“Is that good?”
“I posted it at six this morning when I woke up.”
“Wow.”
“That’s an understatement.”
I sigh heavily and signal to turn onto Main Street. “The numbers don’t mean much,” I tell her.
“Let me put it into music perspective,” she says as she pockets her phone. “You released a song a little over an hour ago and a million plus people already downloaded it.”
“That’s good!”
She smiles and I feel like she’s patronizing me. “The video I uploaded is thirty minutes, raw and unedited footage of their favorite singer talking. It’s more than good, Dad. It’s phenomenal.”
Her phone chimes and she takes it from her bag. “Well, now it’s up to four states according to Ben. He’s working with Bex and the contractor on expanding FMG Records.”
I stare out the windshield and wonder what I’m going to do without her when she goes to college. “Are you planning to go to college?”
She looks at me with the most vacant look ever. “Yes. I’m not staying here.”
“State?”
“God no. Mack and I are talking about UNLV.”
“Las Vegas?”
“Yep, or somewhere in Cali.”
“Right. Of course. Well, make sure you hire and train your replacement because I don’t know what I’ll do without you.”
I seriously don’t want her going to school in Las Vegas, the city of sin—most of it created by me, Harrison and JD—fuck my life.
We get out and walk toward the café. My phone vibrates and I glance at the text from Bex and frown.
“What’s wrong?”
“A station three states over wants to carry us.”
“That’s great,” Paige says as I hold the door open for her. “Bex will work it out. Let her do the hard stuff.” Paige goes behind the counter, by passing the line, and gets the items we want. A chocolate croissant for her and a cinnamon roll for me. Trudy brings me a cup of coffee and leaves a glass of juice for Paige.
“I love the show but miss hearing you sing. Don’t give it up.”
“Thanks, Trudy. I won’t.”
Paige returns with Josie on her heels. She sits down with her breakfast and a cup of coffee. My girls are across from me, and I wonder how I got so damn lucky.
“This a nice surprise,” Josie says as she sips her coffee. “I love it when my family comes in.”
“It’s free food,” Paige says as she stuffs her face. “Besides, if I ask dad to make breakfast, it’s eggs, bacon, toast, and I don’t want all of that. This was easier.”
“Why didn’t you drive yourself?”
“I wanted to go over the numbers with dad this morning and it was just easier to do it in the car.”
“Are they good?”
“Multi-platinum,” I say, telling Josie something I know she’d understand.
