Page 534 of Call Me Baby 2: Side B

“You change, the deal changes,” I reply.

A lazy smile falls on his face.

“A living contract model.”

Something dangerous is happening.

The rest of the world goes quiet around us, noise a background blur, people fading out, leaving only room for this terrifying future.

Like this could become real.

Dad appears in my mind fast, stealing my chest. “And every artist gets someone inside the building paid to protect them from the building.”

Andrew’s eyes hold mine.

“That's good.”

I can see it. “Collab, not control.”

He nods. “Relationship, not ownership.”

I sigh, shaking my head.

“But then this isn’t a label anymore.”

“Yeah. You’re right,” he says low. “It’s your home.” A silence crashes down around his grin as his gaze sinks into mine, his eyes tracing my face, refusing to look away first.

Like he’s saying,

You want it? Then fuckin’ take it.

“Okay. Damn,” Ty says, breaking the silence. “That was sexy as hell.”

Linc slaps the back of the couch. “Whatever that was, sign me the fuck up.”

// 11:00 PM //

In my peripheral,

Andrew’s face is animated when he talks to Ty, both of them in sync, laughter leaving them at the same time.

He’s fitting in just fine,

like he’s always belonged in my life.

“No way she went there.” Ty leans sideways, fist shooting to his mouth. “That Allison Taylor?”

Andrew lifts his chin,

bringing his drink to his lips.

I’m standing in the corner of the deck, mid-convo with Kate, when I freeze. “What?”

My eyes drift between Ty, Andrew,

and fucking Gemma.

Ty shakes his head, like—I’m embarrassed to be your friend. “So this is how you’re pulling dudes? Spitting bars in their inbox?”