Page 130 of Strange Lad

“Who is that?” Oli whispers.

“Hugelabel in Europe, well, Arkham. Kingsport is US-based. Ever heard of Artificial Suicide?” I whisper back.

He nods.

“They are signed with Arkham.”

“Are you two done whispering?” Lex snips. “As I was saying, now, I have to factor this troublemaker into the budget.”

“What fucking budget, Lewis?” Devon demands, finally having enough.

“Thetourbudget, moron.”

“Lex, stop, alright? I get you’re upset, but this isn’t the way to handle it,” Kelly tells her shitty cousin, who is also the best at his job. God, I want to fire his ass so hard.

“What damn tour?” Phoenix asks. “Like, you can’t just spring that shit on us, either. We all have lives. We all—”

Lex pins my best friend with a look straight from the bowels of hell. “You all want to be famous musicians, no? Badass metal band? Then do what I say. I can only do so much dealing with a group of overgrown teenagers bitching and complaining andfightingall the damn time.”

“I swear to god,” Devon snarls, taking a step forward, but Michael slaps his arm across Devon’s chest.

“What?” Lex glares at Devon. “What are you going to say? There’s nothing to argue here. I’m fantastic at my job. Thanks to yours truly, you all now have a shiny record label with a pretty sizable bonus, four promised albums, and a world tour startinghere. Do you know anyone else that could get that done, Devon? No. I don’t think so. So shut your mouth.”

“I see why you didn’t want to sit next to him,” Oli murmurs.

“I heard that, new kid.” Lex doesn’t look at us, though. No, his eyes are only for Devon, who is turning bright purple with rage. “As I was saying, this wouldn’t be such a huge deal had Iknown; any tidbit of information would do. Seeing as I manage you all.”

“It was kind of last minute,” I explain. “We were going to tell you once we jammed out and made sure we all meshed.”

Lex scoffs, fucks with the cuff of his leather jacket. “You need to have the new album recorded, mixed, and ready by the end of summer. The tour starts in January. Get it fucking done.”

I gape, Oli frowns, and the rest of my band looks ready to dismember him. “Oh, and you, new guy. Don’t go starting bar fights anymore, yeah? It makes the rest of the band look like a bunch of scoundrels who can’t control their impulses.” He pauses and flicks his eyes over Devon. “We already have one of those who gives off those unseemly vibes.”

With that, Lex turns on his heel, storming out of the studio, and I cling to Oli. “I told you he was mean.”

Michael lets go of Devon. “Just let it go, man.”

“I’m sick of him. Sick of his fucking pompous little bullshit. And to call out Oli like that? Like he did it on purpose?”

“We need him,” Phoenix says. “I don’t like his attitude either.”

“I’m done letting him walk all over us, man. Done.” Devon slices his hand through the air. “You all might be able to let it slide, but I won’t. I refuse. He’s going to get knocked down a peg.” He grabs his jacket, slides it on, and stomps out.

“Well…,” I start, laughing awkwardly, “We got signed. Yay!”

There is a unanimous groan throughout our studio.

Oli pinches my chin, stealing my attention. "Kitten, read the room."

I pout. "It's my job to lift everyone's spirits."

He shakes his head, sliding his palm over my cheek. "Not today. Today, you're mine."

Devon

What a pompous little shit.

I storm after Lex into the parking lot. I’ve had enough of his crap.

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