughter, Faith, were kind enough to entertain themselves elsewhere while we were all homebound so I could write. My thanks and my love, as always, go to both of them. I’m such a lucky wife and mom!
Thanks also go out to my incredible alpha reader, Debbie Prins, who asked me every day when the next chapters were coming and kept me motivated as I worked. You’re an awesome cheerleader, Debbie!
My amazing beta readers, Marilyn Almodovar, Jessie Wentz, Bethany Lopez, and Melody Sosa, get my next round of high fives and thank-yous. You ladies are just remarkable! I can’t express enough how much I appreciate the time you gave to this book to make it ready for publishing.
And, of course, thank you to my readers. You all amaze me! I’m so grateful for your support and the reviews you leave to encourage other readers to give my books a try. I couldn’t do this without you!