Tony leaned forward, elbows on his knees.“All right, everyone’s here.Carlene’s got a plan to kick off the next leg of the tour.Let’s hear her out.”
The barn’s side door opened, and Carlene stepped inside.She looked polished and crisp, laptop under her arm, hair smooth and gleaming even in the warm morning light.The room seemed to sharpen around her.
“Good morning,” she said, voice smooth and professional.
Maddyn smiled.“Morning.Coffee’s fresh, help yourself.”
Carlene shook her head lightly.“I’m fine, thank you.”She set her laptop on the coffee table and knelt beside it, posture straight and confident.
When the screen lit up, the group leaned forward.Tour photos.Headlines.Snippets of fan comments.Carlene’s tone stayed calm and even, but there was an undercurrent of energy in it, like someone used to holding a room.
“You’ve built an incredible foundation,” she began.“The music is strong, the fanbase loyal.But the next phase is about keeping the emotional connection alive.Fans buy music with their hearts before they buy it with their wallets.”
Sean nodded.“We’ve always said that.Music’s emotion.”
“Exactly,” Carlene said.“And right now, the fans are still invested, but their emotional focus drifts.We need to give them something to hold on to.A story.Something that feels like love.”
Axel raised an eyebrow.“You mean like a documentary?”
“Not quite.”Her eyes flicked toward Jami.“More like a visible connection.Your fans fell in love with your songs because they believed in the feelings behind them.But if the lead singer stops showing that connection offstage, the illusion fades.”
Livia leaned in, resting her chin on her hand.“You’re talking about showing more of Jami’s personal side.”
Carlene met her gaze and smiled, grateful for the perceptive question.“Exactly.Interviews, photos, maybe even a storyline the fans can follow.Something romantic, but aspirational.They want to believe he lives the songs he sings.Just as you all do.”
Tony sat back, studying her.“And by storyline, you mean…”
“A relationship,” she said simply.
Maddyn blinked.“You’re serious?”
“Completely.”
Axel grinned.“So what, you want him to fake a girlfriend?”
Carlene didn’t flinch.“I’m suggesting we control the narrative before someone else does.A visible partnership creates intrigue.People talk.Buzz builds.Done right, it looks authentic.”
Sean rubbed his jaw.“Seems like a slippery slope, though.”
Carlene shrugged, unbothered.“Everything in this business is a slope.The trick is learning how to stand steady on it.”
Jami shifted on the sofa, heat prickling at the back of his neck.“So I’m supposed to smile for the cameras and pretend to fall in love for clicks?”
Carlene met his eyes squarely.“I’m suggesting that you remind people why they fell for you.”
Livia’s tone turned thoughtful.“She’s not wrong.We’ve all seen what happens when the spotlight feels cold.People assume the magic’s gone.”
Tony nodded slowly, giving his wife’s hand a squeeze.“And buzz means momentum.Momentum keeps this whole machine running.”
Jami looked between them, then back at Carlene.“Feels like you’re turning me into a marketing campaign.”
She tilted her head slightly.“Not a campaign.A reminder.They love your voice, but they also love the man they think you are.Let’s show them he’s still there.”
Her words struck something inside him he didn’t want to name.He cleared his throat.“You think I’ve lost him?”
“I think he’s hiding,” she breathed.
No one spoke for a long moment.Even Axel, usually quick with a joke, stayed quiet.
