This One is For You

Chapter Eight

Josie

I lace up my black Chucks and throw on a long-sleeved black tee to match. I leave my apartment in my red convertible, and the scent of autumn is in the air. My chest gets all warm at the thought of fall nights. A bonfire must be burning somewhere close, and any semblance of summer is long gone now. This is my favorite season.

When I get to the location my GPS sent me to, Blue Prism Records, I park in the garage and make my way up. I wipe my sweaty palms against my jeans as I round the corner. I'm a mixture of nerves, excitement, dread and, maybe, a little hope.

I find the door number Hudson told me to come to, and I knock twice before opening it slowly.

Hudson and Deanna are seated at a rectangular glass table in plush leather chairs. He's tapping the pen against the glass repeatedly, and I smile. At least he's nervous as well.

I take my seat across from them after saying hello, and we wait for Mark to arrive. Hudson meets my eyes and winks at me, and I can't help the way my stomach clenches. I think back to my shower the other night, and know my cheeks redden despite myself.

"Good evening, everyone." Mark strolls in with a stack of papers and we all sit up a little straighter. "Miss. Josie, glad to see you here."

"Thanks."

He sits down and immediately jumps into a bunch of legal jargon. Deanna states that since I don't have a manager, she will be representing me as well. Which I'm totally okay with. I can't even begin to try and understand the things he's saying.

As they talk, Hudson slides a piece of paper across the table to me.

You nervous?

I pick up then pen and jot my own note back.

Are you kidding? Yes!

He smirks at my response, and spends a moment writing something else before sliding it back.

Grab a late dinner with me after.

I want to, but I need to study. I am hungry, though. I was too nervous to eat before I came. But I have a test tomorrow morning. I shake my head at my own internal battle. I need to eat, so does he. No shame in going together.

As long as I'm not out too late.

We're pulled out of our silent conversation when Mark begins addressing us directly. When he starts shooting out numbers Hudson's direction, I have to place my hand over my mouth to stifle my gasp.

"Hudson, we believe in you. I showed your music to my boss, and he said that you're going to be a big hit. He's agreed to let me give you an eighty-thousand-dollar advance, plus a cut from your streams, EP sales, single plays and whatever other revenue comes from this EP." Mark clasps his hands together, taking his attention off of a pale-faced Hudson to an equally pale-faced me. "Josie, for being on the song you'll get ten grand. You'll also get a cut from the sales, music video and any concert appearance you do that involves the song."

While ten grand is pocket change to my parents, that's the most money I've ever earned on my own. Even better, it'll be all mine. Not siphoned in by them whenever they think I'm running low on funds.

Plus, I get that kind of money just by singing? By doing something I enjoy? Count me in.

I swear I'm going to wake up in my bright pink room any moment now, because this has to be a dream.

"I think we should start recording a week from today, if that works for both of you. I'll go ahead and get the checks made out so they're ready for you then. Do we have a deal?"