Chapter 72

It was late when another knock came at the door. Pearl and Dylan had fallen asleep on the couch. Pearl picked up a fire poker from the hearth and tip toed to the door. Dylan followed.

She looked through the peephole and saw a large man standing there. "Who are you?" Pearl yelled through the door.

"I'm Jim. I'm here for Rhys."

Pearl opened the door let him in, he stepped back and raised his arms, attempting to take the poker from her. "Sorry! I forgot I had this. I was half awake. Come in." Pearl showed him into the living room.

"Yeah so what the fuck is going on? Who was that chick and who are you?" Dylan cut right to it.

"Ok. Again, I'm Jim. Rhys had hired me in the past for security. This isn't the first issue we have had with the young lady in question."

"I'm sorry. I'm half awake, like I said. Can you please elaborate more?" Pearl felt that was a shitty explanation from him and she deserved more.

"Her name is Briana. Rhys met her on set of a movie 6 years ago. She had a small part. They went out a few times. Nothing serious. She became obsessed with him. Would show up at events he was at, went to his family's house. Threatened his life. He had to completely gut and remodel his condo in LA because she set fire to it, while he was inside."

"Ok. Slow down. So this is an obviously mentally ill person that has committed violent, criminal acts towards him and she's just out, walking around?" Dylan asked it but Pearl was thinking it.

"She was in an institution. But apparently she's out now. We had no idea. So I'm here now and will be with you guys until this is resolved."

"Greeeeaaaat. More attempts on our lives. I don't know about you, Pearl, but I'm investing in a Kevlar suit for any outings we have coming up." Even though he was being sarcastic, it wasn't a bad idea.

They decided to try to get some rest. Tomorrow was a big day. Jim said he would sit up in the chair and keep an eye out while Dylan and Pearl tried to get some sleep.

The next morning, Pearl walked down from the loft and stopped, putting her hand over her mouth and stifling a laugh. She saw Dylan on the couch, laying his head on Jim's shoulder, both cuddled up under a blanket.

She cleared her throat, but after she took a picture.

Dylan woke up and looked over at Jim. "What the..."

They both jumped up and pretended to smooth their clothes. Pearl couldn't stop laughing. "You guys sleep well" she managed to get out.

"Whatever." Dylan walked to the coffee pot.

"We have to head to Epic in 30 minutes. You love birds better get ready to go." Pearl said, checking her phone. Dylan rolled his eyes and slammed his coffee. There were two texts from Rhys asking how she was and telling her good luck with the signing.

They got to the studio in time to meet their attorney out front. John and Blake were already there. "Who's this dude?" Blake asked.

"He's security. A bodyguard. Long story." Pearl didn't want to talk about it. They walked inside and Iris met them in the lobby.

"Hello Iris. Long time no see." John said as they walked in. "Shhhh I'm not supposed to date the artists." Iris whispered.

"Your secret's safe with us." Tony said, smiling. Blake had a gloating smile as he pinched her ass. She shooed him away and walked them to Jason's office.

"Hello, we are in the conference room actually. Can I get you guys anything to drink?"

"We are good. Maybe some waters?" John asked.

They were nervous. It was obvious.

They walked in and there were three other people there they didn't recognize and Jax. He smiled at them and gave them an air bro fist. What a dork, Pearl thought. But a brilliant one.

Jason handled all the introductions and small talk. He handed out a copy of the contract to each other them and their lawyer began making marks.

"Wait. I'm confused already." Pearl interjected before anyone else "So there's a sign on advance to make the first album, then we have to cover the expenses to make the next two and we have to sign for three albums total. But we don't make any profit until the first album makes 15% of the expected profit and then we only get 40% of the total profit for the first album, 50% for the second and 70% of the third?"

"Yes. But the advance isn't only to make the first album, whatever you don't use is yours to keep." Jason said.

"How much is the advance?" Pearl said, flipping through pages, looking for it.

"3 million dollars. You cover your recording, video production and fees for our studio or a recording space of your choosing. We cover all marketing and promotion of the first album."

Pearl looked over at the guys. They looked lost.

Their attorney finally spoke. We are asking for 5 million since my clients will have to hire a guitar player and will need to pay their newly appointed manager. And you pay half of Jax Stark's fees. Also, strike the 15% expectation wait." Pearl decided to just let him do his thing.

After two hours of striking and un-striking, they had a deal.

A 6 million dollar advance, no 15% deal, and they get 80% of the profit for the last album. Paying half of Jax's cost. Also, they agreed to the extra million because pre production recording would be done at Rhys and Pearl's house with only post production and editing done at Epic.

As they walked to their car, Jason caught up to them. "You guys got a helluva deal in there. Your lawyer did a great job. I hope you guys all feel good about it and I hope Rhys does, too. He's a good friend." He said as he gave Pearl a hug.

It was over. They were a signed band. They all got back to hotel and partied their asses off in the lounge. They did so many celebratory shots, the bartenders cut them all off. Pearl and Dylan spent half the night avoiding Jim keeping them in line and the other half keeping tabs on Blake. He had decided to crash a wedding reception going on in one of the conference/dining rooms there and they stopped him just in time before he gave his toast to "smokin hot, ball banging' bride"

She made her way to the bathroom and called Rhys. "Hello? Pearl?" He answered.

"I'm a rockstar. I'm a contracted rock star and now I feel just a little more worthy of you but I'm not. I love you man and I'm just the woman from a small town. Why is this crazy bitch wanting to kill me? Are there more crazy bitches? How many crazy bitches have you dated? I've only had sex with 4 people in my life and you were the second ever. And I am not a crazy bitch, or maybe I am, I don't know." She rambled. "I'm hanging up on you because I don't know who you are and exactly how many women there are so obviously I'm not ever going to be enough for you" and she hung up.

The girl standing next to her at the sink looked over at her. "I fucking told him. He knows what's up now, right?" Pearl said, high-fiving the air as she walked out.

"Pearl! Damn. I thought you went to the wedding too." Dylan said as he met her in the hall by the bathroom.

"We should go swimming! Let's go swimming. We are famous now and they let famous people do anything. I know. I've seen it happen." Pearl said to Dylan.

"Ok fuck it, let's go." He said.

The went back to the pool area and the sign said closed. He tried his room key and the door opened.

"Fuck yes!" Pearl said. Dylan put his finger to his mouth to keep her quiet.

They crept in and Pearl took off everything but her panties and tank top and jumped in. Dylan followed in his boxers. They swam and played. She was having a blast. "Oh my god dude some kid left their diving sticks in here. Let's play the dive game!" Dylan said. Pearl laughed hysterically but was all in. They played and when they both fought for the last one, they came up and Dylan put his arms around her.

Pearl backed up. "I'm sorry, Pearl. I didn't mean it. I was just having fun and in the moment. I'm drunk. I swear to god I didn't mean it."

"It's ok. It's fine." She said. She got out and dried off. He did the same. "I'm really sorry." He said again.

"Seriously it's ok. I understand. Nothing happened. It's fine." She still seemed troubled to Dylan though.

"Ok so what's wrong then?" He asked.

"I'm having some issues with feeling like I'm enough for Rhys. I googled him. I know I shouldn't have."

"No. You shouldn't have. It's like seeing someone's past in real time and having that visual forever. It's not healthy. Technology isn't healthy" Dylan said.

"I know. I just. I'm older than him. And the women he dated before me. I'm just a simple woman."

"Ok so you might be a little older than they were but you are far from simple."

He put his arm around her she put her head on his shoulder. "I don't know what I would do without you, Dylan. You're my best friend."

"You'll never have to find that out." He said.

And then they saw that Jim had found them and they got their clothes and left.