I don’t respond to her outburst. Dani has just diminished any trust I had in her. Thankfully, I still have faith in Bernie and hope to ask him some questions before we sign.
“Good, well I’ll leave it all with you.” But as she heads out of the kitchen, she demands, “Ash. A quick word.”
I glance at Tommy. We exchange a knowing look as I leave the kitchen and meet Dani at the front door. She turns around and whispers in my ear, “Just remember, everyone is counting on you. You’re the only one we want from all this, so if you disagree, the rest of the band don’t get to follow their dreams and the security you want for your mother’s future won’t materialise.” Pressing her palm flat to my chest, she pats it lightly over my heart. “I’m sure you don’t want to let any of them down.” My blood runs cold. What a bitch and there was me thinking she was pretty cool when we first met.
She peeks over my shoulder to where Tommy leans against the door frame of the kitchen. “See you later, Tom. I hope you make the right choice.” She smirks as she spins on her heels and takes a step out the door.
I try one last time to make her see sense. “Dani?” She turns back, smirk still firmly in place, raised brows and herhead tilted slightly to the side. She couldn’t look any more innocent. “Do you really want us so badly; you’re willing to try any tactic to make it work for you?”
“Oh sweet, sweet Ash. This is business. We do whatever it takes,” she winks.
It’s not just the recording contract now, it’s a life choice. Tommy and I agree, we have to bring Bernie in on this, which is why, as soon as Dani leaves our house, we get on the phone to him.
“Ash, my boy. To what do I owe the pleasure?”
“Hey Bernie, how are you?”
“I’m pretty good, and I hope I still will be after this call.”
“Me and Tommy, we had a visit from Dani.”
“Are we any closer to getting this thing wrapped up?”
“Not quite. Did you know about this girlfriend thing she’s sprung on us?”
“Girlfriend thing? What exactly did she say?” His tone suggests this isn’t a surprise.
“In short, no girlfriends—not serious ones, anyway. Is this right?”
I hear his sigh. “It’s not unusual for us to ask this of our artists—just until their careers take off.”
“What if we say no?”
“It’s your call, but it will be hard on anyone who chooses to be with you. Look, Ash, we’re advising you for your own good. You’ll have no time together, and any spare hours you get, you’ll find you’re too knackered to do anything else but sleep. Then there’s the attention, especially at the start of your career? You’re a good-looking bunch of boys. Female attention of any kind can lead to jealousy and mistrust. It can be atoxic environment for a partner to be in and to be honest, we need you at the top of your game, not worry about any significant others.”
I sigh loudly down the line. I still can’t believe what I’m hearing. After a beat, Bernie says, “Look, I haven’t got a single doubt in my head that you can achieve anything you want, even if you decide to keep seeing Calla, but she has to understand the difficulties and where your priorities lie.”
“So, you know I’m seeing Calla. How did you find out?”
“I didn’t Ash. You just confirmed it, but it was obvious something was happening between you two the night we were introduced at the Black Pearl. She’s a lovely girl, and I wouldn’t blame you for putting your foot down, but I wouldn’t be any kind of manager if I didn’t warn you.”
He’s warning me, not laying the down the law. “And you’re willing to take us on, regardless.”
He laughs, “Yes, Son. Why the hell would you think otherwise.”
“Just something Dani said.”
“Listen, Ash, you’re a grown man with his own mind, but we have to put you in the picture, so you understand what we expect from our artists from the off. No one gets anywhere without hard work, especially in this business.”
“I understand,” I reassure him.
“Good, and as for Dani… well, I’m glad you called me today. Going forward, if you or any of the boys come across something which doesn’t sit right with you, call me. Dani’s good at her job, but she’s young and still learning the business herself. I love my daughter, but she doesn’t always get it right.”
“Thanks, Bernie.”
The phone call ends, and I know there’s a conversation I have to have with Cal. I’ve only just found her again, so Iwon’t give her up, but I hope she’s prepared for what might be ahead. Overall, I feel better about what’s happening, especially as we have Bernie on our side.
Brett and Max couldn’t stop laughing when we first told them about our visit from Dani. So much so, they thought we were joking. To them, it didn’t matter, anyway. I’ve never seen either of them with anyone permanent.
