Read The Second Song #1: Homecoming for Free Online Page B

representation of you, but back home everyone’s calling it a PR stunt. No one believes you’re this back-woods beauty with the sweet love story."
    "Well, I don’t care what they believe. I did the interview to get rid of the reporters who were scarin’ my gran half to death. It worked, they all left town."
    "More will come, Elise. You know that."
    "I know." I sighed. "Next time, I’ll deal with it better."
    "I think it’s best if you come home to L.A. for the rest of the summer so I can keep an eye on you."
    "Max, I’m a grown woman; I don’t need to be supervised. There is no way in hell I’m leaving right now."
    "I had to beg you to come here and now you’ve got me begging you to leave. Sounds like a stubborn child to me."
    "I’ve been writing songs Max. Good ones. I’m happy here and I just want the remaining two months to finish working’ on this album."
    "Elise, you leave the song writing to the professionals and let me worry about the content of your next album. I’ve purchased the rights to a dozen songs I think you’ll like. They’re not too out there, but the music is a little edgier."
    "It’s not enough Max. I won’t do another pop album." I shook my head stubbornly.
    "You will do it because your contract with the label says you’ll do it! Now enough of this Elise, it’s time to get your head out of the clouds and accept what is. You’re a pop star and you’re never going to make the crossover into another genre of music. You’ve got a few years left at best and you need to make the most of them!"
    "And when I’m too old to be a pop star. What then Max?" I snapped.
    "You come back home to your swamp and marry that boy you love and live happily ever after."
    "And my music? When do I get to play my music Max?"
    "Elise, you have a great voice, you have the face and the body this industry loves, but you don’t have the skills for anything else," he said harshly.
    "You let me play my new songs and then you say that to me again."
    "Elise, we don’t have time for your childish temper tantrums. You come back to L.A. and do your next album like the label wants and they might not sue you for breach of contract."
    "They can’t sue me because I don’t want to sing their music," I said, completely aware of how naive I sounded as soon as I said it.
    "They will take everything you have, it just isn't possible."
    "I’ll make you a deal, but you have to promise me a few things," I finally said when I knew I’d never get him to listen otherwise.
    "Make your points." He sighed wearily.
    "I will come back to L.A. and record the next album and I will go on tour and dance as I am obligated to do."
    "And what part of my soul will I have to sell to get your cooperation?"
    "You leave me and Avery alone for these next two months. Take the entourage back to L.A. and keep the press off my back."
    "And?"
    "Avery is now and will forever be, off limits and none of your business."
    "And?"
    "I want a shorter tour this time - no more performing all across the world ten months out of the year."
    "And?"
    "When I’ve finished the pop album, you’ll listen to my new songs and consider making a slow progressive change to the kind of music that defines Elise Leroux. After my contract is up that's my pop career over. At least there will be something for me to transition to."
    "If I agree, I have some demands of my own."
    "Name your points." I sighed, hating this stupid game of negotiation.
    "No complaining. If I agree to this, I don’t want to hear your constant diatribe, criticizing every decision I make for you."
    "If you will consider allowing me to be a part of those decisions." I countered. "At least let me know when things about my life and career are being discussed."
    "I also want you to publicly reunite with Silas. Your fans are collectively devastated over the breakup."
    "No, that’s a deal breaker. I won’t do that to Avery. My love life is my business and no one else’s. I will still make a cameo in Silas’