“I can’t believe, after all these years, you’re looking to retire your playa card. You’re tripping over this girl. It’s Friday night and you should be in the club. Instead you’re here, doing what?” Brandon pointed to the Bible on the coffee table. “Reading the Bible and mooning over Geneva. That’s pitiful.”
Brandon propped a leg on the coffee table in Joshua’s hotel suite. He had flown in to Ohio to meet with Joshua about his contract. Before the men talked business, Brandon had asked how things were going with Geneva.
Joshua ignored the comment about the Bible. He had made that decision when Brandon expressed a lack of belief in God and His book. Instead, he said, “She’s the one. I feel it in my bones. I don’t have to look any further.”
Brandon’s eyes narrowed. “What are you saying?”
“I’m saying if I’m going on vacation with Geneva to a tropical island, I’m going to make her my wife. Because I’ll want to do some bad things to that good, Christian girl.”
“Wife?” Brandon yelled. “You got it bad. The trip is in four days. You can’t get your pre-nup together that fast.”
Joshua yawned. “I don’t intend to sign one.”
Brandon’s mouth dropped. “You lost your mind? You can’t marry anyone in this day and time without a prenuptial agreement. If your marriage doesn’t work out, she could take you for millions. Millions.” He shook his head. “This conversation is unreal right now. I can’t believe you’re talking marriage. You don’t know her well enough to jump into something that isn’t easy to get out of.”
“I might not know her long in days, but in my heart, it feels like forever.”
Brandon snorted. “I can’t believe you’re spouting that sappy crap with such conviction.” He cocked his head. “You really believe that nonsense, don’t you?”
Joshua nodded.
“Then you’re a bigger punk than I realized.” Brandon laughed. “The bad boy of showbiz has gotten all weak over a woman.”
Joshua snatched him up, put a hand around his neck, and squeezed. Brandon’s face turned purple. He gargled trying to catch some air.
“How much of a punk am I now?” Joshua asked. Brandon sputtered. Joshua threw him to the couch. “I’m no punk. I’m man enough to want the love of a good woman.”
Brandon held his neck and drew deep breaths. “I’m just messing with you. You didn’t have to go all hardcore on me.”
Joshua glared. “You didn’t have to open your mouth, but you did.”
The men squared off. After a few tense seconds, Brandon held up a hand. “I don’t want to see you make a mistake.”
“If I don’t make her mine, I’ll be making a mistake.”
Brandon’s eyes went wide. Joshua could see when his words sank in because Brandon waved a hand as if to surrender. “I’ll back out of your business. I’m in your corner, no matter what.” He held out a fist.
They fist pumped and the air cleared. Joshua took a seat across from him. Brandon opened the manila folder and took out the contract.
“It’s the same as last time,” he said, reaching for a pen from his shirt pocket. “I only changed the dates and added that instead of two tours over the next six years, you’ll do three.”
“I’m not signing that,” Joshua said.
Brandon’s eyebrows rose. “What did you want to negotiate?”
Joshua steeled himself. “I don’t have anything to negotiate. I want out of the business.”
“Music is in your blood. You can’t quit it even if you want to.”
“I’m not quitting music. I’m leaving Platinum.”
“You’d rather leave me who built you from the bottom to the top for some other fool?” Brandon fumed. “Who is it that’s recruiting you? Because I’ll match whatever they’re offering.”
“I plan to write different kinds of songs.” Joshua cleared his throat. “I plan to write gospel.”
“Gospel?” Brandon yelled. “You can’t move from what you do to gospel. Mace tried it and it ended his career. That’s why he tried to come back. Switching it up on people like that will be JJ-LUV’s swan song.”
“First, when I leave, I’m not coming back. Second, JJ-LUV might die,” Joshua said, counting each point out on his fingers. “But Joshua James will be very much alive.”
Brandon shook his head. “I can’t believe those words are coming out of your mouth.”
“Believe it. Ever since Zoya’s death, I’ve been thinking to call it quits. Now that I’ve met Geneva, I’m even more motivated.”
Joshua remembered the disgust on Geneva’s face at the video shoot. She had been appalled. When she had left, Joshua had done his job, but he began to view the environment through her eyes. He saw the depravity and detested it. That feeling made him go home and take a long shower. But no matter how much he washed, he couldn’t remove the stain of his surroundings. Joshua knew only God could cleanse him of the filth in which he had once reveled.
“What about the song for Club Five?” Brandon asked.
Joshua marched into this bedroom and returned with the lyrics. He plopped them on the couch. “Done.”
Brandon picked up the papers and studied them before giving a nod. “These are good.”
Joshua’s jaw clenched. “You act like you doubted they would be.”
Brandon looked him in the eyes. “Yes, I did have doubts. You’re not acting like you anymore, so I wasn’t sure you could deliver.” He read the lyrics again. “The girls are going to love this.”
“I’m glad it met your expectations.” Joshua clasped his hands on his lap. “Would you consider releasing me from my contract early?”
“No way. I’m holding you until the last hour.”
“But I’ve fulfilled all the stipulations of the contract.”
“I’m adding two special performances. One for Christmas Eve and another for New Year’s Eve.”
Joshua shook his head. “I can’t and you know it. I’m going with Geneva to Jamaica.”
Brandon held out the pen. “Sign the contract and I’ll change the venue dates. Otherwise, JJ-LUV will be booked solid. I can think of at least two other parties you can attend.”
Joshua’s eyes narrowed. “We’re friends. How can you do this to me?”
“This isn’t about friendship. It’s business and you’re my biggest commodity. From now until New Year’s day when your contract’s up, I own you.”
“Please reconsider.” Joshua got up and went over to where Brandon was seated. “I can’t disappoint Geneva. Her fiancé jilted her. I can’t bail on her. The entire country knows we’re going to Jamaica together. If I don’t go, it will humiliate her.”
Brandon snorted. “I’m sure when she’s swiping your Amex card, she’ll get over any humiliation.”
“You don’t know her, so don’t say that.”
Brandon stood and jammed a finger in Joshua’s chest. “I’ve got news for you. You don’t know her either. What’s it been? Days?”
Joshua’s left eye jumped. Brandon was goading him on purpose, but knowing didn’t keep his temper in check. “Back off,” he said through gritted teeth. “As a matter of fact, I think it’s time you get to stepping.”
Brandon’s eyes held hurt. “You choosing this woman over me?”
“I’m not choosing her. I’m choosing God.”
“Go ahead. Choose some mythical being no one can prove exists.” Brandon shoved the papers in the manila folder. “I never thought I’d see the day you kick me out in the cold. This is how you treat the man who saved you when you lay in your puke, the man who fed you and put clothes on your back when you had nothing.”
“I’m grateful. But that was a long time ago. You won’t admit it, but deep down you know I’m not that man anymore.”
Brandon’s eyes narrowed to slits. “You think you better than me now?” He fumed.
Joshua shook his head. “I’m still me. But God is making me better.”
“Ha! Let’s see if your God can help you out of this contract. Pack your bags. You leave for Las Vegas tomorrow. And be prepared, you’ll be booked until midnight on New Year’s Eve.” He went through the door and banged it closed.
Joshua gazed at the door. His chest tightened. He had just lost his best friend. Geneva was right. To love God was to hate the world. To choose God was to reject the world, even when it came in the form of a man you had called friend for twenty years.
Joshua strolled into the kitchenette where he had left his cell phone. Geneva had texted.
I have planned activities for us to do on the trip. Would you like to see the itinerary?
Joshua’s eyes misted. He couldn’t talk to her and hear the disappointment in her voice. He quickly typed a response and hit send. I need to talk to you. I won’t be able to go. I’ll explain in person.
Joshua’s stomach clenched, picturing her reading it.
Then he slapped his forehead. Oh no! He had just done the same thing Josh did to Geneva.
She would never forgive him.