probably can’t even fathom. It was an eye-opener for me at eighteen.
Holding him back from that isn’t fair.
“Stop thinking,” Lyric mumbles.
“I’m not.”
“You are. You’re all tense. It makes me think I didn’t fuck you hard enough to turn your brain off.”
“You might have to do it again.”
He rolls on top of me. “I’m suddenly not so tired anymore.”
Neither am I. Though I’m going to be wrecked in the morning.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Lyric
Ryder’s been acting weird ever since I told him about the offers from Harley and Cameron. It’s been days of forced smiles and soft kisses. Whenever I’ve asked him what’s wrong, his voice has gone high-pitched and squeaky as he lets out a weak “Nothing! I’m fine.”
Mmhmm, fine. Everyone knows when someone says they’re fine, they’re not fine.
It’s why I didn’t tell him the contracts came through yesterday, and I promptly sent them to my brother.
I expect him to call me any moment to tell me what he thinks, even though I already know.
What Cameron is offering is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. One my father never got to see.
Harley’s contract is a risk. A big one. But it sounds so damn perfect.
My gut clenches.
I think that point is in both the pros and cons column. I loved working on my demo with Ryder. He makes me a better artist while not stepping on my creative side. But Harley’s offer is still tainted by Ryder’s connection to it, and signing with him and what I’m sure will be seen as a boy band label feels like selling out even more than signing with the biggest manager and possibly the biggest label in the industry.
My prejudices are pushing me toward Cameron.
Choosing Ryder and Harley’s venture would feel like choosing my boyfriend over my future, and when did I become that person?
“I think it’s buttered,” Kaylee says.
I look down at my hands to find them making a sandwich. Huh.
Can anyone say distracted?
“What was I making again?”
She folds her little arms. “Peanut butter.”
“Oh. Of course.”
“You’re dis-tacted.”
“Distracted? Me? Never.”
“Now, you lie!”
I ruffle her dark hair. “Nothing for you to worry about.”
Kaylee is another factor in all this. We’ve bonded. This time last week, I was spending quality time with Ryder and Kaylee, and it felt like we were a family. I don’t want to leave her.
I love being her nanny.
If I choose Harley, I could keep that even if it’s only until she starts school. It’s more time.
I finish making her lunch and slide her plate over to her. “There you go.”
She takes it and moves toward the dining table.
“You’re welcome,” I say sarcastically.
She giggles. “Thank you, Lyric.”
“That’s better.”
My phone rings in my pocket, and my heart leaps into my throat when I see Chord’s name. I sink to the tiled floor and lean against the kitchen cabinet.
I’m scared of what he’s going to say because I really, really, really want him to pick Harley so I have a business reason to go with the riskier choice.
“Hey,” I answer.
“Did you win the music lottery?”
“Huh?”
“Cameron Verikas.”
“Oh. Right. That.”
“And Harley Valentine? When you said you’d been offered contracts, I was prepared to tell you how slimy and crappy they were.”
“So, they’re both good?”
“For a first-time artist? Yeah, they’re really damn good.”
“Which … who do you think I should sign with?”
Please say Harley. Please say Harley. Please say Harley.
“Cameron. Duh. No-brainer.”
Damn. “That’s what I thought.”
“You don’t sound happy about that.”
“Of course I’m happy.”
Chord hesitates. “This is because of Ryder, isn’t it?”
“With Harley’s contract, I’d be working with Ryder and staying here for a while. With Cameron, I could be anywhere next week.”
“I didn’t realize it was so serious with Ryder.”
“It’s not. I mean, I don’t think it is. I have all these stupid fantasies of being a family, and how dumb is that? We haven’t even used the L-word and I’m thinking about rearranging my life for him. I’m thinking of turning Cameron down for him. Could you imagine if Dad were alive right now? He’d kick my ass for not going with Cameron.”
“Dad would be proud of you for landing any contract.” Chord’s voice is soft and sincere.
“I’d be an idiot to pass on Cameron’s offer.”
“Nah, not an idiot. I think you’re looking at this all wrong.”
“Wrong how?”
“If Cameron’s offer was the only one, yeah, I’d think you were an idiot for turning it down. Harley’s contract is riskier, no doubt, but it’s also an actual record deal. Cameron could sign you and dump you in a few months if you don’t get anywhere with labels.”
“He’s Cameron Verikas,” I