Page 64 of Love Unwritten
“Maybe, but it’s also right.”
I’ve tried to contact a few lawyers before, but everyone had the same response.
I’m not the right fit for this case.
After the third time being turned down, I’ve started to lose hope about ever receiving credit or royalties for my songs. Now, if Cole can help connect me to someone, it’s at least worth following up on, even if it leads to another dead end.
“What kind of person?” I ask.
“The best lawyer in the industry, who would have no issue going after someone as popular as her.”
“I didn’t think it was possible.”
“It could be.”
“But let me guess—you’ll only help me if I help you.” A hint of bitterness comes out, surprising us both.
He shakes his head. “Contrary to what people might say about me, I’m not an asshole. If you want the lawyer’s contact information, then I’ll pass it along. No strings attached.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.”
“Prove it.”
He pulls his phone out of his pocket, unlocks it, and taps at the screen. Ten seconds later, my phone buzzes with a new message. I double-check the text just in case.
“Still don’t trust me?” He smirks.
My grip on my phone tightens. “I’ve been burned once before.”
“I understand.”
“Thanks.” I fight to get the word out with how tight my throat feels.
“No problem. It’s the least I could do after you agreed to meet me and hear me out. If you change your mind about writing the song, shoot me a text.” He tips his chin in my direction before taking off toward Main Street, leaving me with a heavy feeling in my chest that doesn’t go away.
Willow bolts from her couch. “What do you mean Cole Griffin offered you a job and you said no? Are you crazy?”
“She’s just boring like the rest of this town.” Lorenzo looks up from his cell phone for the first time all afternoon, finally gracing us with his attention. Having him present for this conversation wasn’t my smartest decision, but I’m desperate for someone else’s opinion. Willow and my parents are the only people I’ve told about Ava’s betrayal.
I flip him off. With a shrug, he returns to tapping at his phone screen, ignoring Willow shooting daggers at him. I thought he might be able to offer insight into my issue with Ava, but clearly that isn’t the case.
Willow’s gaze softens when it swings toward me. “You have to call him and ask if the offer is still on the table. Like right now before he changes his mind or finds someone else.”
“No.”
“Why not?”
Truth is, the more I consider Cole’s offer, the more I want to accept it…or at least I do until fear comes knocking again, reminding me all about my past.
“I haven’t written a full song in a year,” I say instead.
“You haven’t had a good reason to,” she replies.
“What if I was a one-hit wonder?”
“Technically, you had fourteen hits and three songs that went triple platinum, so that’s not possible,” Lorenzo says without looking up.