Scratched

Forty Eight

FORTY EIGHT

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No sooner had the plane landed in Lechston was I called in by Cassidy. I had expected I would be needing to meet with both Cassidy and Andrew, but I had hoped maybe I would have time to brace myself. That didn't appear to be the case though. When I got off the phone Reed offered to take my bags back to my hotel room. I passed my bags to him, bidding him farewell. We went our separate ways him to a luxury hotel, and me to Savage headquarters.

After a silent drive to Savage I walked through the doors, passing up the receptionist in the lobby. I knew exactly where I was going. I pressed the button for the elevator and then slipped through the doors a few moments later. It dinged as it reached Cassidy's floor. I stopped in front of the receptionist, tapping my fingers against the counter. She didn't look up or even stop typing. "Piper Evans, I presume," she said in monotone. It was just creepy. "She is expecting you."

I nodded, crossing the space to the doors. I pushed them open, slipping inside. I shut the door after me. Cassidy was sitting at her desk, staring at her computer screen. "Oh! Piper, take a seat," she said a little distractedly. I did as she asked, plopping down into a seat. After a few minutes she looked up from her computer screen. "I'm glad you made it today. We have a lot to talk about." I didn't like the way that sounded. "I know you intend to come back to the company, and while I'm all for that ultimately it is not my decision. Andrew will be the one to decide that. However, I would like to discuss a few things with you. Particularly what happened the night of the concert."

I winced. Of course. That was what everyone wanted to talk about, and it also happened to be my number one thing I didn't want to talk about. I knew that I didn't have much of a choice in the matter though. "I don't know what I could say," I started. I laced my fingers together in my lap, finding it hard to meet Cassidy's eyes. "I got caught up in everything—everything I said I never would. I know what you really must be worried about is if I'll make the same mistakes. I know that you only have my word to go by and that may not be enough, but I won't repeat the same mistakes." It seemed so inadequet in the face of everything that had happened—me promising that I would be better. It sounded hollow.

I waited, needing to hear what Cassidy had to say. After what felt like hours she finally started to speak. "In this industry this happens to virtually every musician. I can't pretend that I'm surprised or disappointed because you've only fallen into a cycle that started before you. Its what defines the industry—sex, drugs, and parties," she said. "I'm defending it, but I understand it. I can't hold something against you that countless people have done before you. All I can say is that I hope you won't do it again. You are a hell of a musician, and I want to see you go far." We fell back into silence, not sure where we went from there. I figured that we had said what needed to be said.

As much as I wanted it to be done I knew that it wasn't. I still had to see Andrew. He was the one who would decide everything. Cassidy really only served to make myself feel better. She didn't have nearly the power Andrew did. I stood up, saying my goodbyes to Cassidy before leaving the room. I made my way up to his floor, speaking with his receptionist. I felt that all I ever did was speak with receptionists. After a couple minutes I was admitted to his office.

He was waiting for me when I entered, sitting expressionless behind his desk. It was all much more intimidating. I took a seat, trying to fidget less. Not much luck there. He weaved his fingers together on this desk, signaling for me to speak. I hadn't expected to get the first word, and now I was nervous. More than I already was. I knew there was only one thing I could say. I just hoped it was enough for him. I took a deep breath. "Am I still a good product?"