Page 34 of Don't Bang a Bandmate

“But I do. And so should you.” He sits back in his chair. “Where do you see yourself in five years?”

I laugh. “Is this a job interview?”

“Yes, actually.”

I blink. “Huh?”

Mr. Monroe pushes his plate to one side and folds his hands together on the table. “Jordan, what I’m about to tell you must stay between us.”

I bite the corner of my mouth. “Okay.”

“At the end of the year, I’m leaving Midnite Music.”

“You’re retiring?” I ask.

“What?No.”

“Oh.”

He laughs. “I’m still a young man! Well, not asyoungas you are, of course, but I’m not even thinking about... no. I’m going to work for another company.”

“What company?” I ask, curious.

“Sugar Sound out of New York.”

“Sugar Sound?”

“You know them?”

“Of course. They signed Thunderstrike. And Nadia Danes. And The...”

The Electrics.

“They’re quite successful, yes,” he says. “They’re well on their way up, and I’m being brought in to oversee that process. During the transition, they’ve offered me a chance to build my team. Naturally, I thought of you.”

“Me?”

“Jordan, you are one of the brightest, most talented managers I’ve encountered in quite some time. If I’m being completely honest, I think you — like myself — have gotten everything you can get out of working with Midnite Music. You deserve better. Better hours. More flexibility. Benefits —actualones.”

“You want to sign Criminal Records with Sugar Sound?” I ask, confused.

Mr. Monroe pauses. “No,” he answers. “I don’t.”

“But...” I shake my head once. “They’re my band.”

“And you’ve done an extraordinary job with them!” he says. “Criminal Records would be nothing without you. Everyone knows that.But...”He exhales with a scoff. “Jordan, sweetheart, what have they done foryoulately?”

I say nothing.

“Flouncing out of interviews?” he says. “Turning down music festivals only to demand a slot later? Fist fights in hotel bars? Getting arrested?” He kisses his teeth. “It’s a surprise you’re even still with them at all.”

“They’re my family,” I say, finding my voice.

“I understand this may be difficult for you, but you have to think of yourself here. In five years, do you really still want to be cleaning up their messes?”

I hesitate. “It’s notthatbad, Mr. Monroe.”

“It’s not sustainable,” he says. “And — just between you and me — it’s only a matter of time before The Rebels of Rock fall from grace. I’d hate to see you go down with them.”

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