Page 77 of Ravaged By Lust

“You might also know me for the little band I’m part of. Chloe was meant to be in said band as an original member until I sabotaged her chances for a petty reason. A real petty reason that wasn’t worth the fucking time or effort. But she’s spent the last seven years honing her craft behind closed doors like a true genius. The girl practically picked up a guitar as a child and was already a prodigy. You might think that she’s choked up in front of you today, but I’ve seen her perform before. If you want any evidence of her skill, I can show you right now.”

I point behind me at the boardroom’s screen mounted on the wall that’s usually used for boring-ass stock presentations or some shit, but today I’ve utilized it for a different purpose.

And these stiff suits are about to find out.

I press a button on my phone that sends a text message to Lucas – who is on the other side of the city - and immediately he flies into action. He’s been waiting for my signal.

The screen lights up under my manager’s remote command. The virtuoso himself takes control.

And the screen starts to play a video taken from my phone the other night.

I sneak a glance back at Chloe as she stares at herself singing Landslide at the karaoke bar, unknowing that I was filming her.

I took my love, I took it down

I climbed a mountain

and I turned around

And I saw my reflection

in the snow-covered hills

‘Til the landslide brought me down

There’s silence as everyone watches my recording.

They must see and hear how damn good she is. It’s undeniable.

Chloe must see it for herself as well. She stands by the door and watches along in stunned immobility.

I wait until past Chloe has finished singing that verse when I stop the video and I turn back to the boardroom.

“Have you seen a better cover of Landslide?” I ask the room. “Have you seen such talent? So how about you give her one last chance to prove herself? How does that sound?” I then turn to Chloe still standing in the doorway. These next words, even though I’m saying them in public, are for her ears only. “I am sorry, Chloe. For everything. For sabotaging your dreams. For being the biggest idiot in the world. If I could, I’d go back in time and tell my teenage self that I’m going to lose the love of my life for one stupid act of retaliation, and that it’s not worth it. I wish I could take it all back. I may be in the biggest band on the planet, but I’ve lost. I lost you once, and I am never going to lose you again. I am definitely not cooler than you.”

Chloe opens her mouth to speak, but I interrupt her.

“Get your ass back up here and sing, Chloe. Show these guys what you can do.”

She closes her mouth, finally understanding everything. What I’m doing.

I pray to God that she does what I ask her to do, otherwise I’m going to look like the biggest idiot in the fucking world.

But then she steps forward. Back in front of the room. She lowers her guitar into her hands as I brush past her, giving her space to perform. We don’t say a word to each other.

We don’t need to.

And she starts to continue singing Landslide.

Well, I’ve been afraid of changin’

‘Cause I’ve built my life around you

But time makes you bolder

Even children get older

And I’m getting older too