Too Late to Get Out (Inspired by the Music of JoJo)

By Cooltrainer Ashton

Jamie Rakas, an A&R Executive at Universal Music Group, has walked through fire and built a legacy off his misfortune as a young adult. After carving out a career, all his hard work on himself becomes threatened by the reappearance of his singer-songwriter ex-boyfriend who left him in dire straits. Filthy and destitute, he’s faced with a dangerous choice - does he show pity on the love of his life and open up old wounds, or does he have the strength to dish out some stone-cold revenge as retribution for past grievances? Find out in Ashton Barnes’ and CJ Gensel’s super short story influenced by the music of JoJo, “Too Late to Get Out”!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Cooltrainer Ashton
• Release date: Jun 20, 2022
• ISBN: 9781005657819

Cooltrainer Ashton

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Too Late to Get Out

Inspired by the music of JoJo

Written by Ashton Barnes & CJ Gensel

Cover designed by Ashton Barnes

Ventura beach photo courtesy of CJ Gensel

Los Angeles photo courtesy of Pedro Marroquin via Unsplash

© 2022

Disclaimer

This is a work of fiction, and any character resemblances to actual people are coincidental.

All characters depicted in any mature content are 18 years old or older.

Queen JoJo be praised.

Smashwords License Statement

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each reader. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please visit your favorite ebook retailer to purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Author’s Note

Thank you for purchasing, readers! To supplement your reading, please check out the official Too Late to Get Out playlist on Apple Music.

This super short story was thoughtfully written with some exes in mind. Consider this a big middle-finger for the needless trouble you brought to my life. You know who you are, and karma never misses when she aims.

Dedication

To Z.A. Maxfield,

Mama, though the last few years have been difficult and separated us, I’ve never forgotten your lessons and love, and my admiration for your work still stands. Thank you for your authenticity and informing your writing with your allyship.

This work is dedicated to all you gave me. Despite losing contact, I hope I’ve made you proud.

"This is not being the 'bigger person':

-Not calling out someone's fault because you understand where they're coming from.

-Pushing aside constant disrespect because you want to keep the peace.

-Watering down your pain so that the other person feels less guilty.

It's suppression."

~Asha Jacob

Chapter One

The Request

Fog machines. Stage lights. Roars of cheers from a rambunctious crowd.

All my hard work led here. The crowd’s energy grew as I took the stage, my mind racing from anxiety and thrill as I took the mic. But, as I opened my mouth, nothing came out.

The crowd dissolved into callous laughter and unimpressed boos, that all-too-familiar shame finding me yet again.

Within an instant, the scene vanished, and my last sight was my usual karaoke joint, the Karaoke Jockey replaced by… Eric. A smug look of superiority pierced me. My tear ducts burned before fading to black.

A gasp left my chest as I sprung up in bed, everything as it was the previous night. That last image left a bitter aftertaste, undeserving of the space it had already stolen. Banishing it, I jumped up to start my day, as my clients weren’t deserving of a distracted executive.

Mornings were often a blur, my daily routine comprising a shower and shave, picking out a suit, grabbing a coffee and the morning news, and my commute. Compartmentalizing wasn’t new, and my role at Universal