“Smash Rose is going to perform?” I questioned, loving the cool, country-rock band whose songs had been climbing the charts.
“Yup.”
“Have you seen Avery?” I asked.
“Yeah. He’s around the corner in the dressing room.”
“Okay, thank you.”
I was just about to turn to go there when Mr. Mundy said, “One more thing. I want to talk to you about your record label.”
“Well, I’m trying to start one,” I said, knowing he didn’t want to be bored with my lil’ dreams.
“Well, I know I wasn’t positive about it when your dad first brought you to talk to me, but we have a couple of independent labels signed to Mundy to help with their distribution. If their label succeeds, my label does too. I’d love to sit down with you to talk about what you’re doing and possibly get you a distribution deal.”
“So you mean my record label could be under your label?”
“Yup. We could grow together.”
“Wow! Can I run it by my parents?”
“Absolutely.”
“So what’s going on here?” I asked, still curious about why my dad brought me to the Renaissance.
“Your dad has brought a lot of influential folks in the city together tonight, not to give to his campaign, but to give to the arts. Tonight my artists are performing, and all the proceeds go to this theater.”
“Well, if your artists are performing for free, how does that help?” I asked, really wanting to understand why he was so pumped about this.
“Great question, Slade. The publicity this charity event is generating will turn into big dollars. Sometimes you gotta give to get. Your dad his helping us all in this city to understand that concept, and Charlotte is going to be stronger because of his vision.”
“Wow!” I said, completely blown away. I now understood why Avery’s mom was so excited to see my father.
When Mr. Mundy went to go to take a seat, I sat on the stairs. The first time I was sitting there I was crying. I’d lost a pageant, and I thought my dreams were over. The second time I was there I was scared to death thinking Avery’s life was over. Now, weeks later, I realized that no one controlled my dream but me. You’ve got to do things the right way so you won’t be indebted to shady folks.
I’d started a record label, and, sure, we hadn’t even cut our first demo, but the fact that I believed I could gave me all the confidence I needed to sit there for a second and reflect. I didn’t want to get in my own way. I didn’t want to do things that messed me up. I didn’t want to bust into Avery’s dressing room and take the kiss to the next level. My dad told me I couldn’t see him, and even though he was here helping Avery’s mom, that didn’t mean all was good for Avery to be my boo.
“Going through your thoughts, pretty lady?” I heard Avery say.
His voice was just as husky and sexy as it was weeks ago when he encouraged me and dried my tears. I didn’t want to look his way. The undeniable chemistry between us won out.
“I miss you,” he said, smiling all wide.
“I’m just glad you’re better,” I told him, scared to say more.
“A few bumps and bruises can’t keep a brother down. But I’m sorry I hadn’t called. I’ve been busy with Mr. Mundy. Things worked out for his company. I’m going to have a single out.”
“Yeah, he just told me. Can’t wait to hear you perform on that stage.”
“But you haven’t been calling me either. Everything alright?”
Before I could answer “no,” I heard my father’s authoritative voice say, “Slade Sharp!”
“Dad, Dad, I was looking for you. I, I was just sitting here, and Avery came over. It’s not like we bumped into …”
“You don’t have to explain,” my father said, cutting me off. “Avery’s cool.” I looked really confused. “His mom, he and I have been talking over the last couple of days. I’ve actually been down in the studio with Mundy, and Avery’s got talent like you said.”
Could this be happening? When a tear welled up, I knew this was real. My dad was coming around.
My father leaned in and said, “I stand corrected. You don’t need to get too turnt up with this guy, but I approve, baby.”
I just hugged my dad so tight. I gave Avery a thumbs up. He winked.
“You gonna keep things on the up and up though, right, young man?” my father said to Avery. He noticed Avery checking me out. “We talked about guidelines with my daughter, and we also talked about you walking the right way.”
“Yeah, I just got to get these guys their money back, sir. I owe three Gs,” Avery admitted as his grin turned to worry.
“With them sitting in jail, they won’t be coming looking for it no time soon. I’m sure you learned your lesson that you can’t go to shady characters to right things wrong in your life.” Avery nodded and my dad touched his shoulder. “You better get on out there. Show’s ready to start.”
My dad turned around and walked out. I couldn’t believe he was so awesome. I’d seen Shelby and Ansli come to this big revelation that our father was the bomb over the past few months, and now it was my turn. Both of them were eighteen and could vote. Though I wasn’t old enough to cast mine for Stanley Sharp, I sure wanted to. Not because Stanley Sharp was my father, but because he was a great man who had big visions and wanted to do all he could to help everybody win in Charlotte.
“I’ll let you go get ready to perform,” I said, turning away.
Avery gently grabbed my hand and said, “Nuh-uh, you’re not getting away from me that fast.”
Avery pulled me to him. He kissed me long, but when the kiss was over, he didn’t let go of my hand. He actually dragged me on stage with him.
I had no choice but to follow. Avery mouthed, “Trust me.” When we got to the stage, the audience roared.
Avery commanded the mic like a pro and said, “Hey everybody, I’m Avery Hardy, and I’m excited to be the newest solo artist for Mundy Records. Thanks for coming out tonight for this great event. I want to sing my new single for you, but before I do that, I’d like to ask this lovely lady here if she would join me in a song we sang in the studio a couple weeks ago. I know this song needs to be on the album. You tell us if you agree.”
When the music came on, I realized this was the song we made at Boots’ house. The house lights dimmed, and the spotlight came on Avery and me. Our eyes connected, and our voices meshed. After hearing only the first few opening bars, the crowd went wild.
All was right with my world. My dad was so close to being the mayor. My family was great. I’d always wanted friends outside of my sisters, and now I had two, Charlotte and Taylor. A month ago, I didn’t think I was ready for a boyfriend, but I guess a boyfriend was ready for me. To make it all great, I got my dream. This time I wasn’t asleep. I was fully awake, enjoying my reality. I was in my element, giving it my all and feeling like a superstar.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Shout outs to all those who help me give it my all.
To my parents, Dr. Franklin and Shirley Perry, you are some turnt up parents who loved me with all you had.
To my Publisher, especially, production editor, Martha Kranes, you all are a turnt up company who prints works that make a difference.
To my extended family, you are my turnt up family that gives me wings to fly.
To my assistants Shaneen Clay, Alyxandra Pinkston, and Candace Johnson, you are some turnt up young ladies who help me write stories that matter.
To my dear friends, you are a group of turnt up real friends that I can’t live without.
To my teens, Dustyn, Sydni, and Sheldyn, you are my turnt up babies who I work hard to help succeed.
To my husband, Derrick, you give me turnt up love that fills my heart.
To my readers, you are a turnt up crew and I’m proud of you doing more to become all you can be.
And to my Heavenly Father, you are my turnt up Savior and you bless me by giving my life purpose.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
STEPHANIE PERRY MOORE is the author of more than sixty young adult titles, including the Grovehill Giants series, the Lockwood Lions series, Payton Skky series, the Laurel Shadrach series, the Perry Skky Jr. series, the Yasmin Peace series, the Faith Thomas Novelzine series, the Carmen Browne series, the Morgan Love series, the Alec London series, and the Beta Gamma Pi series. Mrs. Moore is a motivational speaker who enjoys encouraging young people to achieve every attainable dream. She lives in the greater Atlanta area with her husband, Derrick, and their three children. Visit her website at www.stephanieperrymoore.com.
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