Page 64 of Syncopation
Chapter Fifteen
Ray was still high as a kite after the autograph lines. They’d headlined their very own show and had their first VIP encounter. Those had been in the works for a while, though Carl had neglected to tell them. Still, the whole thing had been an unbelievable experience, so he couldn’t even be mad about that, especially since the VIP packages would continue. The label executivehad praised the band afterward for their energetic and fan-inspiring performance and complimented them for stepping up when Five Asylum had to back out.
They were heading to the buses—band and crew—for a little celebration when Ray stopped in his tracks, the realization hitting him like a hammer in the head. Zavier bumped his shoulder and gave him a questioning look.
“I left my notebookin the dressing room.” He had to get it. Its potential loss was like a punch to his chest.
Zavier nodded. “Want company?”
“Nah. Should only take a second.” With that, he turned and jogged back into the building.
Thankfully, the Moleskin was exactly where he’d left it, sitting on the vanity. The rest of the things in the room—the clothes and makeup and other items—were packed up.
One of the crew, Sasha, smiled at him. “Thought you might be back for that,” she said.
He gave a laugh. “Yeah. It’s like my security blanket.” He gave the crew a wave.
“Hey,” she said. “You joining us for movie night?”
The whole band had been invited. Mish thought it was a great idea, and so did Dom.They’re working their asses off, too, he’d said.
Ray agreed, except he didn’t knowif he’d make it to the party. “Really depends on when I start to crash.” He bounced up and down. “Right now I’m fine, but—”
Sasha gave him a little look he interpreted as interest. “Well, I hope to see you, if you don’t crash.”
Oh, honey. You’d be better off trying that on Mish than me.He smiled and headed out—and ran straight into Carl. Almost literally.
“What thefuck, Ray?”
“I—” He held up the notebook, but the rest of the sentence died in his mouth. Carl was furious, red-faced and glaring. Ray took a step back.
“I’ve been all over this fucking venue looking for you.” Carl pointed down the hall, like a schoolmaster, and the bottom dropped out of Ray’s life.
What had he done? Why was Carl so mad? Jesus, the label guy hadlovedthem! Still, he went the way Carlpointed.Don’t make waves. Stay calm. Stay collected. Controlled.Like he should be. Like Zavier wanted. God, he should have stayed with the band. Or taken Zavier up on his offer to come with him. His head swam like he was drowning in the booze Carl always accused him of drinking.
At the end of the hall was a tiny room, a closet of an office. He followed Carl inside and flinched when he closedthe door. Ray swallowed a breath and turned.
Carl shook his head. “That—” he pointed in the vague direction of the stage “—was not good enough.”
Ray gripped his notebook, the cover biting into his palm. “But—everyone loved it.” His voice wavered.Hold it together.
“Is that what you think?” Carl’s lips curled into a smile that was anything but kind.
“The label—”
“Mr. Collingerwas being kind. Reality is that your performance out there was barely adequate as a headlining band. It was mediocre, and barely up to an opening act’s form.” He shook his head. “You’re lucky you have such enthusiastic fans. They pulled the weight for you tonight.”
That wasn’t right. It couldn’t be right...could it? Ray played the night over in his head again. Tried to remember exactly whatthe exec had said, what he’d looked like. Had his smile been too wide? Shit,shit.
He wanted to slam past Carl, tell him he was full of it, and flee back to the bus. But that was the act of the fool Carl said he was. Probably what the asshole thought he’d do. Instead, he took another breath. “Okay, what do we need to do better?”
Carl blinked at him, and for a moment looked dumbfounded.Then he snorted.
“No, I’m serious. If there’s a problem, how do we fix it?”
“Stop being so goddamned condescending.” Carl turned away.
Condesc—“I’m not!” Ray’s voice rose, along with his anger. Both he tried to catch and tamp down. He would not explode. Not here, not tonight. “I’m not trying to cause trouble, Carl. I’m asking for your opinion as our manager. What are we doing wrong?”
