“You guys were signed,” I utter unbelieving, still flipping through the pages.
“Yeah, a few months ago. They want to put us on tour soon, too.”
I stack the papers together, shove them into the envelope, and hand it back to Cal. “Congratulations, but I’m not signing this.”
He reaches into his rear pocket and offers me a small gray-shaded square. “Here. They sent me with this. It’s only half to show good faith because they can’t legally give you the rest until the contract is signed.”
I reluctantly take it into my hand and assess the check from the record company. It’s not a sizable amount even though it’s only a portion, but it’s likely fair.
“I don’t need this,” I say, waving the monetary offer through the air.
“Oh, I know you don’t.” He laughs. “Your family has you set for life. You don’t need anything from anyone.”
My hands drop to my sides. “What do you know about my family?”
“Not too much, in all honesty, which is kind of weird, seeing how we were together for so long.”
“It’s not like I ever met your parents,” I respond in defense. “So, what’s the big deal?”
“Well, when you come from a family like yours, I kind of get the feeling it is a big deal.”
“Why do you say that?”
“You don’t know, do you?”
“Obviously not. I have zero clue what you’re talking about.”
“Your mother pulled me aside when she came to visit you last spring.”
“She did?” I ask, incredulous.
“Yep.” He hooks his thumbs through his belt loops. “Told me about how you couldn’t possibly be in love with me because…how did she put it? I’m not from the right breeding. That a guy like me and a young lady like her daughter would never have a future. That I would likely never be able to support you, let alone myself, and that I was low-class and not worthy of someone like you.”
“She said those things to you?”
“Yes.” He nods in affirmative for emphasis. “Of course, I might be paraphrasing a little, but you get the idea.”
“She doesn’t know what she’s talking about.”
“Maybe, maybe not, but in any case, she was sure to let me know that anything between you and me would never last, that I was likely just a fling before you settled down with some hotel heir.”
I shut my lids, shielding the world from my frustration due to my family’s oppressive ways. I’m just a cog in a master plan not of my making.
When will it stop?
“Why didn’t you tell me this?” I question, feeling blindsided.
“I don’t know.” He shoves his hands into his jacket pockets. “Maybe because I believed her.”
“Why would you?” I question, shocked by his statement.
“Honestly?”
“Yes, honestly. Tell me.”
“Because the reality is, I never really felt that close to you. When we were together, it was like you were never able to truly open yourself up. And after meeting your mother that wonderful Sunday afternoon, I realized that there was a lot more to you than you’d ever let on. Way more.”
“Are you talking about my family’s money?”
