Chapter Twenty-One
Silas
The week went by in a disappointed blur. I called up Garren on Monday only to be told that he was away. His secretary asked me to call him back the following week and took my details down in case. I felt dejected, even though Riley kept telling me that there was nothing to worry about. Garren had seemed pretty sure on the night that he wanted to sign me and had asked me to call him back. He hadn’t mentioned a word about going away, and I was starting to think that his secretary was only saying that because he had changed his mind about me. I was almost certain that he didn’t want to sign me up at all anymore.
“He probably had too much to drink that night, you know. I never thought about that before, but maybe he was just drunk when he gave me his card or something. He probably woke up the next morning with massive regrets. I’m such an idiot,” I said to Riley later on that week.
She shook her head and sighed. “Or, you know, maybe he really did just go away. Not everyone plans their trips like we would. Some people really do get whisked away on business at the last minute. I’m sure he would’ve just told you if he changed his mind. People in that business are pretty cutthroat, you know? I doubt he would be avoiding you. If he didn’t like you, he would just tell you. I think you’re looking into this far too much.”
“Yeah, maybe,” I said. “How about we forget about it, and I take you out for a milkshake? I feel like drowning my sorrows in chocolate milk.”
She laughed. “Maybe you should be sad more often then. Chocolate milkshakes sound great.”
And that was how I spent most of my week. One of the construction sites I was working on had to be put on hold because of some electrical issue, and Gary had asked me to come in only on Friday again. I, therefore, had very little to do except fluctuate between emotions regarding the record deal and spending time with Riley. When I was with her, I barely thought about my problems. And when I did voice them, she always made me feel better. It was only when I was without her that I worried and stressed. And, despite my fears, I ended up having a great week because of her. We spent a lot of time together, flirting, talking, and just having a good time. It still amazed me just how easy she was to get along with and how much I enjoyed being in her company.
When Friday rolled around, I made my way back to work, thinking that it was just a week before that Riley had come home with the news that she had gotten a gig for me. I’d been so excited at the news. Now, as I looked up at the building where Gary had his office, I couldn’t help but feel disappointed. I was good at construction work. I was good at managing people on the site. Gary had told me this, and so had the other guys that I’d worked with. Not only that, but I knew myself that I was good at it. And yet, I simply couldn’t get excited about it. It was a good, stable, decent job that would give me job security and money. But it didn’t make me feel the way I felt up on stage, singing my songs to an audience. Now that I had gotten even a small taste of what it was like to have people cheering my name and wanting to hear more, I didn’t ever want it to stop. I was desperate and hungry for more. But was I too desperate? Had Garren been pulling my leg?
My head felt like it was about to explode as I made my way to Gary’s office. Just before I entered, I took a deep breath and plastered a big smile on my face. Gary didn’t need to know about my problems. He was a good boss, and he deserved all the respect in the world.
“Silas, good to see you. I’m so sorry about the mess-up this week. One simple task that couldn’t be done on time and the whole project came to a halt. Sit down, sit down.”
“No problem at all, Gary,” I said as I sat down. “It was out of your hands, anyway. So, is everything okay now?”
“As good as it can be. But yeah, it’s good enough to get everyone back on the site again. I just feel bad that everyone was out of work this week, but never mind, we’re back on track. I’m glad you came in to see me early. I have a few things I wanted to talk to you about.”
I gulped. I had a feeling he was going to bring up the site manager position again. There had been a lot of rumors going around, and everyone was telling me that I was going to be asked soon. I’d been glad for the break this week just so that I could get my head straight about it. But I still wasn’t sure what I wanted to do.
“I’ve heard rumors,” I said.
He laughed. “I swear, it’s like a soap opera around here sometimes. People love to talk. They just can’t help themselves. Well, then I’m sure you know what I’m about to ask you. The position is officially open, and I would really like you to take the spot. I hope you’ve given it some serious thought. What do you say?”
I was just about to speak when both my phone and Gary’s phone rang at the same time. We both laughed. “I’m just going to step outside,” I said while he reached for his phone and I did the same for mine. I quickly hurried out to the hallway to answer a call from a number I didn’t recognize.
“Hello, Silas speaking,” I said.
“Silas!” The voice boomed. “I’m glad I got you. It’s Garren. Garren Knead. I am so sorry about not being here this week—one of those last-minute things—but when I called my secretary, she said that you had called. One of my meetings got canceled this morning, so I figured I’d give you a shout. How are you?”
“I . . . I’m good,” I stammered. “Uh, thanks for calling me back.” I had no idea what to say. Was he contacting me with good news or bad news?
“Look, I don’t have much time to talk. But I wanted to talk to you before anyone else did. It’s happened to me before where I’ve taken too long to get back to someone, and another agent snapped them up, and I won’t let that happen with you.”
“You’re still interested?” I asked. I was not sounding nearly as cool as I would’ve liked, but I couldn’t help myself. Hopefully he was used to dealing with first-timers, and hopefully, they were all bumbling idiots in the beginning.
“Of course I am. Now, here’s the deal. I want to work with you, and I want to sign you. In fact, I want us to move soon on all of this. I don’t believe in wasting time. I’d like to record an album with you.”
I held onto the wall for support. I couldn’t believe what he was he telling me. Even though I’d been hoping for this news ever since he’d handed me his card, I’d been too afraid to really admit it. I’d been gearing myself up for failure just in case.
“An album?” I choked. I took a deep breath. I really needed to pull myself together otherwise he was going to change his mind. “That sounds amazing,” I said.
“Wonderful! Now, I’m actually not based near you, as you can see from the details on the card, so I’m going to need you to move to us so that we put this album together.”
“Move?”
“It doesn’t have to be permanent, but just while we record this album. Don’t worry; I’ll make sure you are all set up. Anyway, I have to go, but I’m going to get my secretary to call you this soon to make arrangements. I’m looking forward to doing business with you, Silas. Can I just ask if we officially have a deal?”
“Oh, we most definitely have a deal,” I said.
I walked back into the office feeling dazed. Gary was finished with his phone call and was looking at me strangely. I could only imagine how shocked I looked at that moment.
“Everything okay?” he asked as I took a seat.
I nodded. “Uh, yeah. Just . . . well, I just got some news.”
“I can’t tell from the look on your face if that’s good news or bad news.”
“It’s good news. It’s just . . . well, I guess I just never thought this day would come. I sang at a pub last Saturday, and there was an agent there.”
Gary smiled. “Silas Aarons, are you going to tell me that an agent finally snapped you up?”
I grinned. As the shock began to wear off, I finally allowed myself to feel excited. I nodded enthusiastically.
“Yeah. That was him now. He wants to sign me. Not just that, but he wants me to move to come and stay near him while I record an album. It’s all happening so fast. Well, I suppose it’s not really fast. I’ve been working on this for years, but I just still can’t believe it’s happening.”
Gary whistled. “Wow, Silas. I’m so happy for you. So, I take it that’s a no to my offer then?”
I looked at him apologetically but was pleased to see him laugh.
“I’m sorry,” I started to say.
“Sorry? Don’t worry, Silas. You’re great at this, and we love you here, but you’ve always had this dream, and you have to go after it. We can always find someone else. I have a list of guys that want this job. You were great at this, but your heart was never truly in it.”
I smiled sadly. “That’s true. I always wanted to like it more than I did. And I loved you guys.”
“Well, I’m sad to hear that you’re going to be leaving, but I want you to know that we will always have a job for you if you need one. I still think you’d make a great project manager, so if things don’t work out or you don’t end up enjoying it, then you must just come straight back to me. Okay?”
I nodded gratefully at him. Coming back was the last thing I wanted to do, but it was nice of him to ask me anyway. I smiled.
“Absolutely. Look, I’m happy to still work today. Or until I leave.”
“I’m sure you’re far too excited to work today. Also, I think you should be celebrating, not working. Go on and talk to the guys, and then head home. You deserve to go and enjoy yourself.”
“You sure?”
“Of course I’m sure. Now, you won’t forget us when you become famous, will you?”
I laughed. “I doubt I’ll become famous. But if I do, I’ll write a song about you all.”
He chuckled. “I like the sound of that. Thanks for everything you’ve done for us, Silas.”
I walked out the office feeling overwhelmed by everything. My heart was beating fast as I made my way over the guys. I was excited, and grateful for this huge opportunity. But I couldn’t help but feel sad that I was going to have to leave Riley behind for a while. I didn’t want to be without her, but I had to go off to pursue my dream. She’d want me to, anyway. It just wasn’t going to be easy saying goodbye.