Page 19 of Uriah's Orbit
“Yep.” He nodded. “I was sworn to secrecy. I can tell you I did it, but can’t tell you what’s on there. But I can tell you it’s absolutely nothing like their old stuff. And Austin has a damn set of pipes on him.”
“Do you have a listening party to go to?” Maddox asked. “Please, God, tell me you have a listening party to go to and you need me to go with you.”
“Dox, dude, you’re the lead singer in Robot Servant,” I said. “If you sneeze, they’ll let you have the master copies. Just ask their agent.”
“They are having a listening party,” Marcus said.
“Oh, what do you think that would do for them if you were there?” I asked.
“We’re at number one on the chart again.” Maddox smiled. “If me and Gardner went, we could lend some real credence to it.”
Marcus looked at me like I had an answer for him. I shrugged. “Look, I just costume the guy. I don’t know what would be the right thing to do.”
Marcus pulled out his phone and held up a finger as he dialed. He waited a few beats until someone answered the phone on the other end. “Hey, Hailey. Hi, it’s Marcus. Yeah. No, it’s all good. I was wondering if the guys have any more tickets to the listening party?” He paused and smiled. “Mmm, maybe ten, but barring—what? Oh, yeah? Great! You can leave them at the studio. Yeah. No, I think I want to surprise you all. You won’t be disappointed. Promise. Okay, girl. You’re awesome. Can’t wait to hear it! Yup, bye!” He slipped the phone back in his pocket.
“Clear your schedules for eight next Thursday. Dox, I got them for the guys, as well as me, Chase, Jace, Uri, and Noah. Good deal?”
Dox was staring at him. “I’m sorry, did you just call Hailey Goddamn Demorest’s personal phone?”
“I…did?” Marcus looked worried.
“Dude!You know her? You need to introduce her. Robot Servant needs to work with her. Needs. This is not a drill. We’ve been trying to get in touch with her for like—”
“Dude? You’re going to be there next Thursday, and I will introduce you. Remember, you’re a surprise for her too.”
“Think anyone else famous will be there?” Jace asked. “Or anyone who needs a key grip?”
“You know,” I said tapping my chin, “I’ll bet they need one for our filming next month. They want to do a recording of the show, and it’ll take about a week—”
“I’ll do it!” he snapped.
“Lemme talk to Bill and I’ll get you in.”
Jace fist pumped.
I held up a finger. “But you gotta promise me that you’re going to use that safety deposit box for some of the cash.”
“Uri—”
“Don’t argue with the man, Jace,” Marcus said. “You need to squirrel some cash away from those asswipes you room with.”
“They’re not so bad.”
“No, you’re right. They’re not bad,” Maddox said. “They’re terrible.”
“You can crash here!” Chase screamed from upstairs.
“Why is your boyfriend up there and not down here?” I asked. “He’s missing the awesome!”
“Are you going to be able to go next Thursday?” Jace asked. “I mean, is Austin even going to be able to go?”
“Oh, the management knows he’s out next week,” I said. “I just didn’t realize that was why.”
The echoing sound of the soul shocking rendition Austin had given ofBring Him Homewas still banging around in my head. The role of Radames was actually below him, if he could do Valjean without a warmup.
But he was genuinely thrilled to have it. He was throwing himself into the role at breakneck speed, and it was refreshing to see someone who wasn’t jaded by the spotlight.
In fact everything about him was genuine. It wasinfuriating. I hadn’t met many truly genuine people outside my friends. There were tons of dishonest users all over Broadway, who only wanted you as long as you provided something—an opening, an audition, an orgasm—and once that was over, they threw you back.
