Queen of Kings

by RH Tucker

  “I know! She hates him, though. Every time I think I’m close to saying it, she mentions some other thing that she’s disgusted with simply by being in contact with my dad.”

  “Austin, if you don’t say anything and she finds out through someone else, you won’t even have the chance to explain. Then it really will seem like you were hiding it. It’s better if it comes from you.”

  I cringe, finally looking up at him. “You’re right.” Nodding, I try to build confidence and determination. “Yeah, you’re right. I need to do this. She’s gonna text me after she’s done working with her band. I’ll tell her tonight.”

  “What are you gonna say?”

  A wide-eyed stare falls over me, gazing aimlessly at the desk his feet are on. “I have no idea. I’ll just be honest, I guess. That’s the only thing I can do. Tell her I should’ve said who I was from the beginning, but I didn’t know how. Especially after learning how horrid of a person she thinks my father is.” I let out a defeated chuckle. “Not that she’s wrong.”

  Getting his feet off the desk, he shoves my hands, laughing. “Come on, man. He can’t be that bad.”

  “Shawn, you don’t know my father.”

  “No, but I know a lot of people have jobs because of him. And some of the artists he signs make millions.”

  “While he makes hundreds of millions. Every deal he’s ever made has been for his own benefit, not that of the talent he signs. And it sucks, because I know he started out in the business with good intentions. Remember The Lancasters?”

  Shawn nods hesitantly. “Kind of.”

  “I know it was decades ago, but he produced their first record. It made millions, but it also got him and the band six Grammy nominations. He started out with a love for music. That same love I have. But now …” I shake my head, letting out a defeated sigh. “Sometimes, I wish people knew that guy, instead of the man he’s become.”

  “Sounds like you want to know him, too.”

  I take a deep breath, hearing Shawn’s words. I did want to know that man. Especially when I was just beginning to learn how the music industry worked. I think I was eleven or twelve. I remember finding articles and interviews of my dad long before I was born. He had a spark in his eyes. At one point in time, it wasn’t all about the money. But that’s not the man he is anymore.

  “I did. But those days are long gone.”

  After hanging around the offices, I finally had to go to a night class, and then I went home. By the time I got home, my nerves were shot, thinking that Derrik remembered who I am and told Jade, who in turn, decided to shun any and all thoughts of me. I let out a sigh of relief when I finally received a text message from her telling me the band got caught up in writing some new stuff. She said she’d call me today but wasn’t sure when because the band wanted to keep working since they were on a roll of sorts before they called it a night last night.

  But today is the day. It has to be. I don’t care if the next time I see her, she comes to me venting about all the frustrations of Rich Records and Bret and everything else. She could tell me Jimmy Richards is a dirtbag that kills kittens, and anyone even remotely close to him should be ashamed of themselves. No matter what, I’m telling her.

  After a morning class, I head to my weekly lunch meeting with said imagined kitten killer. As is the case most days, he’s late, so that doesn’t help my nerves for when I’ll eventually tell Jade about myself today. What kind of man can’t ever be on time for lunch with family? But I guess I’ve always known that.

  I’ve already got a burger at my table, and I take another bite when he sits down next to me. I glance over at him, then at the two chairs in front of us, on the other side of the table.

  “Same side of the table, Dad? I don’t know that we’re there in our relationship yet.”

  “Very funny,” he replies without an ounce of humor. Staring at me, his eyes jump from my hair to my face. “Still no haircut. Austin, what kind of—”

  “Yeah, yeah,” I blow him off, waving my hand before I grab my drink. “I know. Businessmen are orderly and all that. I’ll get one next week.”

  “You said that three weeks ago. You really should listen to me more often. We’re meeting a client.”

  I choke on my food. “What?”

  No matter how I feel about the job I have for Rich Records, or my weekly meetups with my dad, whenever he brings me along for actual business meetings, I make sure I come prepared. Like our meeting with Daniel Archibald. Sure, I don’t hold as much stock as a nicely trimmed haircut or being cleanly shaven as my father, but I make sure I don’t come off as an aloof ass. Being the boss’ son, people like to think I just coast by, but I want to always be ready. I dress nicer and make sure I do my homework on whatever client we’re meeting.

  “Dad, why didn’t you tell me? I like to be prepared for those things.”

  “It was last minute,” he replies. Straightening out his tie, he turns his phone on for a minute, checking the time. He doesn’t wait on anyone unless it’s a major star for Rich Records. If he’s waiting for them to show up, it just amps up my nerves further.

  “Damn it, Dad.” I hastily wipe my mouth with a napkin. “I’m gonna look like an ass. Who is it? Flatliners? Kacey Evans?” I list two of the biggest artists signed to the company.

  “No,” he replies. “Someone we’re trying to sign. They might be having second thoughts, though, so I need to lock this deal down. Just sit and listen, you don’t have to add anything.” He nods toward the entrance of the restaurant. “Here they come.”

  I look over and my heart drops. All the blood drains from my face. Bret walks through the doors first, followed by what appears to be a pissed-off Jade. He whispers something to her, and she snaps at him, but I can’t hear what she says. Then she looks ahead and sees me.

  A smile crosses her face for a moment, but it’s gone as fast as it arrived. Her eyes jump to my father, standing next to me, then back to me. The joyous expression is gone. It morphs from confusion, then heartbreak. But it only stays there for a second, before the look of annoyance that she walked in with returns. But that is also gone before a second ticks by. All that remains on her face is disgust.

  25

  Jade

  The day started off great. The band had a great session in the studio yesterday that lasted a lot longer than any of us expected. It was all demo stuff, but we nailed down a couple hooks and some more lyrics for our next record. So, venturing into the studio again today, I was expecting more of the same. And it did start out that way.

  For the first couple of hours, we were really in stride. Maddox laid down a fantastic drum track that we were thinking could even be for one of the first singles for the next album. Sure, that’s a long way off for a new record, but that’s how excited we all were about it. Then I get a message from Bret.

  He told me he’s been trying to set up a meeting with Jimmy Richards for a week, and it’s been hit and miss the entire time. He asked if maybe I could call him to set something up so his band can get started in the studio. However, the last thing I want to do is speak with Jimmy, and I told Bret that.

  An hour later, he messaged me again, telling me he was able to find out that Richards was going to be in town for the next few days but was flying out of the country soon for two weeks. Bret knows I haven’t been back to Rich Records, and he’s afraid that if we don’t meet with Richards, Skum Bucket won’t ever be able to get into the studio.

  After ignoring that text message, he sent me another one thirty minutes later. That’s when I turned my phone to silent.

  For the next two hours, the guys and I continued to work on our stuff, and then a receptionist phoned into the studio, telling me I had a phone call. No one ever calls us at the studio, so even if I should’ve known it was going to be Bret, I didn’t. When I answered, he asked why I haven’t been responding to his messages.

  “Bret, you’re out of control,” I tell him. “I’m with the guys. We’re recording right now—”r />
  “And you don’t think I don’t want to do that with my band, Jade!” he yells back.

  “That’s not my problem.”

  “No, it is your problem. My deal is contractually obligated through yours. You’re the key to us getting our first record out. Don’t do this to me, Jade.”

  “I don’t know what you want me to tell you. I haven’t been back there, and as a matter of fact, I won’t go back there. Jimmy Richards is a snake, and I can’t believe I ever agreed to this.”

  “But you did agree to it. Jade, you promised. I don’t care that we aren’t together anymore, you promised me this.”

  Words escape me. Mostly because he just flat-out, point-blank said he didn’t care about our relationship. I liked him. I might’ve never been in love with him, but I did like him. For him to say it basically meant nothing to him hurts and angers me. Unfortunately, he’s right, I did promise. And no matter how hurt and mad I am over his lack of feelings for what was supposed to be something real between us, I still feel a tinge of guilt. When I made the deal, I did promise him.

  “Fine,” I reply. “But this is it, Bret. I’m serious. Set up the meeting and let me know when it is. When it’s over, it’s over. For good. I hope you and your band can get things going, but I won’t be tied to Jimmy Richards.”

  “Good enough for me,” he says, and I can’t help the scoff that escapes me. “I’m gonna track him down. I’ll call you back when I have some info.”

  “Whatever,” I snap, and hang up before he can say anything else.

  Walking back into the recording studio, the boys all stare at me. “Jade, I will hunt him down—” Maddox says, but I let out a defeated chuckle, waving him off.

  “It’s fine, Maddy.”

  Derrik and EJ both exchange looks. They know I don’t call my brother that unless we’re by ourselves or I’m feeling extra emotional.

  “What’s up?” Derrik asks.

  Taking a seat on a stool, I pick at my cuticles. “I know I broke up with him. I know I started liking Austin while I was technically still with Bret and all of that.” As I stare at the ground, they all remain quiet. I glance up and see EJ waiting for me to continue—being there for me as I’ve been there for him. All of them. “I guess I wanted to believe somewhere, I don’t know where, but somewhere … that he really did feel something for me. I can’t say I was ever in love with him, but I wasn’t with him to get something out of him. But …” Another deep breath. “I guess that’s all I ever was to him.”

  Derrik wraps an arm over my shoulder, embracing me. “He’s a jackass, Jade.”

  “Yeah,” EJ agrees. “He’s a complete idiot. Don’t feel bad over that douche. And hey? You’ve got Austin now, so I’m sure that’s better.”

  “Yeah.” Derrik laughs. “Just ask your brother. I’m sure he’ll tell you new hookups are always the best.”

  “Dude!” Maddox yells, hitting Derrik’s shoulder. “That’s my sister.”

  Giggling, I swat Derrik’s other arm. “Yeah, as funny as that was, that’s doubly gross. I so do not want to think about that.”

  “You crossed the line, man,” Maddox shouts, still chuckling.

  “Thanks, guys,” I tell them.

  “Group hug!” EJ yells, laughing along.

  Maddox is the first to break up our moment, and tells me to get back to work and write a breakup song that Bret will truly regret one day. We don’t do that, but we do get back to brainstorming on new music for the next hour. We can’t get into much of a rhythm, though, as Bret calls the studio again.

  Rolling my eyes, I answer it. “What now?”

  “I’m coming to the studio to pick you up.”

  “What? Why?”

  “We’re meeting.”

  “What do you mean? Right now?”

  “Yeah. He’s in town, and he’s shuffling things around.”

  “I don’t understand. How come he’s meeting us so soon?” Silence on the other end of the phone. “Bret?”

  “So, I might’ve told him you haven’t been in the studio for almost two weeks and don’t plan on going back.”

  “What is wrong with you?” I scream at him. “Why would you tell him that?”

  “It’s the truth, right? Besides, he wants you, Jade. You know that. If he thinks he’s gonna lose you, I bet that old man would give up his family.”

  Pinching the bridge of my nose, I scan our studio. The guys aren’t as aware as before, and I dig my toe into the short carpet. I love being in the studio and creating music, but this entire thing with Bret is working my last nerves, even if I am in my usual comfort cocoon.

  “Jade, we’ll meet up with him, and you’ll be done,” he continues. “I told you, all I want is that record deal. We can spin it any way you want as long as Skum Bucket gets the deal.”

  “Fine, whatever.” I let out an annoyed sigh. “When will you be here?”

  “I already am. Should I come in?”

  “No!” I shout, earning a look from the guys. “No, I’ll be right down.”

  Hanging up, the boys all stare at me. “Sorry, guys. I need to go take care of this.”

  “I’m going with you,” Maddox says, getting up from his chair behind his drum kit.

  “No. I have to do this by myself.” He stares at me, unsure. “It’ll be okay. I just want all of this to be over. I don’t know what I was thinking.”

  “If you need anything, call us,” Derrik says.

  Nodding, I grab my phone and head out of the studio. Once I get to the parking garage, I find Bret sitting in his 1985 black El Camino, with vintage chipped paint job and cracked dashboard. It’s a car I’ve been in multiple times, and I know Bret loves because he said it gives him character. Him, not the car. And the only reason I know it’s 1985 is that Bret would always refer to it as a classic.

  Shaking my head, I get in, buckle up, and look straight ahead.

  “Thanks, Jade,” he says.

  “Whatever. Let’s just get this over with.”

  He doesn’t say anything else, and we’re on our way. Surprisingly, I’m not nervous. I genuinely want to get this over and done with. I couldn’t care less about going back to Rich Records or being alone to create more music. Especially after the last couple of days recording with my boys. It’s actually inspired me to bring Derrik and EJ in and work on some other stuff for me.

  Finally getting to our destination, I scan the parking lot Bret pulls into, seeing a fancy restaurant that a lot of celebrities visit. “Seriously?” I ask him. “Armando’s?”

  “Yeah, he was having lunch or something and said he’ll give us a few minutes.”

  “Whatever.” I shake my head and get out of the car, walking toward the entrance.

  Bret hurries next to me, whispering, “Just let me handle this.”

  “Bret, you’ve done enough.”

  “Jade, I don’t want this thing screwed up.” He opens the door for me. “You practically spit on him the first time we met.”

  “I did not,” I snap. “I was just annoyed you wanted to set that meeting up in the first place.”

  “Okay, okay,” he whispers, waving his hands. “Just … be calm.”

  Rolling my eyes, I shake my head and continue following him. Suddenly, I see Austin. A smile instantly hits my lips, but as soon as it does, my eyes jump to the man next to him. It’s Jimmy Richards.

  I don’t know what to feel. The warm and fuzzy feelings I’ve had since I’ve been around Austin immediately dissipate. I don’t understand what’s happening. Why is he standing next to Jimmy Richards?

  I keep moving forward, but my steps are slower. I watch Austin smile uncomfortably, offering me a wave, but I don’t wave back. Does he work directly for Richards? I knew he worked at Rich Records, but could he be his personal assistant? My mind starts racing even further. Why didn’t he tell me? Was this a play all along? To get close to me, working for Richards to try and get me to sign with them and break up my band? My blood begins to boil, thinking about th
e possible sabotage missions Jimmy Richards and now apparently Austin could’ve been working on.

  “Thank you for meeting with us so soon, Mr. Richards,” Bret says, offering him his hand.

  “Certainly,” Jimmy responds, smiling. It’s the same suspicious smile I remember from our first meeting.

  “Hey, what’s up, Austin?” Bret asks him, offering his hand, too.

  “Wait, what?” I glare at Bret. “You know him?”

  “Yeah.” Bret nods as if everything is right in the world. “We met at a couple of weeks back.”

  “Are you kidding me?” My head snaps to Austin, who looks ashamed, then to Bret. “You’ve been working with his personal assistant the entire time? You’ve been setting this thing up from the beginning?”

  “Whoa, calm down,” Bret responds. “Personal assistant?”

  My glare turns to Austin. “That’s what you are, right? You’re Jimmy Richards’ right-hand man? That’s why you have free rein over Rich Records. You can come and go as you please? What, you were just trying to snake in between my band and me?”

  “Jade, what are you talking about?” Bret asks.

  “Let me explain,” Austin pleads.

  “Oh, so you know my son?” Jimmy says, taking a seat in his chair. His action inspires the same from Bret, but Austin stays standing, holding my gaze. “I guess there’s no need for introductions, then.”

  “Son?” I whisper, feeling dizzy.

  “Please,” Austin repeats. “I can explain.”

  Ignoring our personal exchange, Bret gets right down to business. “Mr. Richards, as I told you, Jade isn’t recording at Rich Records.”

  “Yes, I’m sorry to hear that, Jade,” Jimmy says. “I was hoping we’d have—”

  “I want nothing to do with you,” I snap at Jimmy, finally coming to some coherency. My gaze jumps back to Austin. “Any of you.”

  “I’m sorry you feel that way,” Jimmy replies.

  “Jade—”

  “No!” I throw a finger in Austin’s face, cutting him off. “Don’t you dare try and talk to me.”