Jami’s lips curved in a slow, determined smile.“That’s what I wanted to hear.”
He kissed her, brief but full of promise.When they pulled apart, she could still feel his heartbeat against hers, steady and sure.
He stepped back and pulled his phone from his back pocket, and she continued to check the socials to see just how far the label had gone.Ideas flew through her brain about how to repair the damage.But she needed to see where the rest of the band stood first.It was their career on the line, too.This was their first studio album, just a week before their first big tour.The possibility of it all crashing down on them now could tear them apart.
She showered in Jami's beautiful, remodeled bathroom.The job Quinn had done on this remodel was worthy of a magazine spread.Maybe she'd talk Jami into that one day to show the personal side of him and how he lived.He was more down-to-earth than many of the executives she worked for.The world should know this is the Jami that his own record label is trying to smear.She'd seen dirty corporate workings behind the scenes before, but this time it pissed her off.
She donned yesterday's clothes, grateful that Jami had been careful and laid them on the dresser to keep the wrinkles at bay.She didn't have enough time to run to the hotel before everyone arrived, so these clothes would have to do.
When she entered the kitchen, he slid a plate across the counter with a sunny-side-up egg and two pieces of bacon on it."We need to eat."
She smiled at the plate, then looked into his eyes."Thank you."
He leaned across the counter and kissed her lips."You're welcome.Tomorrow I'll make you French toast."
"You're rather sure of yourself, Jami Hart."
He grinned.It was the grin that made the women at his concerts squeal and swoon.But it was real.He wasn't playing a game with her; it was Jami.The man.Her heart thudded in her chest at the realization that she knew the true human behind the voice of Hart & The Hurricanes.It was thrilling.
They ate quickly, and he jumped in the shower while she continued to check socials and the internet to make sure nothing had changed.
As a protective measure, she changed the band's password to keep the label from making any changes, then changed Jami's password to keep them from doing anything to his page.As soon as everyone arrived, it would be the first thing she instructed them to do on their own pages.
They could play this game too.
ChapterTwenty-Five
Jami stood on the porch with a mug of coffee in one hand, watching the dust rise on the gravel road.One by one, the band’s cars came into view.Tony’s truck pulled in first, followed by Sean’s.The last to arrive were Axel and Mads, who climbed out looking as if they hadn’t slept either.
They all had the same look, a mix of tension and determination.Word had gotten around fast.
Jami turned as the screen door opened behind him.Carlene stepped out, her hair still damp from her shower, her face calm but serious.She carried her laptop under one arm and her phone in the other hand.
Axel and Mads stopped a moment, watching them.Mads grinned broadly, then continued on into the barn.
“They’re ready,” she said quietly."And maybe they know."
He chuckled."So?"
She shrugged but didn't say anything further.
He nodded.“We're ready too.”
They strolled to the Barn together, not touching, though he wanted to hold her hand or wrap a comforting arm around her shoulders.At this point, she was all business again, and the only one of them who would receive the comfort would be him.
Inside the barn, the air felt heavier, like everyone was bracing for what came next.They gathered around the massive wooden coffee table, each perched on the sofas.But none of them looked casual.
Tony leaned forward.“All right, fill us in.What the hell’s going on?”
Carlene opened her laptop and projected the social feed onto the TV.“The label posted this early this morning.It’s a spliced clip that makes it look like Jami’s rebelling against them.The caption reads,Hart’s Rebellion Begins.It’s spreading fast.I've removed it and changed the password on the band's account and Jami's.The first thing each of you should do, right now, is change your passwords on your socials so the label can't do anything to your accounts."
Tony took a deep breath."It's in our contract that they have access to the band's account."
Carlene nodded."And I'd like you to call the attorney for the band and ask him or her to look over your contract.It likely contains one or more clauses on conduct and good faith.I'd like to see a copy of your contract myself if you're willing to share it."
Jami nodded."I have one in the office at home."
As the members were busy changing their passwords, Jami glanced at Carlene and nodded.
