The Sophomore (College Years #2) - Monica Murphy Page 0,91

it.” She gives me a sweet peck on the lips anyway, pulling away before I can demand more. “Good luck. You’ve got this.”

“This one feels right to me,” I tell her, suddenly nervous.

Scared.

Damn it, I’ve never been scared talking to any of these record label people. Not once. I’m the one who always acted like I’ve got nothing to lose, and they’ve had everything to gain. But right now, I’m worried I’ll somehow mess this up.

And I don’t want to. Not with this label.

Ellie’s expression turns serious too. As if she understands how important this is to me, even though I haven’t said that out loud yet. The girl can read my mind. She’s so attuned to me. Just like I’m tuned in to her.

“You’re going to be fine. I’m sure they already love you,” she whispers, patting me in the center of my chest. She curls her fingers around the chain dangling from my neck, pulling on it so I have no choice but to meet her lips one more time for a gentle kiss. “Just be yourself, Jackson. They won’t be able to resist you.”

I blow out a harsh breath, leaning my forehead against hers for a beat as I gather my thoughts and nerves. “Right. Okay. You coming back to my apartment? We’re having a small get-together. I want you there.”

“I wasn’t planning on it,” she admits, biting her lower lip in that way of hers. I want to be the one who bites that lip. “I was kind of mad at you.”

“You still mad?” I hang on her every word, praying she doesn’t reject me.

“A little.” She shrugs. A small smile tickling the corners of her lips. “How can I stay mad when you write me dirty songs?”

“Then it worked.” I squeeze her hand as she slowly pulls away from me. “I won’t be too long, I don’t think. I’m not sure how this is going to go.”

“It’ll be great.” She smiles.

I wish I had as much faith in myself as she has in me.

I watch her leave the room, my gaze glued on her ass, exhaling loudly with relief that she’s not completely pissed at me. The minute she’s gone, three dudes and an extraordinarily beautiful woman stride into the dressing room, all wearing matching cool smiles on their faces as they study me with undisguised interest.

It’s a little creepy. I feel like an animal locked up in a zoo.

The one in the expensive suit steps forward, his hand thrust out toward me. “Jackson, a pleasure to meet you. I’m Rick.”

I shake his hand. “Nice to finally meet you.”

“Terrific performance tonight. Really enthusiastic crowd,” he says, nodding as he glances around the cramped dressing room. “No alcohol to celebrate?”

“Wanted to keep a clear head,” I tell him truthfully.

“Got it. Well, we think you’re fabulous. Amazing. Such a unique sound, considering the market currently. Great rendition of Vultures. Mayer is a lyrical genius,” Rick gushes.

“Thanks.” I’m suddenly filled with the need to have a shot to calm my nerves.

“And that new song. ‘Pink’? That’s a hit in the making right there,” Rick continues. “A little fine tuning is all it would take to turn it into a chart topper.”

“No shit?” I rub my jaw. I wrote it for Ellie, never thinking it could be an actual hit. I just wrote it to work my feelings out.

“Very racy,” the attractive woman says with a faint smile, her gaze meeting mine. Her eyes are ice blue, her hair platinum blonde, her skin is smooth as silk, and her tits look ready to bust out of the low neckline of her shirt. “Lots of innuendo.”

“More than innuendo. We can all figure out what you were singing about.” Rick laughs. “Though you don’t come right out and say it.”

“Yeah.” I smile, glancing around at each of them. “I’m glad you enjoyed the performance.”

“We did. We did. We’re, uh, we’re also very interested in the band that opened for you. Cupid’s Bow.” Rick shakes his head, rubbing his jaw with his hand. “Those boys were something else.”

My stomach sinks. “Did you talk to them?”

“We did. We did.” He nods repeatedly, overly enthusiastic. “We set up an appointment with them next week.”

“Great. They’re an awesome bunch of guys,” I say, fighting disappointment.

Rick keeps rambling, and the other guys chime in, introducing themselves to me, though I immediately forget their names. The woman eyes me like a piece of meat she wants to consume. They talk and talk, but they don’t say anything