I Just Wanted to be Edgy Too

Chapter Fifty-Four

Van
Six days later

The album ended and our manager looked at the other people in the room momentarily before rising to his feet and walking to the window. This was what I hated most about the music industry. It wasn't like it used to be. It wasn't what I signed up for. I didn't need to be graded on my art, but here I was.

I used to be able to climb on stage every night, play a set, and be matched with cheers and crowd interaction. There were no nerves. No anxieties back then. Nothing to worry about. But now, now it was all politics. Now, we had to impress the labels if we wanted to release something, unless we went independent. And trust me, the feeling had crossed my mind a million times.

Our manager, Marcus spoke first. "It's different."

"Good different." Bill, the guy I never thought much of added. The two of them nodded as they flipped through the lyrics and the track list.

"The Edge?"

"It has to be called that. Non negotiable." Blakes' words surprised me. He was normally one of the last to speak up. I offered him a grateful smile and he winked at me:

"No, it'll do." Marcus wiped his chin, his thick banded, gold ring catching the rays coming in through the window. Van circa 2012 wouldn't have even shaken his hand. Now, he owned me. It's terrifying how those things happen. You don't even know yourself sometimes.

But I was cornered. I had one more piece of a contract the four of us signed to fulfill. One more year, and then we had the option to leave. We already knew we were going to go out on our own. We all decided that one night after The Ride was released. We knew what we could do. We knew who we could be on our own. It was just a waiting game. And no one else knew it. Not Steve. Not my parents. Not Ellie. Just us. It was the plan, our plan.

"It comes out in April and you tour through Fall."

I shook my head fiercely and leaned forward on my elbows. "We did an April release. It comes out in July. We tour starting in June, tease a track before the release, and blow up Europe and America through October."

Marcus smirked and Bill clapped.

"That's four solid months of international touring. Two months in America, two months in Europe."

"What about Japan, South America, or Australia?"

They knew how I felt about Australia. I'd live there one day. I'd be there now if it wasn't for this stupid meeting.

"One more month after Europe, you do a few dates in Japan, China and move on down to Australia. South America can wait. You finish up by December 1st."

Our contract expired on December 31st, 2020. They were going to bleed us dry while they could.

I looked at Bondy, while Benji bit his lip on a shrug.

"It's either that, or you release in April."

"We're not doing April." Bob said lowly. "It's too soon. Give us some time."

"I don't pay you for your time." Marcus smiled, his perfect teeth reminding me that I didn't ever want to be like him, or like this.

"December 1st?" My voice sounded pleading.

Marcus nodded once before pointing at me. "You'll start in America at the end of May...you've got some dates to make up from your last go around." I felt my cheeks redden. Everyone in this room knew the story by now, and I figured they'd hold it against me at some point.

I looked at my brothers, all silently looking at me. "Give us a minute, will yous?" I watched Bob tense at my accent and sit up a little straighter.