Crazy in Love. Crystal B. Bright

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СКАЧАТЬ All the ones you like.” Truman blinked and a tear almost escaped his eye. Only his son could draw out a reaction like that out of him.

      “Daddy, can you sing me one now?”

      Before he could sing a note, Truman heard Ashley in the background screaming. “Daddy will need to send more money before he can sing to you over the phone.”

      Truman gritted his teeth. “I love you.”

      “I love you, sugar.” Ashley chuckled. “But you know we’re no good for each other. I’ll be waiting for more money.”

      Ashley disconnected the call. Truman slid his phone back into his pocket. So among everything else going on in his life, he had to find a job so that he could send more money to Ashley.

      Screams from kids riding on a nearby Ferris wheel filtered through the trailer walls and broke his concentration. He adjusted his baseball cap on his head and took in a deep breath. Ordinarily, he liked the scent of freshly made popcorn and cotton candy. Now it all smelled like defeat.

      “I thought we were done with gigs like these.” Sully kicked his boot against Truman’s.

      “This gig is better than some.” Truman picked up his guitar. “It’s a county fair and not a dive bar.” When he noticed his friends starting to get ready to argue about the types of shows they’d been playing, he barreled through with his statement. “We get an album out, I think we’ll be done with shows like these. Consider this as us paying our dues.”

      “Are we ever going to record in a studio?” Tony, their fiddler, chewed on his lower lip.

      Truman held up his hand. “We’re a hard-working group. We’re going to get picked up.” At least he hoped they did. He understood the ruthlessness of the music business. It would be nothing for them to never get a deal.

      His one hope rested with a recording studio in Virginia Beach with an owner who sounded like she cared about him, his band, and the music. Then he heard Fatima Evans had passed away six months ago. With his champion gone, what chance did they have?

      “I need some air.” Truman sat his guitar back down and walked out of the trailer.

      As soon as Charlie spotted him, his friend went back inside the trailer. Great.

      Truman paced to work out some anxiety. His cowboy boots sank into the lush green grass. As the leader, he didn’t want to go on this music journey without the guys he considered to be like his brothers.

      Truman’s phone buzzed in his pocket. He fished it out and answered it when he saw that the number came from a Virginia phone. He crossed his fingers, hoping for something good to happen.

      “Mr. Woodley?”

      Truman heard an unfamiliar gruff voice. “Yeah?”

      He looked toward the stage. It looked like the last band had finished their set. Truman Woodley and the Sliders would be next.

      “My name is Craig George. I’m a music manager, and I’m helping with the transition of Charisma Music Studio. I believe you signed a contract with the late Fatima Evans.”

      Perfect. They had this guy call Truman to politely tell him that he and his friends wouldn’t be able to record their album. He knew he had made the right decision not telling the guys that he had a development deal with Charisma.

      “Why are you calling me now?” He didn’t want to put words in the man’s mouth by asking if he and his bandmates lost their contract.

      Craig cleared his throat. “I need to discuss your record deal, but I want to do it in person. Are you in here in Virginia Beach?”

      “Uh, no. We’re doing a show in Roanoke, Virginia right now. We’ll be back sometime tomorrow.” Truman’s back already ached when he thought about the rough ride in the van for the long trip back home.

      “Okay, how about the day after tomorrow? Come to my office. I’ll text you the address.”

      Patience had never been Truman’s virtue. “Are we getting dropped?”

      Craig laughed, and that made Truman bristle. He didn’t see his career as a laughing matter.

      After the laughter died down, Craig composed himself enough to explain his reaction. “I don’t think Charisma plans on not honoring your contract.”

      Away from the phone receiver, Truman released a long sigh. At least he had something to tell the guys other than saying that everything will be fine. He had a meeting with a stranger who assured him that he had nothing to worry about as far as their first album. Now he worried again.

      Craig gave Truman a time and location for the meeting before the call ended. A young volunteer jogged to the trailer and called for the group. Each of them filed out one by one, glaring at Truman as they headed toward the stage area.

      “Hey, guys. Wait up.” Truman ducked into the trailer long enough to get his guitar. He caught up with his friends.

      “You all right to play?” Sully hung his guitar strap on his shoulder.

      “Great now. I got some kick-ass news.” Truman beamed. “I have a meeting about our album when we get home.”

      “Album? What album?” Tony scratched his head.

      “We have a deal with a label and they want to meet with me on Friday to discuss our album.”

      Charlie grabbed Truman’s arm first. “You’re shitting me.” He slapped Truman on his back. “That’s awesome.”

      “I told you guys not to worry.” Truman damn near skipped as he relayed the news.

      “This is happening. It’s really happening.” Ervin pumped his fist in the air before releasing a loud howl.

      “Wait. Before everyone gets too excited.” Sully stopped his trek to the stage, which halted everyone else’s journey. “Did you sign us to a label already without discussing it with us?”

      Truman made sure to look each of his friends in their eyes. “Yes. Almost a year ago, I met up with a woman named Fatima Evans. She seemed excited about signing a country group. So she asked if I would take a chance on her and her label and sign with her. I got a good feeling and did it.”

      “Without telling us?” Sully slammed the butt of his guitar on the ground.

      “And what did you mean by taking a chance on us? Why would we be a risk?” Charlie’s excited demeanor started to fade.

      Truman dropped his gaze for a moment. “Because she normally records R&B, pop, and rap.”

      “Rap?” Tony’s eyes widened. “And she knows we’re country?”

      “Knew.” Truman rested his hand on his stomach. “After I signed the contract, I didn’t hear from her. Then I found out she passed away about six months ago. I waited about a month after her death to make some inquiries. I hadn’t heard back from anyone until today.”

      “This is when СКАЧАТЬ