The Neverending Hangover

Chapter Thirty-Two

In the morning Andy called and said we were good to go with the contract. I got ahold of Mike, who told me to sign it and he would drop it off to Ashley's manager for me.

By early evening, we had met with four managers and all five of us were in agreement with who we wanted to work with, a Mr. Rafael Garcia, whom he told us to call Rafe. He was originally from Puerto Rico, had relocated to L.A., and was now settled in Nashville. He was in his forties, dashing and smooth, but also down to earth and friendly. Plus, he had an impeccable track record, had handled some very impressive clients, was currently representing some big hitters, and was so sought after that literally the only reason he had even met with us was because Mike had helped him early in his career.

We performed one country song for him and Rafe had already watched the videos online. He told us directly that he liked us, but if we wanted to work with him, we better be sure because he was going to bust our butts to get us started.

Specifically he had said, "I can get you to the top. Fast. But it is going to be a lot of work. If you are not very much completely committed, this will not happen. You live here now. And, if I am being completely direct, all I need is her. Each of the rest of you are replaceable. It is not insulting. It is truth. Also, band name is no good. I recommend use her name. Make decisions, yes?"

I had felt really badly about that but none of the guys were phased.

"We all know that, Paige", Tommy grinned. "We've always known that. The fact that you even thought to bring us here, and that we even got this chance...girl, we're thankful".

Therefore, I was the one to make the call back to Rafe.  I walked away from our outdoor patio table out to the curb of the parking lot. He answered right away.

"Hi, Rafe. It's Paige Miller".

"Ah, yes, beautiful country girl. What do you say?"

"We all say yes", I said, excitedly.

"Excellent. Very good. I make you all contracts. What is email address for you?  You can give to boys?"

"Yes, I can". I told him my email address and each of our first and last names.

"You decide on band name?"

"Yeah...", I said reluctantly. It didn't feel right to steal all the credit, but Mike had agreed with Rafe that using my name was probably the most marketable option for us.

"It is?"

"Paige Anne Miller".

"Ah. Paige Anne. Very country, though Miller not as much. Can we change?"

"Change my last name?"

"For marketing purpose only. Walker perhaps?"

I felt like he had punched me in the stomach. Walker was Rev's last name. What were the chances?

"No", I said, feeling like I was suffocating.

"You can choose anything. We're not changing your name official. Unless you want".

Only one name popped into my head.

Dare I?

"What do you think about Davis?"

"Paige Anne Davis. Much better. I like. You?"

"Yeah, Rafe. I like the sound of that, too".

"Okay, we start soon. You practice now".

I walked back to the table in a daze. Would Brad be okay with this?  Would he take the implications further than they actually were?  I wasn't sure how he would react.