The cool tile floor under his feet covered in thick socks couldn’t calm him down.
“Haa!” Hyde screamed as he pulled the door to look behind it.
He held the steak knife up to a pair of young girls who clutched each other and screamed. They reminded him of young deer when separated from their mothers. Collectively, their ages together probably equaled Hyde’s age.
“What the hell?” He lowered the knife and ran his fingers back through his hair. “What are you doing—”
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry.” Tears streamed down one girl’s face.
“I told you we shouldn’t have done this.” The other girl peered down. “He was going to kill us.”
Hyde dropped his gaze to his hand. “No. I didn’t know who was in here.” He stopped when he heard banging on his door.
“Hyde! What’s going on in there? Are you okay?” Clever’s voice sounded both concerned and desperate.
Knowing his father, his concern laid more in losing a client than a son.
“Come on. You two need to get out of here.” Hyde stood aside so that the two girls could walk out of the room.
They still clung to each other as they headed to the door.
“I don’t know how you got into my room, but you shouldn’t have done this.” He followed them to the door.
“We just wanted to see you.” The girl with dark curly hair spoke first before she sniffed.
“We love you so much.” The blonde with big brown eyes kept trying to peer back at him as she continued to the door. “The guy downstairs said that if we were nice to him, he would get us into your room.”
Hyde swiftly moved around to the front of the girls, which caused them to gasp. “Nice to him, how?”
The blonde glanced at the brunette and burst into tears before she could say anything.
Hyde shook his head before opening the door to allow in his frantic manager.
Clever stared at the girls before bringing his attention to Hyde. “What the hell? If you wanted some women, I could have—”
“Hiding in my bathroom.” Hyde rubbed his eyes. “Call the police.”
The girls squealed again and clutched each other tighter.
Hyde held up his hand. “Not for you two. I get that you’re fans, and I appreciate that.” He stared at his father. “What I don’t appreciate is people who use a little bit of their power to take advantage of them.” He raised his eyebrows in hopes that he wouldn’t have to say more than that. When Clever still looked confused, Hyde decided to elaborate. “Girls, I’ll sign some posters and stuff for you.” He peered back into his room. “I might have some CDs and T-shirts I can give you. I need you two to wait out in the hallway for Mr. Love, okay? And we’ll arrange to get you both a ride home.”
The blonde nodded and smiled. “Thank you.”
When the two of them walked out of the room, Clever wasted no time in talking first. “This is why I insist you have a security detail with you at all times.”
Hyde held up his hand. “Not the issue right now. Some asshole took advantage of them. I don’t know if he works for the hotel or if he’s a part of our staff. I need you to get the police here to get a statement from the two of them and have someone arrested. What happened to them was not cool.”
Hyde’s serious tone must have registered with Clever. His normally slick-talking father simply nodded.
He put his hand on Hyde’s shoulder. “Are you really okay? I can have you put into another room or we can go to a different hotel.”
Hyde brushed his dad’s hand off him. “I’m fine. I checked out the rest of the room. I just missed the bathroom. My fault. Just make sure those girls are okay. Give me every bit of merchandise you have on you. They need to have something good come out of this.”
“Sure, kid.” Clever nodded as he walked out of the room.
Hyde walked back to the dining room area and threw the knife on the table. After a situation like this, he now knew that he needed to take a break, remove himself from the spotlight. Forget the duets project.
Chapter 3
Once Tassia got back to her home in Virginia Beach, she visited Charisma Music to pick up some of her stuff and for a meeting. Her shoulders relaxed when she walked in the doors. This building felt like home.
In the open lobby area hung artwork done by musicians. No pictures of current Charisma artists to show any favoritism. The cozy furniture and plethora of plants gave the place a homey feel.
Never did Tassia regret signing her development deal with Charisma six years ago. She certainly had a lot of great opportunities since then. If she didn’t have this meeting, she would take advantage of the end of the summer season and enjoy the local beach before going to a more exotic one out of the country. Greece would be nice.
Tassia peeked her head into Chantel’s office. Finding it empty except for two high chairs and toys littering the floor, she went to a nearby conference room where she found Chantel’s assistant cleaning up what looked like cereal from the long conference table.
“The twins took over.” The mature man scraped the strewn pieces into a trashcan. “Looking for Mrs. Woodley?”
Tassia smiled at Earvin. “Meeting. I thought she would be in her office.”
He pointed down. “In the studio. Meet her and the mister there.”
She raised her eyebrows. “Truman is here, too?”
Tassia shouldn’t have been worried. She had done great work for the company. She also knew how volatile and fickle the business could be. One day she could be up like when she had done a TV show at ten years of age. The next day she could be out the door, pulled from the place by her father. She hoped the latter didn’t apply to her, particularly since her daddy wouldn’t be there to save her.
Tassia got to the studio and heard some tunes coming from the space. It helped that the door had been left open. Had it been closed, she wouldn’t have heard anything.
Tassia stepped inside and saw a familiar face behind the boards.
“Hey, superstar.” Super producer Laz Kyson nodded to her as he turned off the music. “I thought you were still on tour with Aaron.” He stood and hugged her.
“Ended yesterday.” She sat down next to him.
The tall blond-haired, blue-eyed hottie didn’t look like he would fit in at a record label run by the R&B Princess of Love Ballads. Then again, Chantel’s country-singing husband flipped the perception of the recording studio.
The music that came out of the place could best be defined as eclectic. Pop, rock, R&B, country, indie and rap thanks to acts like Aaron. That kind of variety attracted Tassia to the label.
“You just got off tour and you’re already working?” He nodded at her.
“Not by choice.” She crossed her legs. “I would much rather be lounging on a beach somewhere.”
“I hear you.” Laz nodded to the side. “You could go out the back door and dip your toes in the Atlantic Ocean.” He smiled.
“Sorry. I need a more exotic location, away from hearing about current events and everything depressing going on right now. I only want to hear the ocean, the wind, and some seagulls and not someone screaming for me to sing that one line.” Tassia shook her head.
She didn’t know what bothered her more, having people who actually recognized her from her days on the Ratty Rat’s Fun Crew TV show or people who wanted her to sing that one line.
“Speaking of hearing, what were you playing before? Sounded good.” She looked in the studio area and didn’t see anyone in there recording.
“You like that?” He hit a button on the panel and played a song from beginning to end. “It’s called ‘Shame’ by singer/songwriter Avery.”
“Sounds incredible.” Tassia nodded.
“It better. If I didn’t make my wife sound good, she would never forgive me.” Laz chuckled.
Tassia felt hopeful to see so many successful couples in the business. She didn’t see that happening to her anytime soon, especially if her last relationship meant anything.
As she thought about the song, the artist, and her producer, Tassia started to put some things together. “Is this a single for Avery?”
Laz nodded. “One from her upcoming album.”
Tassia’s gut twisted. “Wow. When did she sign with Charisma?”
“Only a couple of years ago.” A wide smile split his head in two. “Avery was offered a development and recording contract the day she graduated from college. I was so proud of her.”
“I’m sure you were.” The smile she produced probably looked manufactured to Laz, but she didn’t want to show her true disappointment in hearing about this new artist, his wife.
She had learned this childhood trick of appearing happy when things upset her. At some point, she would have to stop smiling when things pissed her off.
Not only did Avery get a recording deal, she managed to find the love of her life within the industry. Tassia should have had her life. She’d been with Charisma long enough to have recorded five albums by now. She wouldn’t show her jealousy in front of Laz.
No. Not jealousy. More like anger. Why hadn’t Chantel and Truman given her the same push? Maybe Tassia had to reconsider her management team, her affiliation with Charisma, or both.
“By the way, the bosses are in the conference room down the hall.” Laz nodded his head forward.
She stood. “Do you know what it’s about?”
Laz shrugged. “Not sure. But I’m sure you’ll be fine.”
“We’ll see.” Tassia hung her purse on her shoulder as she walked down the hallway.
She arrived at the conference room and found Chantel and Truman Woodley sitting at the conference room table. Chantel had her feet up on her husband’s lap while he rubbed her soles. The romantic gesture brought a smile to Tassia’s face.
“Hi.” Tassia stepped into the room. “Is this a bad time?”
Chantel removed her feet from her husband’s lap. “Of course not.” She padded over to Tassia. “So great to see you again.” She gave her a hug.
“Yep. Welcome back.” Truman stood and hugged Tassia also. “Please have a seat.”
Like a gentleman, he pulled out Tassia’s chair and did the same for his wife. Looked like Chantel found the last of the good ones. Dorian couldn’t even be bothered to take Tassia’s luggage to the tour bus during their last interaction—not that she needed a man or anyone to do anything for her.
“I know what it’s like to just get off tour. I’m sure all you want to do is rest and relax.” Chantel smiled as she spoke to Tassia.
Chantel and Truman sat at one end of the table. To not make the meeting seem so official, Tassia sat on one side of the table instead of the end and positioned herself as close to the duo as she could. She wanted them to see the intent in her eyes when she spoke to them about the next steps in her career.
“You’re right about that. I feel like I’ve been running for years since I was ten.” Tassia noticed the slightly concerned looks covering her bosses’ faces. “But you know me. I never turn down work. Bring it on.”
“That’s good to hear.” Truman nodded.
“But I am concerned about something. Since I have you two here, there’s no better time than the present to discuss it.” Tassia sat up taller.
“Sure. What’s on your mind?” Chantel leaned forward.
“When I signed my development deal, I knew that I wouldn’t be banging out albums right away. I’ve been in the industry. I knew it would take time and I would have to work hard.” Tassia had to frame this right. She had to show her appreciation.
“And you have worked very hard. Don’t think we haven’t noticed.” Chantel put her hand on top of Tassia’s. “I still remember your character on Ratty Rat’s Fun Crew show.”
It still blew Tassia’s mind that this multi-platinum artist could be this kind and personable with people who worked for her. Chantel didn’t have to talk directly to Tassia. She had people who could have spoken to her, just like Chantel had her management team that included her agent and publicist. Tassia completely believed Chantel had seen her old TV show. She hoped that Chantel didn’t see her as that child, or worse, as a quitter.
“Thank you.” Tassia patted Chantel’s hand. “I hope with all the work I’ve done that I would have finally earned my spot. I’ve written hits for you, Truman, Chantel, for the two of you as a duo, and more. And I’ve sang back-up for a lot of artists.”
“And let’s not forget that incredible hit song.” Truman wagged his finger at her.
Tassia tried so hard not to roll her eyes, but it happened.
“What’s that look about?” Chantel cocked her head.
“I’m not ungrateful about that opportunity. Aaron is a hot artist out right now. I was able to be on a successful track. People know me more.”
“But?” Truman adjusted his baseball cap on his head.
Tassia took a deep breath. “I don’t want to be known as only a ‘hook girl.’ I’m more than that.”
“You are right about that.” Chantel held Truman’s hand. “My husband and I recognize your talent and hard work. We also know that you’ve paid your dues. For that reason, we have an opportunity for you.”
Tassia felt the tide turning. Since she no longer had any kind of relationship now, she could concentrate on herself. Biding her time would give her a grand reward. Even though she disliked doing that infamous hook, she could use that wave of popularity to catapult her solo career. She could see it all now, and the best part would be that she did it all on her own.
“Do you remember Hyde Love?” Truman picked up a remote.
Tassia wished the two of them referred to her failed love life rather than the mega superstar country singer with the unfortunate name and the curse of giving Tassia a couple of big firsts: her first crush and her first big rejection in the business.
As much as she wanted to push out of her head her failed audition with him and his team to be a back-up singer on one of his earlier tours, the denial still haunted her. She would never forget his expression when Burt had pulled her away on her final day of filming.
“Of course I know him. Hyde and I did a year on that show.” Tassia kept her face straight.
“That’s right.” Truman nodded. “Have you two kept in touch since the—”
“No.” No need to tap dance around the obvious.
Tassia and Hyde’s lives took drastically different turns in their careers. The determined kid who started writing songs at age eleven now pretty much owned the music and entertainment industry. Had Burt not pulled her away from the show, perhaps she could have had the music career that bubbly Christina, who had ended up being paired up with Hyde on the show as she had said, now had.
Truman hit a button on a remote. “I’m sure you’re aware now that he’s a huge country artist who has managed to cross over to mainstream while still remaining true country.” He smiled. “Who would have thought that this would happen for this kid star?”
“Yeah. Who would have imagined?” Although she didn’t want to, Tassia focused on the monitor that hung on the wall.
Time had been good to Hyde. She still remembered him as being incredibly shy and quiet except when it came time to perform. Then he appeared larger than life. When she auditioned for her old colleague, he still looked reserved.
A tall, incredibly good-looking man—emphasis on man—populated the screen. At that failed audition, Hyde had sat in the back of the room, keeping his full concentration on a notebook like he had done back in their Ratty days. After Tassia had sung her heart out, Hyde cowardly had his management team dismiss her. He said not one word to her, which after time away from the business to go to school and live life, gave her a quick tutorial back in
to this world. Friends did not exist, and lovers could not be found there.
Back then, Hyde resembled a gangly boy, despite being about nineteen or twenty at the time. Now he looked tall on the screen, but that could have been due to camera angles.
Through his backward baseball cap, she spotted his now light brown hair. He had grown out of his fair hair. The darker hair suited him better.
His scruffy beard kept him from looking like a teenager like Dorian. At one point, Hyde looked directly into the camera. Tassia had been told that her green eyes looked hypnotic. She didn’t see it. Back then and now, Hyde still had that mesmerizing gaze. His eyes drew her in more than the melodic, deep tones coming from his full lips, way different from the way he sang as a kid.
White, black, Hispanic, whatever, this man held her attention. He had star power written all over him. Even with his good looks, that didn’t stop her from seeing him as a dismissive asshole. She hoped this meeting would be about how through her album, she could be bigger than this guy and break all of his sales records. Tassia wanted that. She wanted to show that she could leave this industry and come back bigger and better than ever.
Tassia looked away from the screen before she got sucked in even more. “Looks like he’s a good performer. I see he still remembered some of his dance moves.”
“And the singing. What did you think about his singing and the song?” Chantel grabbed the remote and turned up the volume.
Tassia brought her attention back to the screen. Despite working with him in her youth and auditioning for him as an adult, she hadn’t been a big fan of country music, even the crossover version. She just needed her foot in the door in the industry before she finally got with Charisma.
Hyde sang a song about one person in a relationship trying to fix the flaws of the other person in the relationship and how that never worked, kind of deep for what Tassia imagined for country songs.
“He sounds good.” She shrugged. “Song sounds good. I like that he’s singing about more than beer and hayrides.”
Truman cleared his throat. “Nothing wrong with songs about beer and maybe more beer.”
Crazy on You Page 4
