Musical Artist

Emmy Reese Musical Artist First published by Emmy Reese 2023 Copyright © 2023 by Emmy Reese All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise without written permission from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or distribute it by any other means without permission. This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental. Emmy Reese asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work. Emmy Reese has no responsibility for the persistence or accuracy of URLs for external or third-party Internet Websites referred to in this publication and does not guarantee that any content on such Websites is, or will remain, accurate or appropriate. Designations used by companies to distinguish their products are often claimed as trademarks. All brand names and product names used in this book and on its cover are trade names, service marks, trademarks and registered trademarks of their respective owners. The publishers and the book are not associated with any product or vendor mentioned in this book. None of the companies referenced within the book have endorsed the book. First edition Editing by Gabrielle DeSopo This book was professionally typeset on Reedsy Find out more at reedsy.com Author’s Note Jethrow and Oaklynn’s story covers dark topics such as: drug abuse, physical abuse, mention of suicidal thoughts, alcohol abuse, and mentions of death. There are also graphic scenes meant for a mature crowd. Musical Artist is a full-length, interconnected, standalone. There will be character subplots that are not immediately resolved that will run through the series. Musical Artist may be a standalone but the author does recommend reading the series in order of release. I hope you fall in love with the band Cherished Expression, Oaklynn, River, and Jessica. Reader discretion is advised. “Oh, home, let me come home. Home is wherever I’m with you.” Dedication for my high school self. your obsession with romantic comedies and musicians eventually brought you here. you did it. Musical Artist Playlist Olive Branch—Sophie Holohan Home—Sydney Rose I’m A Mess—Bebe Rexha Tongue Tied—Marshmellow, YUNGBLUD, blackbear I Think I’m OKAY—Machine Gun Kelly I Feel Like I’m Drowning—Two Feet rocket science—vaultboy Somebody else.—Bad Omens IS IT ME—Loveless Kill My Time—5 Seconds of Summer Surrender—Natalie Taylor Achilles Come Down—Gang of Youths The Last Resort Oaklynn Life had a funny way of working itself out. That fact was something Oaklynn was positive everyone knew. Everything in her life had been completely normal, until two months ago. Oaklynn Rucker could remember the exact frat house she had been partying in when she received the phone call from a police officer. She could remember how they explained that her parents had been in a car accident that had claimed both of their lives, leaving her and her younger brother behind. Since then, Oaklynn had done everything in her power to keep her seven-year-old brother, River, in her custody. First, Oaklynn had dropped out of school, shamelessly leaving behind her dreams of becoming an artist. Second, she worked two jobs to make ends meet. Her first job had been as a barista at California’s Roast, which happened to be the best café outside of Los Angeles’ city limits. Oaklynn had been working there since starting school at Los Angeles City College the year prior. The second job she picked up when moving River into her apartment was babysitting other kids in her apartment building. Most of Oaklynn’s time was spent at the café, or her apartment building, but nothing seemed to make Oaklynn enough income to keep River with her. One night, while stressing over the job search, Jessica Barlow, Oaklynn’s childhood best friend and, now, one of the best casting directors in LA, stopped by to calm Oaklynn down and help her look through the job listings on the internet. “I know about a gig that may be able to help you,” Jessica said, pulling her phone away from her face. Since Jessica had arrived, Oaklynn could tell she wanted to tell her something but had kept the secret locked behind her lips. “What is it?” Oaklynn hesitantly asked, as she scrolled through the job listings on her old laptop. “I know of this—well, let’s just call it an acting role,” Jessica said, introducing the idea lightly. “I was talking to a friend, Cassandra Cress, and she was talking about this musician Howard signed a year ago—you’ve definitely heard of him.” Oaklynn knew exactly who she was talking about. “Anyway, she was trying to figure out a solution,” Jessica continued, “to help that guitarist’s image and I may have mentioned that I had a friend that was in search of a job and could possibly help.” “You didn’t,” Oaklynn gasped as she whipped her head around to look at Jessica. “I don’t even act anyone. That was a hobby in high school. I gave that up to pursue being an artist.” “And you haven’t painted in like three months,” Jessica added, sitting up to look at Oaklynn. “You won all of those awards for acting. I know you would be perfect for it. I mean, how hard could it be? You’d have to tolerate an asshole for a couple of hours every couple of days, and I bet if you told Howard about River he could give you good benefits. He’s a decent guy.” Oaklynn cautiously looked up at Jessica, knowing she would be sporting her pouting eyes. She was right. “I don’t know Jess,” Oaklynn sighed. “Oh come on. I can have a headshot ready for you in an hour,” Jessica said, standing up from the couch to the window. “You don’t deserve to be in this situation and I just want to help.” “Well, you have