Much to my relief, she didn’t ask. The relief quickly shifted to guilt. And then worry. Why didn’t she ask? What did that mean? Fuck. Were we okay?

I suddenly wanted to confess all my sins, but we were in the conference room now, and Lana was looking at me expectantly. I didn’t have time to bear my soul to Kiera. I had a job to do. And besides…I still wasn’t actually capable of telling her. I could wish it…but I couldn’t say it.

Kiera was unnaturally quiet as Lana explained the details of the contract to the guys. I found myself only half listening to Lana as I contemplated what Kiera was thinking. How much had I worried her? When Lana was done and the guys had all read through the contract, I made myself refocus. This was important. We all needed to be on the same page if we were going to proceed.

Glancing between Matt and Evan, I asked, “What do you guys think?” I wasn’t a lawyer or anything, but the terms sounded fair to me. More than fair from other stories I’d heard. For starters, we’d get to keep control of our songs. That in and of itself was huge. We’d also have a say in what songs went on the album. Not final say, of course, but we’d at least have a voice.

Matt and Evan looked at each other. They still seemed a bit stunned and overwhelmed. By withholding this information from them, I hadn’t given them a lot of time to consider. But I knew their hearts, knew their dreams. This was what they wanted for the band, and I was fairly certain this deal was the best we’d get. I wasn’t worried about what Griffin thought; he’d say yes to anything that resulted in a professional album with him on the cover. But Matt and Evan…if just one of them said no, then that was it. We’d find something else, or we’d just go home and keep playing at Pete’s. And I was kind of okay with that option.

Matt and Evan smiled at each other before returning their eyes to me. “Yeah, we’re in,” Matt said with a nod. I couldn’t contain my grin. As much as going home sounded fantastic, I wanted this for them. And maybe…for myself too. Fuck. We were actually going to do this.

Lana showed us where to sign, and we all started putting pen to paper. Except Griffin. He was scowling at the paper like it had just bitten him or something. “Dude, Kell, did you read this? I don’t believe this shit!”

I wanted to sigh…because I had a good idea just what he was pissed about. And I didn’t want to discuss it here, in front of Kiera.