The Second Song #5: Breaking Free

Arriving back in Louisiana doesn't bring Elise the peace that she thought it would. Khir is stranded back in Indonesia and Avery is distracted and distant. She is taking a huge risk trying to move her career in a new musical direction and her record label is less than supportive... SNEAK PEEK! “Elise, you promised not to do this.” Max ran his hand through his hair in frustration. “I lied.” “Reid, I’ve been making money hand over fist for this label for a decade. I have nine platinum albums, an armload of Grammys, and a truckload of other awards. I’ve made you millions. You owe me a modicum of creative influence.” “Elise, sweetheart, I know you think you’re ready for that, but you’re just not.” In that moment, I realized nothing would ever change. They would always see me as a child to be manipulated. But I was done. It was time to make the break and go it alone. Avery was right, they pushed me too far one too many times. “I will never be ready if my label and my manager refuse to listen to me. You look at me and you see that little girl from the swamp, but she’s long gone boys. You hear my accent and you see blonde hair, blue eyes and big tits. You make the assumption that means there’s nothing but an empty head upstairs. You couldn’t be more wrong.” “Elise.” “No Reid, this is my meeting and I will say what needs saying. It’s long past the time for me to speak my mind. I will do this last pop album with three conditions. The album cover has to be redesigned. I will not put this piece of crap out there. I will do one, four month tour for this album and that is it.” “We talked about this Elise, you promised, three months on, three months off,” Max said. “I’ve changed my mind. The last condition is this, when I am done with this short tour, I will get back in the studio and do my next album my way. And you two can get on board and at least hear me out before you say no.” “Is that all?” Reid frowned. “Yes. ” “I will concede on the album cover because you have earned some seniority, but that is all I can do for you sweetheart.” His tone was so condescending I wanted to puke. “Then I am afraid we are done.”