More Than Maybe - Erin Hahn Page 0,79

your numbers. I’m sure you’re tracking them the most. If it were me—”

“Sorry, no. I, um, muted the link. It was a misunderstanding and won’t be repeated.”

“But surely you plan to take advantage of the fifteen minutes of fame.”

“No, actually. As I said, it was a misunderstanding.”

“But it’s gotten you a ton of interest in your little podcast,” Steven breaks in. “You’ve hit the top downloaded podcasts for the month on iTunes.”

My head shoots up, looking for confirmation from Cullen, who nods, shrugging, as if to say, Welllll, you didn’t ask.

“I wasn’t aware of that,” I say. “But it doesn’t matter. For the podcast, sure, but I’m not looking for a career in singing.”

Clyde shakes his empty glass at my mother like she’s a bartender, and more than anything else, that irritates me. No one treats someone like that in their home. My mum’s gaze is steely, but she refills it because she’s British and fucking polite. My dad clears his throat uncomfortably.

“Thank you, my love,” he says in a low tone.

“Don’t mention it,” she says tightly.

“Well, now maybe you can understand why a few well-placed plugs for the Bad Apple would go far,” Clyde says to me. “Particularly in the local community, though we’ve been tossing around the idea of global reach. Want to take advantage of a good situation, am I right?”

“How would that work?” Cullen asks. “You plan to ship booze?”

“More like ship swag. Take, for example, the business model used by the Hard Rock Cafe and Ron Jon Surf Shop. All locally owned and operated with global reach. The Bad Apple can become a brand for whatever we want, honestly. Whatever you want, even. We can start with some photos on T-shirts and some other swag. Famous podcast twins Luke and Cullen Greenly of the Bad Apple Inc. Obviously, we’d cut you in. We’d pay you for the rights to use your song, too, Luke.”

And there it is. “No.”

“No to the swag?”

“No to all of it. No to the swag, no to the exploitive marketing, and definitely no to the song rights.”

“No offense, Luke,” Steven says, giving a smarmy smile, “but you haven’t even heard our offer. We could make you very rich with that one song.”

“It’s not for sale.”

“You wouldn’t have to pay for college.”

I look to my dad, but he’s staring into his glass, swirling the ice. “Dad,” I say, and I hate how pleading my voice is. But if ever there were a time to step in, this is it.

He sighs heavily, putting down his glass. “Mates,” he says to his partners. “If the lad says no, he says no. It’s his song.”

“You said he would help,” Steven reminds my dad.

“No,” my dad says, more firmly. “I said you could ask him. It’s his music, and he’s an adult. If he doesn’t give you permission, my hands are tied.”

“What about the plug?” Clyde says. “Forget the rest for now. Maybe we’re getting ahead of ourselves.” He laughs shortly. “You’ll have to forgive us. We’re big dreamers.”

“This vintage is excellent, Iris. Would you mind getting some more of it? It seems I’ve used the last.” Steven digs in his wallet, pulling out a bill. My mum’s eyes grow enormous, and my dad looks a little green. “Go ahead with her, Charlie. I’d like to get to know the boys a little better and lay out more of our business plan in living color.”

I about choke on my own tongue. This is ridiculous. They can’t dismiss my parents like that. My dad looks legitimately torn, and I want to scream.

I glance at my brother, and this time his meaning is clear. It’s up to you. The thing is, it wouldn’t be hard to hear them out. Play along for my dad’s sake. I could even go so far as to plug the venue. We could easily work it to plug both venues in the same podcast. One at the start and one at the end.

It’d be cake, and everyone would be happy.

But as my mum goes to get her purse, I lose my cool. Because this stupid club has turned my family inside out in such a short time, and while I love my dad, I’m not about to go along with this. Not for these guys. Clyde and Steven and their smarmy shoes and their patronizing smiles. No one dismisses my brilliant mum.

“I’ve been abundantly clear about my view on this. Never once have I encouraged your enterprise in town, and most definitely not