Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 91783 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 459(@200wpm)___ 367(@250wpm)___ 306(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91783 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 459(@200wpm)___ 367(@250wpm)___ 306(@300wpm)
Jett’s getting his first tooth, and Sonny’s hair is curling at the ends. Both boys babble to each other, in that twin language we’re all so used to from Peyton and Elle. It makes me wonder if the boys and triplets will share their own way of communicating.
As I go, I leave Elle’s door ajar and head back to the front to wait for whoever Mira has sent to meet with me. I should be grateful someone wants to work with me, in any capacity. It’s just hard to accept I’m an aging rock star and the best anyone wants from me and my band is a legacy tour. 4225 West is more than county fairs and a four-band tour at run-down amphitheaters. Not that amphitheaters are bad. It’s the doctor standing stage left waiting to see if one of us is about to keel over that hits home a bit too hard.
When I step into my office, I’m pleasantly surprised to find the window open, and any staleness gone. Offering Elle an office space here was one of the best decisions I’ve made in this business. As her uncle, I never wanted her involved in the industry. She’s proved all of us wrong though and has made a name for herself. Most importantly, she fights for her bands. She puts them first before money, and that is something hard to find in managers sometimes.
I check the time. Bex Alderman, a producer from a boutique operation based out of New York City is who Mira sent to meet with me. Deep down, I know I need to be open to all sorts of business opportunities. Yes, I could keep pushing the band and the tour thing. I could build my producing resume and take on more artists.
I could say fuck it and run for mayor. There isn’t a doubt in my mind I’d win.
Or I take a meeting with Bex and see what she has to offer.
No sooner do I sit back in my chair and put my feet on my desk; do I hear the front door chime. I glance at my watch—she’s early—a good sign in my book and a rarity these days. I walk to the front and am greeted with a wide, bright smile. I don’t know who I expected, but the young woman standing in our small lobby was not it.
Bex has to be in her mid-twenties, no more than thirty, Black, wearing a fitted jacket over a dark turtleneck and jeans. Somehow, her smile widens even more when we make eye contact.
“Mr. Page, I’m Bex Alderman. Thank you for agreeing to meet with me.”
I step forward and shake her outstretched hand. “Please, call me Liam. How was your flight?”
“Nerve-racking, but good.”
“Glad to hear it.” I motion behind me. “Let’s meet in my office. Can I get you something to drink? We have coffee, tea, and an assortment of juices and soft drinks.”
“Coffee would be great.”
I veer off and take her into our breakroom, which Elle keeps fully stocked for all the artists who come in and out of here. I make two cups of coffee, handing the first one to Bex, and tell her to help herself to any of the other items we have available. She makes herself a bagel and offers to make me one as well.
We take our breakfast into my office and instead of me sitting at my desk in some power move, we sit across from each other in the swivel chairs Josie insisted I put in my office. I hadn’t had a need for them until now.
“I’ll be honest, Bex, I’m not sure why you’re here. I was a shit when Mira brought it up to me and brushed her off.”
“That’s okay. I’d rather tell you about my idea in person, anyway.”
“All right. Let’s have it.”
Bex opens her messenger bag and pulls out a storyboard. The first thing I notice is, The Love Line with Liam. My heart does this weird thing where it sinks, fills with dread, but also spikes with excitement.
“I grew up listening to 4225 West,” she starts. “My mom is a huge fan and made sure my brother and I knew about her favorite band. I thought about going into the music business, in some capacity, but I can’t sing or play an instrument. In college, I discovered I had a knack for marketing and as part of my senior project I created Bare Wire Audio. At Bare Wire, we focus on syndicated podcasts of every nature. Our most popular is, of course, true crime, but I’d like to expand and that is where you come in.”
Bex holds up her storyboard. “The Love Line with Liam is an evening call-in show where listeners can call-in, talk to the Liam Page, and ask you about life, love, and everything in between.”