David
The annoying buzz of Sarah’s alarm clock sounded and I felt her warmth leave me. I opened my eyes as she silenced the thing and then she took off to the bathroom before I could say good morning. I couldn’t believe the time. I’d never slept until seven a.m. a day in my life and was surprised that I’d managed to sleep so peacefully. I credited Sarah being in my arms, she was such a sound sleeper and I missed her closeness already. I got to my feet and headed to the kitchen to put on some coffee while she turned the shower on.
I looked in her freezer and found frozen waffles and stuck a couple in the toaster. By the time she came out, toweling off her hair, her breakfast was ready. “You’re going to have me so spoiled,” she said, taking a bite of her waffle. “I need to get my hair dry now, though, or I’ll never make it in on time. I’m taking the car. I figured you’d get there a lot easier in a cab, if you don’t mind. I’ll leave the number and address.” She ran back to the room, still toweling off her hair and it wasn’t long until I heard her hair dryer going.
She was in such a rush, and I wondered if this was what all of her mornings were like. I’d have a lot to get used to for sure. I turned on the TV and found the news, but everything was so different. I didn’t understand half of the places they mentioned or my relation to them. I’d have to get used to my surroundings and I guessed I would over time. It was exciting in some ways, and not so much in others. Give me a guitar and a stage and I’d be right at home. One had to be just like another. At least I hoped.
Before I knew it Sarah was ready to leave and she leaned in and kissed my cheek before heading to the door. “I’ll see you in a few hours.”
I could tell she was trying to be strong and optimistic. I wished I could go with her. I don’t know what made me think she’d never leave my side, but it wasn’t until the moment she shut the door, that that reality kicked in. I got up and went to the window waiting to see if I could see her on her way to her car. I backed away, not wanting to look like a ninny, but minutes later, I stepped closer when she approached her car, got in, and drove away. I didn’t have a phone or anything to call her. All I had was my appointment and for some reason I couldn’t get excited about it. I tried to pump myself up, but something about Rowena just didn’t feel right. I hoped I was wrong about everything, but I had a nagging feeling in the pit of my stomach.
I went ahead and got ready and then passed the time strumming my guitar and making sure it was in tune. I packed it up and headed out after calling the cab and waited downstairs for it to arrive. It was my first ever cab ride, and if things went well today, the first of many.
We stopped out front of a large building and I approached the door, seeing a large sign that read: Elder Tree Management and went inside to the front desk. The lady gave me instructions and I took the elevator up and it opened to a registration desk and a small waiting room.
The lady behind the desk smiled politely. “May I help you?”
“Yes, ma’am, I’m here to see Rowena Burke. I have an appointment. I’m David Dawson.” The door behind her opened up and there was a room full of desks just on the other side of the wall. I heard phones ringing and voices and wondered if that was where Sarah was. I missed her. I took a deep breath as the lady told me to take a seat. I sat down, tapping my foot nervously. I rubbed my palms on my jeans, hoping I wouldn’t appear as nervous as I felt. This was the big chance I’d waited my whole life for.
“Right this way, Mr. Dawson.” I stood and followed her into the room, and though there were a handful of people inside, I didn’t see Sarah anywhere.
I hoped she’d be in the office with Rowena waiting on me, but as the receptionist opened the door, I could see that Rowena was alone.
Rowena stood and walked around her desk to welcome me. She extended her hand, which seemed harmless enough, and then took the liberty of pulling me into a quick embrace. I stiffened but forced a smile.
“I’m so excited, David. Today’s the big day. I went ahead and got your contracts fast-tracked in so we’re all set if you are. I think you’ll find we’re going to take very good care of you here at Elder Tree.” She patted a chair, offering me a seat and then hurried around her desk.
I took a seat and glanced to the stack of papers on her desk. “I’m sure you will. Sarah’s said some great things about your company.” I noticed her back stiffen at the mention of Sarah’s name.
“Yes, well, she’s certainly a great young woman. We appreciate her so much here.” She pushed the papers toward me and then slapped a pen down atop the stack. “I say we shouldn’t waste any more time. Glance over these and sign or initial where indicated. The sooner we get the ball rolling, the better.”
I took the pen and then pulled the papers closer. I turned through the pages, glancing over a lot of numbers and percentages that seemed almost surreal, and though I wasn’t any kind of dummy when it came to figures, I still didn’t know this industry. I needed Sarah. Before I could speak, something caught my eye on the page. “Who’s this Patrick Delaney person?” His name was mentioned several times and indicated as my agent, if I was reading the thing right.
Rowena let out a long tiresome breath. “I almost forgot. Glad you mentioned it.” She rolled her eyes and laughed, waving a dismissive hand. “Patrick Delaney will be your representing agent.”
“Which agent will Sarah be?” I narrowed my eyes and met her cold, grey ones.
She loosened her collar and let down her hair, shaking out her long blond layers. “You know I think very highly of Sarah as a person, she’s been just a wonderful little ray of sunshine around here the past year, but quite frankly she’s not got the experience that your talent deserves.” My blood started to boil as she got up and walked around her desk, putting herself between me and it. “A man with your talent needs special attention, David, and you’re just the type of client that I’d like to nurture personally. Patrick will see to it that things are done my way, with your best interest in consideration.”
I handed her the contract and the pen. “Thanks for your time, but I’m not interested if Sarah’s not involved as my agent.” I started to leave, but she put her foot up on my chair between my legs to stop me.
“Don’t be impulsive, David. In case you haven’t heard, we’re the best in Nashville and you’ll be hard-pressed to get anyone else’s attention, much less a contract like this one.” She tossed it back at me and I let it fall to the floor. “A smart man would pick that up and sign it.” I glared through her so hard I was losing my focus. She leaned down, her lips close to mine. “I know you’re talented David, but trust me, I know what’s best for you and your career. Let me take care of you.”
I sucked in a long, tired breath. “Sarah and I are a package deal. You let her be my agent or I’m out of here.”
“Don’t be foolish, David. You think some young pussy is going to have your back? That she knows a damned thing about what’s best for you and your career just because she’s spread her legs for you? I bet you even think you’re the first.” The words cut through me. I didn’t know what to do or say. I sat there like she’d thrown cold ice water into my face and she could tell it had damaged me.
“I told her to do what it takes to get you here and it appears she did.” She stood from the desk and reached over to pick up the contract and then returned to her desk. She straightened the papers, giving them a hard whack against her desk and then pushed them toward me, slapping the pen atop them as if to say it was my last chance.
“I’m not signing anything. Not today, not until I talk to Sarah.” Even if what this hateful bitch was saying was true, I had to give Sarah a chance to explain, but somehow, I didn’t believe Rowena. She leaned over her desk, deliberately giving me an eyeful of cleavage. I knew she’d say or do anything to get me to sign, even lie. I didn’t waste another minute getting the hell out of there, and as I opened the door to leave, Rowena laughed.
“You’ll be back. And next time, the offer will be much less. That girl is going to cost you. And there’s something else I think you should know about your darling Sarah. She won’t be an agent here much longer.”
I spun around. “What? Why? She’s done everything you asked.”
Rowena shrugged. “I hired her as a favor to her ex and now I’m seeing that she’s not cut out for the job. She takes things too personally. I need someone who is tougher.”
“Someone who doesn’t give a damn if the person your after’s mother is in the hospital?” I shook my head and stormed out, slamming the door behind me. The noise startled the people at their desks and I looked around for Sarah, but didn’t see her anywhere.
I approached the receptionist and asked her where Sarah was.
“She was sent on an errand. She won’t be back until after lunch.” The woman gave me a warm apologetic look and then went back to her computer browsing.
I hurried out of the building and instead of taking another cab I decided to walk back to Sarah’s. It was only a few blocks away, and I needed to blow off steam. I couldn’t believe that after everything, Rowena was going to fire Sarah after all. She was going to string her along and let her think she’d have a chance. Sarah deserved better. I stopped in a store and bought a cell phone. Not having a way to reach Sarah was killing me. The man at the shop set it up and an hour later I was at Sarah’s apartment programming in numbers that I could remember. I tried to call Sarah, but she didn’t answer, so I called home to let my brothers know we’d made it and that the meeting didn’t go so well. After adding in my band members’ numbers and Kinsey’s, I made myself a sandwich and watched TV, hoping Sarah would call me back. Hours passed and she didn’t.
*
When Sarah finally arrived, I was embarrassed she’d caught me watching a talk show with a panel of women all talking about their experience with orgasms. I quickly shut it off and went to greet her. I pulled her into my arms and wasted no time with the lip lock. I’d never missed anyone as badly as I’d missed her. “Today was the longest day of my life.” I held her tight and savored her scent.
“Sorry I wasn’t able to be there, Rowena sent me on a stupid errand, but I think I must have impressed her because it was pretty important business.” She gave me a sympathetic smile and I tried hard to figure out how to tell her what I’d learned.
“I didn’t sign the contract, Sarah.”
“Why?” She pushed away from me searching my eyes.
“It was a shitty deal, and I’m not taking it.” I shrugged. “She tried to stick me with some Patrick Delaney guy.”
Her eyes were wide and she pushed my chest. “You go back there tomorrow and sign it. He’s the best agent in the company!”
“No, I want you to be my agent. We’re a team. A package deal.”
“Baby, that’s sweet, but seriously, you need this deal. Elder Tree is the best company anywhere and Patrick is the best agent they have.” She searched my eyes, tears filling hers.
It couldn’t get any worse, I had to tell her. “If I have to hear what a great company they are one more time I’ll lose my shit. I wouldn’t work for that manipulative, lying bitch if my life depended on it, okay, so let’s just get that straight right now.”
I didn’t realize how loud I was being until she winced and stepped back. “What happened?”
“She’s going to fire you, Sarah. She told me today. She said you lacked experience and weren’t working out. She also tried to convince me that...” I shook my head; I couldn’t mention it. It was stupid and probably another lie. I think a part of me didn’t want to know if it were true or not.
“What?” Sarah’s tears spilled down her cheeks as I drew her close. She pushed away. “What else did she do?”
“She tried to convince me that I’m not the only client you’ve slept with and if that’s true, I don’t even want to know. It’s in the past.”
“Well, thanks for the vote of confidence.” She stormed past me to the kitchen, her tears quenched with anger. I followed behind her as she went to the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge, slamming it shut. “I can’t believe this.”
I raised my hand defensively as she spun around. “I didn’t think it was true.”
“Good, because it’s not true. I’ve never slept with a client or a potential client. I was in a relationship with my last boss, but that was not how I got my last job, it’s how it ended.”
“It’s not my business, Sarah. It’s in the past. I was in relationships before you, too. It is what it is.” I blocked her exit from the kitchen and took her into my arms. “I’m sorry, I just couldn’t sign with that hateful wench. It’s me and you or nothing.” I brushed her hair from her face and kissed her forehead. “We can do this without her. If I’m as good as you think I am surely you can pitch me to someone else.”
She sagged against me. “I have a few names up my sleeve that I can give a try. They aren’t as prestigious as Elder Tree, but we might make it work.”
“I have complete faith in you, Sarah. From here on out, we’re in this together.”
She gave me a crazy smile and ran to the living room. I followed and watched as she took out her phone and after a quick motion, placed it to her ear. “Hello, Rowena. I just wanted to tell you that I quit.” She was so excited when she ended the call that she dropped her phone to the couch and dove into my arms.
I pulled her in close and spun around. “Is it weird that turned me on?”