Dial Drunk - Post Malone

32

"Heartbroken?!" Jack exclaims then ducks his head when Austin, Grassy and Dre turn their heads slowly to look at him. Austin sits back in his chair, glaring at Jack as he folds his arms. He is in defence mode now seeing as how everyone including Jack has an opinion on his life. "Yes, Jack. Heartbroken," Austin says. "Think about what you are saying, Austin. She is an apple picker. The woman has jumped from one bed to the next since the start of the tour. She did not have time to get her heart broken," Dre says. Austin's brows shoot up and he looks accusingly at Jack and Grassy who's hands both shoot up in defence. "She has deep red apples. I prefer mine a little greener and sweeter," Grassy says. "I don't eat apples," Jack says. They all frown at him. "I prefer a different fruit," he adds. They all continue to stare at him. He sighs. "I prefer bananas..." he tries again, but still they continue to look at him with cocked heads. "I am gay, you idiots!" he groans.

"Ooooh! I get it now. Banana!" Dre says and starts laughing while Grassy looks at Jack with a sad face. "Oh, I am so sorry, Jack. I heard men are real dicks to date," he says. "They are dicks. Dating men is always a shit show, I should go straight just for my own sanity," he says while Grassy pats his back in sympathy. "OK, so..." Dre says fixing his face and going serious again as he looks at Austin. "What's the plan with her? You need her to sign an NDA before you send her packing?" Dre asks. "No. I told you. We are both healing and need each other. She stays," Austin says. "Stays as in for how long? You will send her on her way before we get back to LA...right?" Grassy asks. "No. She is staying," Austin says. "What do you mean? Staying," Jack asks. "Exactly what staying means. Staying," Austin says.

"She needs to sign an NDA," Dre says but Austin shakes his head. "Please...you have always trusted me. Let me draw up an NDA," Dre begs. "No. I trust her," Austin snaps. "You trusted Levi..." Grassy says. Austin clenches his fists and glares at him. "Fine. Make her sign an NDA," Austin grunts. "Can I go now? I want to get the fuck out of here," Austin says. The tour has ended and they are still in New York. The label had demanded a meeting after Austin informed Dre he was not planning on going back to LA just yet. He has a month off before he has to fulfil any contract duties. The label were not prepared to wait until he got back from wherever he decided to go.

So they had spent all morning in a stuffy board room negotiating. Austin's stance was clear - he would not work with Satan. The label was pushing back hard, but true to Dre's word he had stood up for Austin and thrashed back at them. Eventually, they relented and agreed that Satan was out of the picture. Austin has apparently become big enough to hold a lot of value to the label, he is making them millions if this tour is anything to go by so they all have dollar signs in their eyes when they talk about the next three albums and tours that will inevitably follow. The label had made it clear they intend on milking Austin for every ounce of talent he has but honestly Austin could not care less. He can't even remember why he got into this industry in the first place - at least his bank account is bursting at the seams. Now after all the in-house fighting, he is drained and just wants to get out of this dam boardroom. He intends on disappearing for the month.

"Yes," Dre snips gathering his papers. "Will you arrange a new songwriter for me?" Austin asks as he stands too. "A new songwriter? Why?" Dre asks placing his papers down again. "Is that supposed to be a joke?" Austin asks. "You don't want to write with Levi?" Dre asks. "If I had a choice in the matter, I would. But, I don't. She won't work with me," Austin says. Dre sighs heavily and picks his papers up again then looks at Austin, his face angry. "Levi has made it clear that she intends to complete her contract with you. She will write on all three albums. I have no fucking idea why because you are an asshole," Drey snips and then walks out. Austin stands frozen from Dre's words. "Levi intends on working with me still? Why?" Austin asks, looking at Grassy.

"Choices...life is all about the choices we make," Grassy says patting him on the shoulder then walking out. Austin shakes his head and runs after him. "Hey! Hey! You not coming with me?" he calls after Grassy. "No. I am going home," Grassy calls over his shoulder. "Why?!" Austin calls after him. "Choices dear boy! Life is all about the choices we make!" he calls out before he disappears around a corner. He is all alone. For the first time in years, Austin is all alone. Dre left, Grassy is gone and Levi is just a memory at this point. He feels so small as the world gets suddenly bigger. "You ready to go?" Cassidy's voice comes from behind him and he spins around. Well, at least he has her.  Everyone has abandoned him except her. "Yeah," he says taking her hand.