Chapter 27

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

ARTHUR

Since they now considered me the band manager, I got to go with them for their recording session. I still didn't know about that title, but I tried my best to live up to it. The recording session with the whole band was on a weekday, so I had to take some time off, but it was amazing to watch them thrive. Aliyah spent the time before the recording session learning the music, and she fit really well with the band once they played together. Ruby was ecstatic, and even though I could tell it was hard on Laz to watch, he said nothing. He was a little quieter than before, but friendly with Aliyah and Hendrix said he was working on helping Laz get over Ruby.

The recording studio emailed me a small demo of the recording a few days later, just as a preview of what the music would sound like once it was finished. I didn't tell Hendrix how expensive it was to go to this place. I was pretty sure, based on the fact that they all lived together, that they wouldn't have been able to afford it. It was a gift from me, since I had more than enough in savings to cover it. He hadn't asked yet, but if he and the band ever did, I'd already made up a little white lie about it being severely discounted because it was their first time.

I was supposed to wait until I got home to listen to the recording, but I was too excited. I waited until the office had gone to lunch before pulling it up and turning my speakers up. My heart fluttered wildly in my chest as I heard Hendrix's voice croon out the opening lines. I'd seen them play on stage, relaxing at home, in the studio, and now on an actual track. I felt privileged to be part of their journey and for the first time in a long time, I was really excited about my life outside of the time I spent with Sophie. This was as much for me as it was for the band and I almost cried hearing it coming out of my computer speakers.

"Hey, that song is great. Who's it by?"

I nearly jumped out of my own skin, spinning around to face Henry. He cracked up at my reaction, patting my shoulder apologetically.

"My bad. I didn't mean to sneak up on you. I was just listening to your music. I've never heard this song before."

Willing my heart back into normal rhythm, I sucked in a breath. "Unless you go to club Envy Thursday nights, you wouldn't. The band is called Children of Myth. They're amazing. They've been playing in small clubs around the city for a while, but I helped them get some studio time recently and got the demo this morning."

Propping his hip on the edge of my desk, he tipped his head to listen. When the demo ended, I restarted it for him, letting him get the full effect. Watching my friend bob his head along with the music, knowing it was Hendrix's band that he was enjoying, filled my chest with pride. But I wasn't expecting what he said next.

"Are they with a label yet?"

I frowned. "No. Not yet. Why?"

"My older brother works for Envision Records. We've got a little thing where if I find a band that isn't represented and he likes them, he buys me dinner. And I'm talking about a nice dinner. Lobster, filet mignon, that kind of thing. I've only ever found two, but damn, it was worth it. If he signs them and they make it big, he promised to buy me a car. If these guys are looking for representation, then I can send the demo to him. Maybe even get him to invite you to dinner, too."

He said it so nonchalantly, like Envision Records wasn't one of the biggest labels in the country. I gaped at him, my mouth opening and closing like a fish because I seriously didn't know what to say.

"I-I-"

"I mean, you don't have to. If they prefer to produce on their own then–"

"No! I mean– Yes! Absolutely! How many songs does he want to hear? Should he go to a show instead? Should I wait for the studio to be finished?"

Henry's head tossed back when he laughed and he put his hands up to slow down my babbling. "Hold on, hold on. Easy tiger. Just what you've got now will be enough. Usually I send him a clip from whatever fair or whatever I see the band at, so this is a huge step up from that. Can you put it on a thumb drive for me? I've got a family dinner this weekend. I can show it to him then."

"Oh, my god. That would be amazing. Thank you!"

He snickered, tipping his head towards my computer. I rushed to do as he asked, moving the file onto a blank thumb drive for him. My hands shook as I handed it to him, which he found entertaining, but I couldn't help it. I knew, deep in my soul, that Children of Myth was worth signing. They were amazing, and I wanted more than anything to have them get the record deal they deserved.

"Let me know if you need anything else. Or if he wants to see them live. They've got a regular slot at Club Envy, but they play a few other places during the week as well. I owe you for this, Henry. Honestly."

He tipped his head at me. "Letting me meet the band would be nice. I never get to meet them in person. I'm just the label fairy sneaking around in the background."

"Done. I can even get you backstage if you want."

He snorted, shaking his head. "Damn, man. You're excited." His eyes narrowed for a second. "Is the guy you're seeing in the band?"

My face flushed, and Henry started laughing again, squeezing my shoulder. "Well, hell, Arthur! When you decide to date men, you go right for the good stuff. A musician? Especially one that good? I'm a little jealous."

"It wasn't planned. I went to a bar to drown my sorrows, and they got up on stage. Hendrix only had to sing one line before I was hooked. I never thought he'd look my way twice, but…" I shrugged.

Henry gripped my shoulder, shaking me a little. "Of course he'd look your way. You're a catch. Now when do I get to meet the band? You said they play every Thursday?"

My excitement was brimming by the time I got home, but I hesitated to tell Hendrix. I didn't want to get his hopes up. Henry said he'd show his brother, but that didn't mean his brother would like them or that he'd want to sign them. I decided to wait to tell him until I knew more. Keeping that kind of secret was harder than I thought, though. Every time he called me, I felt it sitting on the tip of my tongue. It was almost painful to keep it in. When Henry met me at the club on Thursday to hear the band, I was almost crawling out of my skin from the anticipation. He didn't see his brother until the weekend, though, so I couldn't even ask if there was an update.

I'd already checked on the band by the time he arrived, so I took my normal seat at the bar, chatting with Henry as the band took the stage. I still got butterflies watching Hendrix on stage. From the first time I saw him, I was doomed. There was no way someone could look at him and not fall for him. His voice wrapped around me like silk, giving me goosebumps no matter how many times I listened to the same songs.

"You look smitten," Henry called over the music.

I wrinkled my nose to hide my blush. "Shut up. Pay attention. They're about to play my favorite song."

He stopped teasing after that and we just enjoyed the music together. I liked having someone to sit with, and when the band came out after the show, I was happy to introduce Henry as my friend. Hendrix tossed his arm over my shoulders as he shook Henry's hands, still sweaty and gross from being under those lights. When I made a face at him, he dropped his weight on me, ?rubbing his sweaty body all over me.

"Hendrix!" I complained. Sort of. I couldn't stop laughing and I didn't hate him all over me. I could do without the sweat, of course, but still.

Henry watched us with a smirk, raising his eyebrow at me when I shot him a questioning look. "So when I said you went for the top shelf, I got it on the nose, didn't I?"

I blushed, but he wasn't wrong. I really did get lucky with Hendrix. He was beautiful, artistic, kind, playful, and he was even good with kids. He was the whole package, and when I tipped my head back to look at him and he smiled at me, I admitted to myself that it was more than a crush. I was in love with him. Probably had been since the first time I saw him on stage. Everything was perfect, thanks to him. I was more social, I had friends, I got out of the house several times a week. I wasn't that quiet accountant, trudging through life with no genuine happiness anymore. I was living. And it was all thanks to him.