Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 78387 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 392(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78387 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 392(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
Liam jumps into frame and the comments move so fast I can’t keep up with them. Father and son compare their shaved heads, and then Quinn makes an appearance. I look at Ben, to see if he’s going to join them, but he shakes his head. One look at him, compared to the three of them, and you’ll be able to see who they did this for. Noah finally bids a farewell to everyone, and Peyton ends the livestream.
“Damn, we did not plan this very well. We could’ve turned this into a massive fundraiser,” Liam says.
“Right, we could’ve had the team to do it or something.”
“Would they do it for someone they don’t know?” Ben asks.
“In a heartbeat,” Noah says. “They’re always looking for something to do, and this is right up their alley.”
“Well, we missed the boat,” I say, hoping to curb anyone from saying “next time”. If I have my way, there won’t be a next time.
Quinn and Noah stay outside and clean up, while the rest of us make our way back into the house. Peyton says she’s calling the moms to talk about dinner.
“Elle, do you mind if I borrow you for a minute?” Liam asks.
“Just sixty seconds?” I joke.
“More like thirty minutes. I want to show you something.”
I glance at Ben, who tells me he’s fine and follow Liam outside. He holds the door of his SUV open for me. Once he’s behind the steering wheel, I ask, “Where are we going?”
“I want to show you the studio.”
“Oh.” I’m slightly caught off guard. I wasn’t expecting him to even give his new studio a second thought where I’m concerned. It’s a quick drive downtown and once we park, we run into my mom and Josie, whose arms are full of bags. We help them put the food in the back of my mom’s rental.
“You cut your hair,” Josie states.
“Uh . . .”
“Oh my, they all did it, didn’t they?” Mom asks and I nod.
“Except Peyton, Grandpa, and me.”
“Oliver?” Mom asks. I look at her oddly.
“Um, he barely has any hair.” I remind her. “Besides, he was sleeping through all of it.”
She puts her hand over her chest, relieved.
“Mom, seriously, do you think Peyton and I would’ve allowed the guys to cut his hair? Geez, way to trust us.”
“I do, it’s just—”
I shake my head at her, while Liam laughs. “Come on, Elle.” We leave my erratic mother and her best friend and head up a staircase. At the top of the stairs, the hallway splits off. There’s a photography studio, a dentist office, and another flight of stairs. The sign on the door we’re standing in front of says FMG Records.
“FMG Records?”
Liam unlocks the door and turns on the light. The space is small, quaint, and set up similarly to the studio we use in Los Angeles.
“This one time, when I was eighteen or so, I knew Josie was going to be my forever girl. When I decided to open the studio, I needed a name. I tried using our initials, but nothing worked, and then one night, it hit me. I changed the letters around and created FMG Records.”
I look at the equipment and run my finger over the sound board. I miss my groups and miss being with them. “Why did you bring me here?”
Liam sits on the stool and motions for me to sit in the producer’s chair. “I want you to work for me while you’re here.”
“I’m not working right now.”
“I get it, but hear me out. Ever since I moved back, more and more, I find talent playing at Ralph’s, and the bars in Allenville. Some of them are really good, but I don’t have the time or believe it or not, the knowledge to get them to the next level. You have to remember, I was discovered. Someone helped me create a demo, introduced me to the right people, set up gigs at bigger venues. This is what I see FMG Records doing for people.”
“I think this is great, Uncle Liam, but I already told my bands that I’m not working, remember. You and dad are supposed to be helping me out. I can’t ditch them for new talent.”
“We are one hundred percent on board with helping, and I’m not asking you to ditch. I’m asking you to help me, while I’m helping you. The talent is here, I just need you to discover it, help them cut a demo, and get the ball rolling. The 4225 West team will do the rest.”
“I don’t know,” I tell him. I’m excited and love the opportunity, but I promised Ben.
“What if we bring your bands here?” he asks. “Plum is almost done and this is a great place for them to record their full album. Quinn can get his band here and Talking Til Dawn is still working on getting a hit. They could play the local bars, maybe set up a benefit for cancer, and we can have them play with Sinful Distraction.”