Thanks. Wish you were here to celebrate with me. I’d take you over a number one album any day.
It’s true too. None of it matters to me anymore. I’d trade it all for something real with Oliver and Viv. Still, it’s nice to go out with a bang. White Flame is over the moon happy with the performance of Last Resort. Two days to platinum, and debuting at number one. All three singles are now in the top ten as well, with “Fool for You” hitting number one on two separate charts. The video has been streamed over seven million times in two weeks. The tour is sold out. They’ve added six dates and are already talking about adding more. That news would have broken me a few months ago. This time I smiled when Sam asked if I thought I had a few more stops in me.
“The Girl in the Mirror” has exploded as well. The world may not know Viv Hastings, but they know Mason West, Xander Silva, and Joel Harrison, and it doesn’t take long for those connections to send it viral. I’m enjoying the speculation, the mystery. Reading the reviews and chatter is so different now that I know it has nothing to do with me and everything to do with the art I created. Sure, the negative stuff still hurts, but the positive gleams so much brighter. Besides, for the first time in my life I don’t even care what they’re saying. I know it’s amazing and that’s enough.
Oliver: Lucky for you, you get us both. Okay, about to go in for my first test. Wish me luck.
My stomach twists with nerves for him. He’s been waiting weeks for this moment, doing everything he could for the chance to get back on the ice. In a few hours he’ll know if it was worth it. He hardly slept last night in anticipation of his evaluation today. I was awake for other reasons.
I’m about to put my phone away when it buzzes with another text. I glance down and grunt at the message from my mother, another plea to meet for coffee before I leave L.A. I already told her I’ll reach out when I’m ready to attempt a reconciliation, but for now, I don’t need that distraction in my life. I glare at my screen when my phone buzzes yet again—but instead of my mom’s name, it’s Joel.
Not gonna believe this but Samantha Turner is looking for you. Just got a message.
Confused, I open the chat and write him back. Sam? She has my number. Why is she contacting you?
Joel: Not YOU you. Viv. She wants to talk to Viv Hastings.
Me: What??
Joel: Right?? What do you want me to tell her?
Crap, I have no idea. What could she possibly want with Viv? My heart races as I respond. Give her the email address we set up for the social media accounts. Did she say what she wants?
Joel: Nope. Just wanted to know if I knew how to reach Viv Hastings.
I’m completely distracted the rest of the day. Worried about Oliver and if he’ll get cleared to skate. Anxious and excited for the first show of our tour—with Oliver in attendance no less. And now this. Sam doesn’t work with new artists, especially not directly. I could understand interest from one of her junior managers, but a direct inquiry? Viv is no one and has expressed no interest in representation. Sam has to swat away potential clients like flies. She’d never seek them out. She doesn’t have to.
It’s after lunch when a message finally shows up in Viv’s inbox from Turner Artist Management. There’s an attachment as well, and I rush to my dressing room to open it.
Hello Viv,
My name is Samantha Turner and I represent the Turner Artist Management Agency. We are a premier management company for top level talent, including bands like Dream Filter, The Hallowed, and Burn Card. You came to our attention through your collaboration with Mason West, who is a client of mine (as mentioned). I currently have another client in search of a lead singer, and we all agree your sound and vocal style would be a great fit for what they’re trying to build. While I certainly appreciate the merits of a solo career, if you have any interest in fronting a new alternative rock band, please sign the attached NDA, and I will provide more specifics on the opportunity.
Thank you for your consideration. We love your single and wish you lots of success.
Sincerely,
Samantha Turner
Turner Artist Management
I’m shaking when I finish reading, staring at the message. I re-read it. Then again. And again. It can’t be true. Is this a joke? But that’s definitely Sam’s e-mail address. My main inbox is full of messages from her. It’s just… Viv Hastings is good enough to grab her attention as well? Tears spring to my eyes as I pick up my phone to call Oliver, then stop when I remember he’d be in important meetings of his own right now. I text him instead.
Oh my gosh!!! You’re never going to believe what just happened! Ahhh!!!!
I turn back to the message and almost laugh at her polite request. Do I want more information? Do I want to know about the band that thinks I’m good enough to jump through hoops to find? Of all the artists out there, they want me. A nobody that didn’t exist until a couple of weeks ago. Am I interested? Two words.
Hell.
Yes.
After adding my digital signature to the Non-Disclosure Agreement, I attach it to my reply and write her back immediately.
Dear Samantha,
Thank you for your message. It means more than I can express to have you and your client believe in me enough to ask. I’d love to know more about the opportunity. My only question is, does this NDA go both ways? If so, here’s my number.
Best,
Viv
I enter my real phone number under my name, laughing as I send it off to my
