Pretty Baby

Chapter 11

I'm in the zone, fingers dancing across the fretboard of my guitar, when Xavier bursts into the studio like a hurricane in an expensive suit. I ignore him, focusing on the melody that's been haunting me for days. It's almost there, just out of reach, and I'll be damned if I let Xavier's dramatics derail me now.

"Zac!" Xavier shouts, waving a magazine in the air like a flag of surrender. "Zac, you've got to see this!"

I sigh, letting the final chord ring out. "What is it this time, Xav? Did they finally make a pill for your particular brand of crazy?"

Xavier's too excited to take offense. He slaps the magazine down on my mixing board, nearly knocking over my half-empty coffee mug. "It's the Rolling Stone article, Zac. It's out."

My stomach does a little flip, but I keep my face neutral. "Oh yeah? And how bad is it? Should I start packing for my new life as a hermit in the mountains?"

Xavier's grin widens. "Bad? Dude, it's fucking incredible. Taylor Shea wrote a goddamn love letter to you and your music."

I raise an eyebrow, reaching for the magazine. "Taylor Shea? The same Taylor Shea who spent half our interview trying to get into my pants, and the other half looking like she wanted to murder me?"

"The very same," Xavier nods, practically bouncing on his toes. "Apparently, you made quite an impression."

I flip open the magazine, scanning the article. My eyes widen as I read. Xavier wasn't exaggerating. It's glowing. Taylor describes my music as ‘raw, honest, and utterly captivating’. She calls me a ‘true artist in a world of manufactured rock stars’ and predicts that my upcoming album will be ‘a game-changer for the industry’.

"Holy shit," I mutter, looking up at Xavier. "Did you pay her off or something?"

Xavier laughs, shaking his head. "Nope, this is all you, buddy. She even mentions your 'rugged charm and quick wit'. Her words, not mine."

I laugh, tossing the magazine aside. "Well, I guess there's no accounting for taste."

Xavier's smile falters. "Come on, man. This is huge. Do you have any idea what this kind of press can do for your career?"

I pick up my guitar again, strumming absently. "Yeah, I do. It means more pressure, more expectations. More people waiting for me to fuck up so they can tear me down."

Xavier sighs, collapsing into the armchair in the corner of the studio. "Jesus, Zac. Can't you just enjoy a win for once? Think of it as Taylor Swift Eras Tour money."

I look at him, really look at him. Behind the expensive suit and the slick manager persona, I can see the guy who's been in my corner for years. The guy who's put up with my bullshit and believed in me when no one else did.

"You're right," I say finally. "This is good. Thanks for bringing it by."

Xavier's face lights up. "That's more like it! Now, we need to capitalize on this. I'm thinking a fucking gigantic tour, and some exclusive interviews -"

"Whoa, slow down there, cowboy," I interrupt. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves. I've still got an album to finish, remember?"

Xavier nods, but I can see the wheels turning in his head. "Right, right. The album. How's that coming along, by the way?"

I gesture to the mess of papers and equipment surrounding me. "It's coming. Slowly, but surely."

"Can I hear something?" Xavier asks, leaning forward eagerly.

I hesitate. The songs are still raw, unfinished. But Xavier's excitement is contagious, and after the high of that article, I'm feeling generous.

"Alright," I say, adjusting my guitar. "But remember, it's still a work in progress."

The demo of Liar that I've been working on all morning flows from my fingers. The lyrics come unbidden, a story of love and loss, of finding hope in unexpected places.

As I play the song for Xavier, I think about Jade and Penny, about the life we're building together. I think about all the mistakes I've made, all the bridges I've burned. And I think about how, somehow, I've been given another chance.

When the song ends, there's a moment of silence. I look up to see Xavier staring at me, his eyes wide.

"Fuck me," he whispers. "Chloe, that's... that's incredible… but come on, man. Could this one be anymore about Chloe?"

I shrug, feeling suddenly self-conscious. "It's not finished yet. Still needs work."

Xavier shakes his head. "No man, it's perfect. I’m just saying, just like Taylor said. This is exactly what the fans want to hear."

I turn the volume down, reaching for my coffee. "Yeah, well, the fans don't always know what's best for them."

Xavier leans back in his chair, studying me. "What's going on, Zac? You've got a rave review in Rolling Stone, you're writing some of the best music of your career, and you're acting like someone pissed in your cornflakes."

I take a long sip of coffee, letting it calm me. "It's just... it's a lot, you know? All this attention, all these expectations. What if I can't live up to it?"

Xavier's face softens. "Zac, you've been exceeding expectations your whole career, even those weird MySpace years that got you discovered. Why stop now?"

I chuckle, but there's no humor in it. "Because now I've got something to lose. I've got Penny, this life I’m building. What if success fucks all that up?"

Xavier stands, crossing the room to put a hand on my shoulder. "Listen to me, man. You're not the same guy you were before. You're not going to sabotage this. And Penny? You’re her entire world. She's not going anywhere."

I nod, wanting to believe him. "Yeah, maybe you're right."

"Of course, I'm right," Xavier grins. "I'm always right. Now, how about we celebrate this Rolling Stone triumph with a drink? A real drink. Not this swill you keep in here."

I glance at the clock on the wall. It's barely noon. "Isn't it a little early for that?"

Xavier's grin widens. "It's five o'clock somewhere, my friend. Besides, we've got a lot to celebrate."

I hesitate for a moment, then shrug. "What the hell. Lead the way, Xav."

As we head out of the studio, I cast one last glance at my guitar. The song is still there, waiting to be finished. But for now, maybe it's okay to take a break. To enjoy this moment of success. After all, who knows how long it will last?

~ ~ ~

The bar Xavier chooses is upscale and pretentious, all sleek lines and overpriced cocktails. It's not my usual scene, but Xavier insists it's ‘good for my image’. Whatever that means.

We settle into a booth in the corner, and Xavier orders a bottle of champagne. I raise an eyebrow at him.

"Champagne? Really? What happened to a good old-fashioned whiskey?"

Xavier rolls his eyes. "We're celebrating, Zac. Try to act like it."

The champagne arrives, and Xavier pours us each a glass. He raises his in a toast. "To Zac Fulton, the tortured artist who's finally getting his due."

I clink my glass against his, but I can't shake the unease that's been building since we left the house. "You really think this article is going to change things?"

Xavier nods enthusiastically. "Absolutely. Rolling Stone is still the gold standard for music journalism. A review like this? It's going to open doors, Zac. Big doors."

I take a sip of champagne, wincing at the bubbles. "And what if I don't want those doors opened?"

Xavier sets his glass down, fixing me with a serious look. "Zac, I know you're scared. Success can be just as terrifying as failure. But you can't keep running from it forever."

I lean back in the booth, studying the bubbles rising in my glass. "I'm not running. I'm just... cautious. I've been here before, X. The hype, the expectations. It never ends well."

"This time is different," Xavier insists. "You're different. You've got stability now, with Penny. You're writing from a place of truth, not just anger and self-destruction."

I want to argue, but I know he's right. The songs I'm writing now are different. They're not just about pain and loss anymore. They're about hope, about second chances. About love.

"Maybe you're right," I concede. "But let's not get ahead of ourselves. The album's not even finished yet."

Xavier grins, sensing victory. "But it will be. And when it is, it's going to blow people away. Just like that song you played for me earlier."

I feel a flush of pride at his words, quickly followed by a wave of guilt. "That song... it's not really meant for public consumption. It's personal."

Xavier leans forward, his eyes gleaming. "Zac, that's exactly why it needs to be on the album. It's real, it's raw. It's you."

I shake my head. "I don't know, X. Putting that out there... it feels like I'm exposing too much. Being too honest."

"Isn't that what art is supposed to do?" Xavier challenges. "Expose the truth, no matter how uncomfortable it might be?"

I don't have an answer for that. Instead, I drain my champagne glass, grimacing at the taste. "Can we order some real alcohol now?"

Xavier laughs, signaling the waiter. "Fine, fine. But don't think this conversation is over."

As Xavier orders us a round of whiskey, I find my thoughts drifting back to the studio, to the unfinished song. Maybe he's right. Maybe putting it out there is exactly what I need to do. Or maybe it's the biggest mistake I could make.

The whiskey arrives, and I welcome the familiar burn. Xavier raises his glass again. "To taking risks and reaping the rewards."

I clink my glass against his, but I can't shake the feeling that I'm standing on the edge of a cliff, about to take a leap into the unknown.

As we drink, Xavier starts outlining his plans for promoting the album. He's talking about talk show appearances, a small club tour, maybe even a documentary before the new album comes out. It all sounds exhausting.

"Slow down, X," I interrupt. "Let's focus on finishing the album first, okay?"

Xavier nods, but I can see the excitement in his eyes. "Of course, of course. But we need to be ready. This could be your big comeback, Zac. We can't waste the opportunity."

I sigh, swirling the whiskey in my glass. "Is it really a comeback if I never really went away?"

Xavier fixes me with a serious look. "Man, you know as well as I do that the music industry has a short memory. You've been out of the spotlight for a while. This is your chance to remind everyone why they fell in love with your music in the first place."

I nod, not trusting myself to speak. He's right, of course. It's been years since my last album, years spent wrestling with writer's block and my own demons. But now, with Jade and Penny in my life, the music is flowing again. It's different, softer in some ways, but no less honest.

"Alright," I say finally. "But we do this my way, okay? No bullshit. No manufactured drama. Just the music."

Xavier grins, raising his glass. "Wouldn't have it any other way, my friend. But I have something to tell you. I've got news that's going to blow your mind." Xavier grins.

I sigh, setting my drink aside. "You know I don’t love these kinds of surprise drops of information."

Xavier waves off my complaint. "Trust me, this is worth it."

Now he's got my attention. I lean back in the booth, eyeing him skeptically. "Alright, I'll bite. What's got you so worked up?"

Xavier takes a deep breath, like he's savoring the moment. "You, my friend, are going to play Red Rocks."

For a moment, I'm sure I've misheard him. "Red Rocks? As in, Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado? That Red Rocks?"

Xavier nods, his grin widening. "The one and only. I've been working on this for months, keeping it under wraps until everything was finalized. But it's official now. You're headlining Red Rocks in a few months."

I feel like I've been hit by a truck. Red Rocks has been my dream venue since I was a kid sneaking listens to my dad's live albums recorded there. The Beatles played there. Hendrix played there. And now... me?

"Holy shit," I mutter, running a hand through my hair. "Xavier, this is... I don't even know what to say."

Xavier laughs, clearly pleased with my reaction. "You don't have to say anything. Just start preparing. This is going to be the biggest show of your career."

As the reality of the situation starts to sink in, I feel a mix of excitement and terror wash over me. "Just another responsibility to put together a show worthy of Red Rocks."

Xavier's expression turns serious. "I know it's a tight timeline, but I believe in you, Zac. This is your chance to show the world what you're really capable of."

I nod, my mind already racing with possibilities. "We're going to need a killer setlist. Maybe some new arrangements of the old stuff. And the new album... shit, we need to finish the new album."

Xavier holds up his hands. "One thing at a time, rockstar. Let's start with the basics. I've got a team ready to help with the logistics. Sound, lighting, all that stuff. You just focus on the music."

I stand up, suddenly feeling too antsy to sit still. "I need to tell Jade. And Penny... God, I hope they can come to the show."

Xavier smiles softly. "Already taken care of. I've booked flights and accommodations for both of them. They wouldn't miss this for the world."

I feel a lump form in my throat. Sometimes I forget how well Xavier knows me, how much he cares beyond just being my manager. "Thanks, X. Really."

He claps me on the shoulder. "Don't mention it. Let’s get out of here."