Page 29 of Syncopation
Zavier shifted, brushing his leg against Ray’s in the process. “Personality differences with the conductor.”
“And you walked before he could fire you?”
An affirmative grunt. “Yes. Though, in reality,he couldn’t have fired me. He’s as much a member of the orchestra as anyone else, even if he’s more famous and better paid.”
Silence settled between them as the obvious question nagged at Ray’s mind—but he’d already told Zavier to get out of the gutter, so he shouldn’t be asking about Zavier’s sex life. “Why not another orchestra?”
A soft chuckle, one he felt through the shaking of thecouch rather than heard. “I was wondering when you’d ask that,” Zavier murmured. “Dimitri has better connections than I do, and there are only so many timpanist positions available at any given time.”
Dimitri. Ray’s turn to shift uncomfortably on the couch. First-name basis. “So you’re slumming it with us.”
Mish rolled her eyes. “Ray.”
Zavier tapped his foot against Ray’s. “This ishardly slumming it. So far it’s been a pleasure and a challenge. Frankly, I can’t wait to get on stage tonight.” So much passion in his voice, enough that Ray caught the edge of excitement himself.
He took in Zavier, meeting his gaze and smile. “You have the best seat in the house, you know.”
“Oh, believe me, I know that.” There was a flicker of motion, and Ray got the distinct impressionthat Zavier was checking him out, and that only fueled his blood.
Ray closed his eyes. “Soon you’ll be in it.”
“And Carl will learn you were absolutely right.”
God, he hoped so.
* * *
Unusual to still have such nerves. Zavier pushed back on the flutter in his cheek and tingling in his arms. Technically, the festival had been his first show with the band, so he shouldn’t havebeen off-kilter. Yet he was, becausethisconcert was personal now. He didn’t have to prove himself this time, but with the way Carl had treated Ray, thebandhad a score to settle.
Zavier wanted to ram success, along with his fist, down Carl’s throat. He didn’t understand why Ray put up with that shit.
When he’d had a free second away from the rest of the band, he’d sent a quick emailto Nadia to see if she’d anything to tell him about the manager. Something didn’t add up. At all.
And god, that reporter. Gabriel. Pretty enough of a man, but he’d hit a little too close to the mark with his questions. Undoubtedly, something would come out about his time at Silverton and his relationship with its maestro. What the hell would Ray think of that? Did Zavier care?
Yes, ofcourse he did. He’d felt a twinge of embarrassment he hadn’t felt in so long when he’d realized Ray was jealous of his sexually charged banter with both Gabriel and Carl. He didn’t need to cause Ray issues. Dude was on edge enough.
Now, though, Ray was in his best form: on stage and in control. They worked through a sound check and a small practice. The songs they played snippets from wereones that everyone expected them to play, off the latest album. Nothing unexpected, and certainly not “Lightning.” They kept that under wraps.
Carl frowned at them from the edge of the stage. Whatdidthat guy expect? They’d blown away the festival. This would be no different. The smattering of VIP folks for Five Asylum seemed pretty happy, even clapping a few times when they worked flawlesslythrough a song. Another glance over at the edge of the stage, and Carl was gone.
Just as well.
Afterward, the band conferred, and the nervousness Zavier had suppressed was alive in Ray. “It’s good. I think it’s good.” He rocked back and forth on his feet, like someone who’d had too many energy drinks.
The hesitation was alive in Dom, too. “Yeah. I think we sounded fine.”
Mish tossedher head. “We’re gonna nail it, Ray.” Fire there, and determination.
Zavier fed off that rather than his own worries. “They won’t know what hit them.”
Ray took a breath and settled. “Okay.” Another breath and he was nodding. “We’ll do this.”
They passed through the green room and headed to their dressing rooms when Zavier spotted Carl, lying in wait. Of course. No idea why Carl underminedRay, but damned if Zavier was going to let that happen.
He grabbed Ray’s elbow. “Hey.”
Ray nearly jumped out of his skin at the touch, but didn’t pull away. Rather, he settled closer to Zavier, like a magnet.
