Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 76759 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76759 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
“But if you’re following the band around,” Mom says, “are you going to have the chance to see many of the sights? Going to Europe is an experience you should never forget. There’s so much culture and so many things to see and do.”
“I’ll do that during the day.”
“Not if Rory needs you as her assistant,” Mom says.
Ugh, why did I lie? Mom will probably talk to Rory, and she’s not going to know what the hell I’m talking about.
Better to lay my cards on the table now.
“I’m sorry, Mom, Dad. That wasn’t true. I’m not going to be acting as Rory’s assistant. The truth of the matter is that…I just want to go.”
“Can you tell us why?” Dad asks.
“Because I want to. It’s a wonderful opportunity to see Europe with members of my family already there.”
“We can’t force her to stay, Talon,” Mom says. “She’s twenty-two years old.”
“How do you expect to pay for the trip?” Dad asks.
Really? Is he going to play that card? “The trip isn’t going to cost all that much. I have more than enough in savings. And even if I didn’t, I can’t think of a better use of a withdrawal from my trust fund than international travel.”
Dad sighs. “You’re right, blue eyes. We can’t stop her.”
I lean toward Dad and grab his hand. “I am sorry to disappoint you both. But this is going to be an amazing experience for me. I’ll text you every day. Call you when I can. Take lots of pictures.”
“All right, sweetie,” Mom says.
Dad still doesn’t look happy, but he gives a reluctant nod.
I take a sip of my coffee.
One hurdle.
Now…to figure out how to get the band to make peace with my presence.
Time to talk to Brock and Rory.
Chapter Eight
Jesse
The next morning, Brock and Rory arrive, and the three of us sit down to go over the logistics of the tour.
Emerald Phoenix is starting in London, will do two performances there over the span of six days to allow for getting over jet lag, and then we head north for a performance in Edinburgh, and then one in Glasgow. Back to London for one more performance. Then we fly to Paris.
Two concerts in Paris, and then Brussels, Berlin, Munich, Vienna, Venice, Florence, Rome, Barcelona, Madrid, and then back to Paris for an encore performance, and then we’ll fly home.
The entire tour will take nearly four months.
“Will there be any time for sightseeing?” Brock asks.
“Jett says there should be plenty,” I tell him. “We’ll have some full days off. But there will be a lot of rehearsal. He’s going to send me a full itinerary within the next week. We’ll have the days off on it by then, and you can schedule your sightseeing around the rehearsal blocks.”
“Sounds good. Callie and Donny will be with us for the UK portion,” Rory says.
“I know,” I say. “Mom’s sending Maddie along as well. That way all four of us can experience the UK together.”
“That’s a lovely idea,” Rory says. “I don’t know why one of us didn’t think of it.”
“Because we’ve been too busy thinking about the concert tour,” I say. “I feel bad that I didn’t think about it either. We can blame Callie. She doesn’t have her head in rock and roll. Maybe she should’ve thought of it.”
Rory laughs. “Good enough for me. Placing the blame on Callie it is.”
I take a sip of coffee. “So, Brock, you said you were going to invest in our merch.”
“Absolutely.”
“I’ve got some quotes.” I shove the paper toward him. “Let me know if you think this is reasonable. If we sell out, you’ll be paid off and then some.”
“All I need to do is recoup my investment. All the profits go to the band.”
“You should get paid for your troubles, Brock,” Rory says.
“All I want is my money back, but if it makes you feel better, baby, give me two percent or something.”
I pull the paper back. “Two percent it is.”
“All right,” Rory says. “Now we have to figure out which numbers we’re going to perform.”
“I know,” I say. “I’ve had that on my mind. We can’t do any covers, obviously, because people are going to be paying to see this, and I don’t want to mess with royalty payments. We can’t afford them anyway. So we’ll be doing all original tunes.”
“We have to do ‘Faint of Heart,’” Rory says.
“Absolutely. That’s number one on my list. Cage thinks we should do ‘Flyaway.’”
“Yeah, that’s a good one. And how about that other one? ‘Three’s a Crowd’?”
“That’s a solo for the male,” I say.
“I know, but it’s such a gorgeous song.”
I shake my head. “Sis, Emerald Phoenix asked us to open for them because they like you and me singing together. We need songs that showcase both of us.”
“Can you write a part for me?”