Page 15 of Accidental Fire
Call me when you have time.UncleNate
I glanced across the parking lot. There were a lot of cars lined up at the exits, so I went ahead and called Nate, figuring I had some time. I opened my contacts and found Nate’s, pressing the icon for an audio call.
It rang three times, and I nearly hung up before he answered. “Hey, Kit. Thanks for calling me. What the hell is going on?”
“Uh, what do you mean, Nate?”
“Well, Marshall failed to show me the review from The Offbeat. My assistant brought it to my attention. Did you see that show? Do you know what happened?”
“Look, Nate, I’m not going to tattle on those kids. They’re young and sowing their wild oats. Maybe they haven’t learned to channel the energy into something positive, or maybe they’re not disciplined enough to realize the enormity of what they’re doing. They’ll be home for a few days before Ensenada. Call a meeting. Talk to them,” I said.
“Tell me what happened at that show.”
I sighed. “They were high, and the first half of the show sucked. They didn’t even get a call for an encore, and they seemed to be floundering. I’m not sure if it’s Marshall not giving them enough attention and guidance, but something’s got to change for them.”
“Shit. See, this is why I hate signing young acts. Those kids are so damn talented, but if their hearts aren’t in it, there’s nothing I can do about it. Should I cut them? I can pay out their contracts, cancel the rest of the tour, and refund the tickets.” Nate didn’t sound as if his mind was made up yet. There still might be time to talk him out of it.
“I have a favor to ask,” Nate said.
Fuck me.
“I’m still doing the last favor you asked.” I tried to joke, but Nate didn’t laugh.
“I’m serious, Kit. I need you to take them under your wing. Clancy Morse was their choice for a driver. He’s not a very nurturing person, but you are. You’re like your mother in that way. I saw it when you were here for the dinner I hosted. They need someone to watch out for them and keep them from doing stupid shit. I’ll make it worth your while, nephew.”
I laughed. “I know you have more money than the King of Monaco, but I have some money of my own.”
“Yeah, but I know you’d like to own a charter excursion boat and fishing business. You’d need at least two catamarans, three sport fishing yachts, marina space to operate, and eight to ten employees. You do this for me, and I’ll set up the whole thing for you.”
I laughed. “I’m young. I still have time to get something going.”
“Yeah, but it could take years. I’m offering to get it started by the end of the year. You wouldn’t have to haul anything but your boats if you want to maybe operate the service out of Mexico in the winter or Oregon in the hot summer.”
Man, the offer was tempting as hell. Sitting on my ass in a truck for ten hours a day, fighting traffic and stupid drivers, and not being home for too many weeks at a time was starting to wear on me.
My job was awfully lonely at times, but the idea of what he was asking in return was huge. Being responsible for keeping five guys out of trouble was a lot, and I didn’t know if I was up for it.
“Look, I don’t think I’m your guy on this, Nate. They’re smart enough that if you tell them you’ll kick them to the curb, they’ll straighten up their shit. They don’t need a big brother over their shoulders.” I damn well didn’t want to be responsible for five twenty-somethings.
“Not a big brother, then. A mentor, maybe. Or a good role model. That’s what they need most of all. Last year, on their short tour, they had Skyler traveling with them and keeping them in line. This winter and early spring, Regal and the other members of From the Ashes popped in on them, but they still did stupid shit like trash walls and bust furniture by wrestling around in the suites after the gigs. It cost a fucking fortune.”
Nate paused. “Come to think of it, Kensington mentioned that the other four look up to River. If you were to maybe just be a support system for him, the others would follow suit. They’re a great band, Kit. I’d like to keep them on the roster, but if they don’t clean up their act, I’m afraid I’ll have to cut them.”
Okay, now he sounded a little more convinced that releasing them was a good idea, which didn’t sit well with me.
Fuck, I couldn’t have that on my conscience. They were a good band. Maybe if I just offered some advice from time to time? It shouldn’t take much of my time, should it?
I’d need to get to know River Ashe, and there was nothing wrong with that.
Chapter Six
River
Beer Fest, Ensenada
Clancy drove the van along the palm-tree-lined driveway of the Sol de Baja Resort and Spa, stopping under the portico. He hopped out and opened the side door on the Toyota HiAce luxury passenger van so we could get out. We were dreading what would happen once we arrived in Mexico. We knew Mr. Ashby was hella pissed at us, but only Clancy had met us at the airport, and he hadn’t mentioned anything about what had happened in California.
When we got on the tour bus after the show in San Diego to drive back home for a few days, we were presented with the bullshit review from a local entertainment newspaper about how the reporter hated the Los Angeles show.
