Between Never and Forever

by Shain Rose

But here, in front of him, I was just a human, and a vulnerable one at that. “I can’t do that,” I told him quietly as I shook my head. His stare hardened. “Still chasing that fame then?” “That’s not—” I took a breath so I didn’t fall down the hole of pain and fury with him. “I have contingencies in my contract. I don’t care about the fame, but the time and money are valuable.” He chuckled and rubbed his five o’clock shadow. “Money and time? You’re here for six months, and we’re paying you plenty.” I hated that he acted like he knew everything. “You’re paying my record label plenty, sure.” “So, what? You want a few more shoes in your closet?” He looked me up and down. “Fine. I’ll double it.” “Double it?” I squeaked. “Not good enough? Triple it. What do I care? And it can be outside the label’s contract so you can keep it all to yourself.” That money would let me pay for my mother’s care for years and give me an opportunity to do what I wanted for once. I’d be free finally. Still, the deal was too good to be true. I, more than anyone, knew what that looked like now. I stepped back and shook my head. “They won’t agree. They need me to look like I’m going to marry someone. They want the publicity. Without the engagement, there’s no story and—” “Then you get engaged to me.” “What?” I hadn’t heard him right, surely. “Get engaged to me. Give them the story of a lifetime.”

She needs the money.. not the record label..