Spotlight by Eden Finley Page 0,99

point out.

“Okay, yeah, that argument would probably fly with any other manager. My main point is that while Harley’s advance on your album is nowhere near what you’d get from a big label with Cameron’s help, the royalty rate he’s offering makes it more than a fair deal. What you’ve got to ask yourself is what’s more important to you, family or your career? Maybe you could choose the option Dad never had—a world where he could have both.”

I think back to all the times Dad was away on tour while we sat at home eating ramen because even though Mom worked, three kids on a waitress’s salary barely kept the roof over our heads.

Dad would send money when he could, but he was paid peanuts and spent most of it on his rock star lifestyle.

I have the choice here—fulfill my selfish father’s dream of being a solo artist with a major label or redo history and become the family man he never was.

“Oh, hey,” my brother says, “here’s an idea. You could talk to Ryder about it. Crazy, I know.”

“We fight a lot when it comes to this topic.”

“You know the best thing about fighting? The makeup sex.”

I wince. “I don’t want to know what you and Brenna get up to. Thanks.”

“Think about what’s more important to you and tell Ryder. Maybe he’s willing to do long-distance.”

He might be willing to do that, but I’m not.

And I think I have my answer.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Ryder

I didn’t have any artists in the studio today, but I still found myself unable to work on the stuff I need to get done.

When Lyric finds me, the computer screen in front of me is off, it’s dark outside, and I realize I’ve spaced out again.

“Looks like you’ve got some real productivity going on in here.”

“Hey.” I force a smile. “Is Kaylee already asleep?”

“Yep.”

“It’s so gonna suck when you leave.” Which is what I’ve been dwelling on all day. Because I know it’s going to happen.

“When I leave?”

“Yeah. When you sign with Cameron.”

Lyric looks at me as if my words hold some significant meaning. “You want me to sign with Cameron?”

“I can’t make that call, but I do know it’s the smart decision.”

He pulls the spare chair next to me and takes a seat. “This studio has so many memories already attached to it. Our first kiss. Our first … more than a kiss. My first demo. Recording my first original single.”

“What’s your point?” Is this goodbye? This sounds like the beginning of a goodbye speech.

“What if I told you I was seriously thinking about taking Harley’s offer?”

My heart stutters. I can’t have heard that right, but I try to keep things light. “I’d say you’re an idiot, and your brother must be a shit contract lawyer if he didn’t tell you Cameron is the right choice.”

“Oh, he told me to go with Cameron.”

“Then why would you—” For me. Oh, shit. “Don’t sign with Harley for me. I mean, it’s a nice gesture, and I want that more than ever, but like you’ve been saying this whole time, you have to do your career your way. I shouldn’t be a factor when it comes to making this decision.”

Lyric looks like I just punched him in the heart.

I turn to him and grab his hands. “I don’t want to be the reason you pass up an opportunity with Cameron. I know what he can do for your career. And if you make the wrong choice here, I can’t be the one you grow to resent because of it.”

“What if you were a factor but not the deciding one?” Lyric can’t look me in the eye.

“What was the deciding one?”

“When Chord called me, I was holding my breath and hoping he’d tell me to sign with Harley. My gut is leaning in that direction. Creative control. I get to work with you. I get to spend the next year creating an album and a brand with you and Harley while still being here with Kaylee.”

“You … want that?”

Lyric lets out a loud breath. “I don’t want to scare you off, but yeah. I fucking want that. My father would absolutely think I’m making the wrong decision, but the thing is, I promised myself, and my mother, that I would do things differently. I want to be smart about this, and Cameron’s offer is shiny and pretty and one of those insane change your life type deals. My dad wouldn’t have even hesitated to leave his family for an