Free Home by Melissa Pearl Page B

you to sign.” Parker pulled a pen from his inside jacket pocket.
    I gazed at the fat ballpoint in his fingers.
    “Unless you have any questions.”
    “No, I don’t think so. I mean, it’s hard to understand all the phrasing, but I get most of what you’re saying.”
    “It must seem overwhelming, and if you want to keep this for a few days and read it over, you’re more than welcome. Do you have a lawyer you want to show it to?”
    “Do I need to do that?” I wound a curl around my pointer finger.
    “Well, no, but some people like to.” Parker placed the pen on the table and threaded his hands together, resting them lightly on top of the contract. “This document is here to protect all the parties involved. If you sign it, you’re giving yourself the opportunity to become the singer you deserve to be. When we sign, we are committing to helping you reach that goal. It’s mutually beneficial. If we succeed, then you succeed, and if you succeed, we’re all going to make ourselves some music and some very sweet cash.” His wink and sassy smile settled my nerves. “Trust us, Rachel. We’re going to make your dreams come true.”
    “Okay.” I nodded, reaching for the pen.
    “Just sign here.” Parker pointed to the page, and I scrawled my John Hancock with a flourish.
    He then collected up the pages and knocked them against the desk to straighten them before sliding them into his bag.
    “Congratulations, Rachel. I know Aren’s really excited about working with you.”
    “Me, too.” An unexpected laugh popped out of me.
    “Fantastic.” Parker rose from his seat. “Why don’t you get yourself packed up. I’ll go check you out of the hotel, and we’ll head to your new place.”
    “Sounds good.”
    He walked out of the room. Once again, I waited for the door to click shut before jumping from my chair with a squeal.
    “Mama, I’m on my way!”
    I thought about calling Josh right then, but I was worried his silence or cynical remarks might kill my euphoric moment. I’d call him later once I was settled into my new apartment.
    Snatching my stuff together, I proceeded to shove it into my bag and then collect my guitar. Ten minutes later I was down in the lobby, just in time to see Parker strolling toward me with a grin. He took my suitcase and ushered me out to his car.
    “I asked the hotel to scan the contract for me, so it’s already on its way to Aren. He’ll sign this afternoon and it’s a sealed deal.”
    “All right.” I slid into the car and buckled up while he closed my door and walked to his side. “So, where’s my new place?”
    “Downtown. We house all our girls there.”
    “Your girls?” My nose wrinkled.
    He laughed at my scrunched up expression. “In training. Singers who are doing a similar thing to you. It’s just easier for them to be near the club and gives you a sense of family, knowing your neighbors are in a similar boat to you.”
    “Aren’t they my competition, though?”
    Parker grinned but kept his eyes on the road. His aviator shades took over half his face anyway, so I couldn’t really tell what he was thinking.
    “We select our clients very carefully.” He raised his pointer finger. “We only take on those we know we can promote successfully and who have the talent to make it.” He raised his next finger. “We like to have variety in our mix, so while we’re trying for a country-pop label for you, we’re looking for other things for our other clients. Don’t think of it like competition. You’re all there to help each other succeed.”
    “I like that.” I nodded with a smile, a thrill buzzing through me. I couldn’t wait to meet the girls.
     
    *****
     
    The drive took some time, thanks to insane traffic, but eventually Parker pulled into an underground parking garage and led me to the elevator. We went up to the fifth floor, and I followed him down a dimly lit corridor. It was a far cry from my swanky beach hotel, but at least it was clean.
    Parker