Lazarus

This room is a lot bigger than I remember, but then again, I could be wrong since I was probably too drunk or high to have a clear memory of the day I was fired.

Five years ago, I was on top of the world.

Five years ago, I was an idiot and let it all slip right through my goddamn fingertips.

But all that changes today. I’m determined to do whatever it takes to get back on top again.

The door opens behind me, and Peter’s secretary steps up next to me with a bottle of water. “Here you go, Mr. Rawlings. Can I get you anything else?”

“That won’t be necessary, Sharon. Laz won’t be here long.” Peter quickly cuts off the niceties, letting me know that my time in his presence is limited.

Sharon takes a couple of steps back and then darts out of the room just as fast as she appeared.

Peter leans back in his tall, imported leather chair and stares at me from across his desk. He hasn’t changed much in the past few years, but he’s definitely not the same man who would put his arm around me and call me one of his best friends. Money and a woman came between us. Peter’s star had been on the rise five years ago, leading him to this moment where he is now the head of Rawlings Records. My star, on the other hand, had quickly plummeted to hell.

He straightens his tie as he locks eyes with me. “Why are you here, Laz? The last time you paid me a visit, I told you there would be no advances on expected royalties.”

Crawling back here two years ago and begging for money after filing for bankruptcy wasn’t exactly the finest hour in my life, but I was desperate. Music is the only thing I’m good at. Finding another job after being one of the biggest names in the music industry was impossible, and I realized in order to get back on track and make a living again I had to get my shit straight. This business is the only thing I know. And that’s why, for the past two years, I have been working on staying clean and sober.

“I’m not here for that, Peter. I’ve come to ask you for a job.”

He raises an eyebrow. “A job? Are you serious? After the shit you pulled the last time I tried to hook you up?”

“That was five years ago, and I wasn’t in my right mind back then.”

“And you’re telling me that you are now?”

I lift my chin. “Yes. I’ve been clean for two years now. I’m ready this time.”

“That’s what you said last time.”

“Last time, I lied. That’s what addicts do. I lied to you because I was lying to myself, telling myself that I could stop everything on my own once I was able to get back to my true passion—music.”

“How do I know history won’t repeat itself, Laz? You cost the label a lot of money by flaking out on shit. You stood up every singer from here to Egypt who wanted to work with you. You’ve been blacklisted. No star in their right mind is going to even entertain the idea of putting their music career in your hands again. Face it, Laz; you’re done as a producer and, most definitely, as a singer. Hell, even the Romeos guys won’t agree to a reunion tour because they’re worried about you screwing them. It’s over.”

“What if it’s not?” I interject. “What if there was a way I could prove to you that I still have what it takes? You know I have the best ear in the business.”

Peter blows a rush of air through his nose. “How?”

A million ideas flit through my brain, but I open my mouth and voice the one that’s calling to me the most, “Let me put together a group like the Romeos again. I’ll groom them, produce their music, and make them stars. I can make this company money again. I just need a shot to prove myself.”

The hesitation in his eyes is unmistakable. I can’t give him the opportunity to say no.

“We were friends once. All I’m asking for is a chance. I know our friendship doesn’t have the best track record, and that’s my fault, but please don’t let that get in the way of our business relationship. You know I can make you money.”

He ponders my proposition quietly for a moment, and then he leans forward in his chair. “Fine, but I have some stipulations of my own.”

Relief floods me, but I leave my face emotionless. I don’t want to give away the fact that, inside, I’m losing my shit because I’ve managed to get myself back into this company. “Such as?”

“This group, for one. I don’t want a Romeos repeat. You were the leader of that group, I get it, but this label put so much money behind it that there was no way it could fail. Hell, even Michael Jackson’s last record didn’t get that many promotional dollars. Your old man no longer runs this company, Laz, so your new group will get minimum marketing. You should make it a female group—something sexy and sellable.”

“Done,” I say with conviction. “Anything else?”

“If this group fails, you sign your royalties over to Rawlings, meaning we will owe you nothing from here on out. No more checks coming to you just because you used to be somebody. And I will personally guarantee you’ll never work in this industry again.”

I swallow hard. While his terms sound harsh, I know, being in his position, he’s taking a huge gamble on giving me this opportunity, so he’s making sure I’ll have something to lose, too.

“Understood. I’ll get right on finding some talent.” I push myself up, and Peter stands and extends his hand to me from over the desk. I firmly grasp his hand, sealing our deal. “You won’t regret this.”

His mouth pulls into a tight line. “I hope not.”

I release his hand. “I’ll be in touch.”

I turn to walk away, but just as I reach the door, Peter’s voice stops me dead in my tracks. “One more thing.”

I turn to face him, and Peter shoves his hand through his thick brown hair. The confident businessman suddenly appears uneasy.

Finally, he sighs, and his eyes meet mine. “No getting involved with the talent. We don’t need another Jenna situation.”

My back stiffens at the mention of her name. “That’s not going to happen.”

He gives me a curt nod. “Good. See that it doesn’t.”

“You’ll have your girl group. We’ll make piles of money, and that will be the end of it.” I hated crawling back here to ask Peter for help, but I had no other choice. Right now, I have to make this work. This is my last shot.