A Blue Tale by Sarah Dosher Read Free Book Online

outlines what resources Savage Man will put into Unforgiven initially, and what compensation is required down the road.  It’s a standard management and PR contract, but feel free to take it with you and have your lawyers look it over.  No rush, just keep me updated on any questions or concerns you might have.” I looked toward Duke because he seemed to be the business man of the group.  “Seriously, feel free to call me anytime.”
    That got their attention—every head whipped around to me.  They each had a look of wonderment on their faces, and their eyes were about to bug out of their head.  Johnny jumped from his chair and wrapped his big, burly arms around me.
    “Are you serious?” Duke asked softly.
    “Yes.” I grunted as Johnny’s arms grew tighter around me.  “Umm, can’t breathe.”
    “Johnny put her down, man.” Duke said with a laugh.
    Johnny immediately let go of me.  His eyes were filled with gratitude, and it made my heart smile to see how happy this made them. It also made me wonder what rejections they’d been through in the past. 
    “Hi, Johnny,” I said to him as he stared down at me.
    “Hi, Eli,” he whispered back.
    I peeked around Johnny, “Hey, Blaine,” I said with a huge smile.
    “Hiya, Eli Blue,” he replied, returning my smile with an enormous grin of his own.
    “Why?” Duke asked, sincerely.  “Why would you offer this to us so easily?”
      “I know talent when I see it, Duke, and you boys have talent.  That’s all I’m concerned about right now; the rest of the pieces will fall into place. But I have done my homework, too. I know you’ve put in the work to make it this far, so it was just a matter of time before you were scooped up.    I’ll be working with you guys, personally, as I build my client base.  You’re only the second band I’ve personally signed; the first being Willow’s.  I’d like to play off the similar styles in your music, but also the difference in genders—put you out there together and see what size crowd we can draw in.”
    “You want us to go on tour together?” Duke asked.
    “That’s exactly what I want.” I told him.  “I’ve already got the booking department working on a tentative schedule of locations within driving distance.  Once we get the contract back from you guys, we can get the dates set in stone.  If those shows go well, we will expand our focus to other areas.”
    Duke reached in his pocket and pulled out a pen.  He flipped to the last page of the lengthy contract and scribbled on the paper.
    “I’m definitely in, no need to wait ‘cause nothing will change my mind.” He said, and as he looked back up at me, I saw sheer determination in his eyes, and I liked it.
    “Me, too, I’m ready to sign.” Johnny said.
    Duke slid the contract and pen to Johnny and he quickly signed his name.
    “Blaine?” Duke asked.
    “Yup,” was all he said as he, too, signed his name to the contract.
    “Are you sure?  Because you can take it with you and come back later, if you want to review it with legal.  You haven’t even read the thing yourself.” I pointed out.
    “Don’t need to.” Duke said with conviction. “I can’t think of a company we’d trust more than Savage Man to rep us, and right now my gut tells me to follow that trust wherever you’re willing to lead us.”
     “I hope I can do that trust justice.” I admitted. 
    Willow and Mrs. Kline brought enough snacks to the conference room to feed an army, and we spent the next couple of hours hashing out a viable plan for our new venture.  We decided the bands would alternate the opening slots for the time being, and I had final say on when, or if, that changed. I knew the only way it would change was if one band gained massive popularity more quickly than the other. 
    I also didn’t know how things were going to play out with Deacon.  Even though he wasn’t here, I could feel him hovering over us like a black cloud. What would he say