Page 70 of Doc Rock
“Sounds like it,”Donnie confirmed when Ford didn’t say anything.“Sie, if you’re happy with that, I’llgeta contract to you for it.”
Sie stared wide-eyed around the room and blurted,“I’ve got more songs. Some won’t suit Midnight Thunder as a band, but a few of Donnie’s singers would be ideal for them.”
“You know who all my clients are?” Donnie questioned.
Sie blushed.“Yeah. We have the internet in Burra Creek.”
Donnie laughed.“I wasn’t implying you didn’t, it’s just a very specific thing to Google. Who were you thinking of?”
She put the guitar down and picked up her notebook, walking over to the kitchen counter.
Ford followed her over without hesitation and glared at Donnie when he went to stand next to Sie. Their manager gave him a sly smile and stepped aside so Fordcouldstand beside her.
He stood so close that hefeltthe heat of her body andnoticedwhen she shifted fractionally toward him.It wassubtle, but that was always how things had been between them. When they were close, they naturally gravitated together.
The four men crowded around her notebook, as Scotty and Joel had joined them too.
Sie flicked through the pages, then pointed.“This first one. It’s sweet and pretty. It’s for someone young who hasn’t seen much of life yet. I was thinking Calla. Her voice would be perfect for this, and she’s got that innocent vibe.”
“She is not innocent.”Joel guffawed and high-fived Scotty, who also laughed.
“Ewww, you are both way too old for her. Don’t be stereotypical dirty old men,”Sie admonished, much to Ford’s amusement.
She went through her entire notebook, jotting down on the top of each song who they should be assigned to, and when she was finished, Midnight Thunder had twelve new songs.
“I’ll go through my other books andseewhat else I have,”Sie said.
Ford stared at her.“You have more than this? You said you hadn’t written much.”
Sie shrugged.“Yeah. I guess it’s more than I realised. I’ve got another ten books at home.”
“The music never left you,”Ford murmured, his eyes locking onto hers.
“Even though I left it,”Sie said softly, gazing back.
“Holy crap. Are you kidding me right now?”Donnie was elated.“Fuck. You’ve got a treasure trove of work, all waiting for my artists. This is literally the best news I’ve had all year.”
“Better than finding out I was alive?”Sie said dryly, but she didn’t break eye contact with Ford.
Donnie chuckled.“Obviously, that was number one. This is a close second.”
“What about Ford’s announcement that he’ll tour again?”Joel raised an eyebrow.
“That’s probably number three.”Donnie slapped Ford on the back, making him jolt forward and break eye contact with Sie.
“I’m not touring with Ryan, though,”Ford said firmly.
“That won’t be a problem,”Donnie replied.
Ford shook his head.“How won’t it be a problem? We can’t tour as Midnight Thunder if we dump one of our members. Even if he wasn’t one of the originals, he has a contract.”
“Well, about that…“ Donnie said slowly.
Ford’s eyes swung to their manager.“What?”
Donnie cleared his throat a few times.“He only ever signed a contract as a sessional musician. A very well-paid one, so he nevernoticed. But written into his contract is that you three can drop him whenever you want, and he has no legal recourse. No rights to Midnight Thunder’s music. No rights for any financial compensation after he leaves.”
Ford blinked in surprise.“What?”
