46. Chapter 46

Chapter 46

Willow

Cue the anxiety. I'm at a key planning meeting for the new album and tour. This is when the new music feels close and the reality of other people hearing it sets in. Since this tour is going to be significantly different, I'm excited to get into the details.

"Will, you've been holding out!" Erik says, using the nickname Dexter used.

"I told you I'd bring in more music once I hit the twelve-track mark."

"No, not the music. Tripp! You're little miss Cosmo!"

"Jesus Christ," Claire mumbles under her breath.

"I'm sorry?" Little Miss Cosmo? I could throw up.

"Saw the clips of you in the suite!" I can't hold back my eye roll. "I'm kidding, I'm kidding. Unless you can get me a ticket for the next home game." He winks at me.

"Less talk about Willow's dating life and more about work." Claire literally snaps her fingers.

I badly want this meeting to go my way. Getting a couple tickets for the label wouldn't be a problem.

"I can get some tickets. But yes, let's get to it."

Someone passes out folders and a list of dates shows on the screen at the front of the room.

"What we're thinking is a tour that starts in August of next year. Sixty dates. They are color coordinated to indicate the venue size."

I read the key: Blue - ~5000. Pink - ~2500. Red - ~100 0

I'm not surprised that I'm mostly seeing blue dates. There's also purple, but no key.

"What are the purple dates?"

"Well, those are stadium shows. I know you wanted to keep this small but when we looked at potential revenue, we need some of these to carry the tour."

"This isn't a stadium tour type of album."

"We thought you'd say that, and we think doing extended dates of the tour you just wrapped up would be a surprise. Fans would love it. Plus, it'd bring some hype to the new music," someone from Erik's team says.

There are so many things wrong with what they just said.

"We'll come back to that. Where are the ticket prices?" I ask while making eye contact with Claire. She is already looking for me, knowing this is on the verge of crashing and burning.

They put the ticket prices on the screen. While they're cheaper than the previous tour, it's not by much. One thing is for sure, it's not enough.

"First, why such a late start? I'm set to finish this album in a few weeks. We could announce it and start touring by March of next year. We don't need to wait until August."

"If we look at the ticket schedule for the last tour, it's not that far off."

"This tour is going to be on a much smaller scale. We should need almost no prep time. It's mostly confirming dates with the venues. I want to move it up."

I want to move it up because there's truly no need to wait. There's also a tiny thought of Tripp and his offseason in the back of my mind.

"Why March?" Erik asks like he knows the answer but doesn't want to say .

"Why not? Second, you can take those purple dates and cross them out. I don't want to do them. That tour is over. Done. It's been done for months."

"You won't consider doing any of those--?"

"No. I told you I wanted to do 1,000 capacity or less and since you did such a great job color coordinating, you'll realize there is barely any of those here." I flip back and forth between pages, feeling like I've been slapped in the face considering how little they took what I wanted into account. This time, it's easier going for what I want, considering they did such a horrible job.

"Plus, those ticket prices are absurd. They need to be lower."

"Willow, you're not going to make any money. Especially if we attempt to find smaller venues."

"If finding the venues is the issue, leave that to Emilie." I look to my assistant as she awkwardly waves a hand. "I promise she'll have no issues finding cities and stops." I cross my arms across my chest.

"Let's cut to the chase. I'm disappointed in you, Ricky," Claire says while pointed at Erik. "Willow was clear as glass when she told you what she wanted. You're trying to give her 10% of what she asked and it's going to be a no. Quit with the bullshit."

"I told you. This tour isn't about money. I need you to respect this or I will hold this album for a different label. I'm not in a rush," I jump in on where Claire is taking the conversation.

"Why even tour?" Erik asks.

"To celebrate my new music. To play songs I love in front of fans who love me."

"We all sometimes need a change but you're wanting to completely change a proven formula. Is there any other reason you want to rush the tour? Do the ridiculously small cities?" He looks at me like I'm a child, not smart enough to make my own decisions .

"Because I want to," I say, each word deliberately slow. "We're done here. Everything here is a no, minus the dates in red. If you want Emilie to start finding other spots, let us know."

"Why don't we pick this up tomorrow? We can have lunch," Erik suggests.

"No. I'm busy. Going out of town. And there's not much else to discuss." I don't even take the folder Erik's team gave me. I know Emilie has hers and it's mostly trash anyways. I grab my peppermint tea and get to the door before turning back.

"Oh, and Erik? I'll make sure those tickets for the Cosmos home game get to you. I said I would, and I know the importance of follow-through."

Claire whistles in surprise. Emilie laughs and covers her mouth. I pretend like I'm not going to sweat about this comment all the way home.

My bags are packed, and I'm waiting for Tripp to pick me up. No matter how horrendous the label meeting was, nothing is going to put a damper on my good mood.

Tripp's driving the two of us and my security details will follow in their own car. He's adamant security won't be necessary, but Seth is relentless. My security promised to stay out of the way unless it's needed.

There's a knock on the door, and I practically skip to let Tripp in. When he sees me, he picks me up and spins me around while giving me a kiss. Some moments with Tripp feel like I'm living inside a movie, one I'd pay to see again and again .

"Let's get this road trip started. I have the snacks covered. Also made a little treat bag for our security friends, including crossword puzzles, because they're going to be remarkably bored this weekend."

Weekend. A whole weekend. Me and Tripp. He grabs my bags, and we walk to the car.

"Where are we going?" Tripp has been secretive on where his hometown is.

"A little spot in Maine," he answers elusively but still with more information than he'd offered up until this point.

Maine. Wouldn't have guessed.

"How long is the drive?" I poke him for more details.

"Probably seven hours." He opens my door.

We're buckled in the Tesla, and Tripp hits something on the screen to get the navigation started.

"Are you ready?" he asks me, wearing a smile that makes his eyes shine.

"Born ready." I smirk back.

He meets his mouth to mine, surprising me with a quick kiss. He puts one hand on the nape of my neck, pulling me to him.

"I've never shown this to anyone. It's like telling your best friend a secret you've kept for years."

My chest warms at the sentiment. This man is ridiculously excited. Whenever I think about Tripp's lack of relationships, I'm surprised. Tripp is truly a romantic.

I wouldn't have it any other way.