Expect The Unexpected (H-Town)

New Reality

Shazam

So yeah—we actually got the record deal.

Luke loved the song Dino brought in. We tweaked a few things, added new ideas, and by the end of it, it became something we all helped build. Luke liked that even more.

It had been a week since we'd seen the girls, so we decided to pull up and tell them the good news in person.

I parked in front of Stacey's house, and we all hopped out, heading up the stairs. I rang the bell, and Aunt Kayla opened the door.

"Good afternoon, Aunt Kayla," we greeted.

"Good afternoon, boys," she said warmly. "Come on in—I'll go get Stacey."

We made our way into the living room.

"Wassup, Leah. Wassup, Kaedi," I said.

"What y'all doing here?" Kaedi asked, surprised.

"Came to see y'all," G.I. replied, sitting next to Leah.

"Haven't seen y'all in a week," Leah laughed. "And y'all literally live across the street."

I sat near Leah. Dino sat next to Kaedi. I made sure to sit far away from Stacey—because she been testing my patience lately.

She finally walked into the living room and stopped short.

"What y'all doing here?" she asked.

"Came to tell y'all some good news," Dino said.

"What kind of news?" Stacey asked, sitting down.

"What did y'all get into now?" Leah asked.

"Tell us!" Kaedi said excitedly.

I laughed at her energy.

"Well... thanks to Dino and his crazy ways, we're officially signed to Luke Records."

The room exploded.

Aunt Kayla rushed in. "What's all this excitement?!"

"The boys got signed to a record label!" Stacey shouted.

"Luke Records," G.I. added proudly.

Aunt Kayla smiled and hugged each of us. "Congratulations, boys. I'm proud of y'all."

"So what about school?" Kaedi asked once everyone settled down.

"We'll be handling that on the road," I answered.

"School still comes first," Dino added quickly.

"We just won't be around as much," G.I. said. "But we want y'all at our first show once everything's set."

"It's gonna suck not seeing y'all all the time," Kaedi said quietly.

"Or calling y'all," Stacey added.

"Or throwing random parties," Leah said. "Or seeing y'all at church every Sunday."

"Y'all making this depressing," I said. "We supposed to be celebrating!"

"I am happy for y'all," Kaedi said, standing up. "Just... sad too."

"Where you going?" Dino asked.

"I'll be back," she said before walking out.

The conversation continued, but after a few minutes, she still hadn't returned.

I sighed and excused myself.

Kaedi was on the patio, crying.

I slid the door open, and she jumped, wiping her face.

"I'm fine," she said quickly, forcing a laugh.