Page 44 of Behind the Lights

“It works for us, but if tonight is anything like last night, we’re screwed,” I added.

“Why don’t we head out after the last band and hit the first rest stop for sleep?” Diamond suggested.

“Good call man, let’s go with that plan. Agreed?” Stoli asked, looking to each of us in for affirmation. All agreed, so the plan was in place. We finished eating and headed back in to check out what was going on.

The remaining bands rocked the shit and it was clear to us they’d more than earned their spots on the docket. We came away with a lot of info for what we’d like to check into doing with our equipment, merchandise and what not so I’d say our first day was productive.

Stoli had already asked security to lead us out of the parking lot so they were ready to roll when we pulled up to the gate. An hour later we were tucked away at a nice, quiet rest stop and crashed hard as soon as our heads hit the pillows waking refreshed and ready for another day.

On the days we had back to back shows, we kept to the heading right out for the nearest rest stop plan. But when we had a day or two in between shows we tended to stay and hang out with the other bands. Sometimes it was good, sometimes not so much. I was the only one with a boyfriend/significant other which left me as the lone wolf who couldn’t hook up, but Diamond was buried tits deep in groupies. Mickey wandered off to who knows where, showing up in the middle of the night banging on the van door, and I’d even lost sight of Stoli occasionally. I hung out and shot the shit with guys from other bands, for the most part everyone was cool, but every now and again a dickhead would surface.

By the time we reached Denver, Sal and his son Easton, the management team Lucas had given us the card for showed up to watch our show. We were nervous as fuck, which showed when my voice cracked on stage a couple of times. But I quickly worked to tamp down my insecurities and put on the best performance I could.

They met us backstage, after grabbing towels to wipe away the sweat the stage lights baked out of us we introduced ourselves.

“It’s nice to meet you boys,” Sal said after shaking our hands. “Your dad sent me a demo and I have to say I liked what I heard.”

“Thank you, sir,” Stoli initiated. “Brett said he filled you in on what we’ve been doing and the shows we’ve been playing.”

“Yes, you only have a couple more weeks left on this tour. What were your plans after that?” he asked.

“Funny you should mention that,” Nate said, walking up on our conversation. “Our band manager has set us up with another tour after this one. Not much different, but he said he was looking to add a couple more bands and I mentioned you guys to him.” He handed a card to Stoli, “He asked that you call him for the usual Q&A.” After patting Stoli on the shoulder, he disappeared behind the curtain.

“What the fuck just happened?” Mickey asked.

“Well it looks like you boys have your answer and are well on your way. We’d be happy to represent you and I’d like my son Easton to manage you. I wouldn’t be hands off by any means, but I’d discount our fee as a way to introduce you as well as him to the game. I’d be available to all of you, but Easton would be your first point of contact. If you’re interested, I came prepared to offer you a contract.” He pulled it out of his briefcase and handed a copy to Stoli. “I’ve also sent a copy to Brett to review so please feel free to talk to him before you sign it. I know he’s already interviewed our references, so you boys decide and let us know. Say, within the next forty-eight hours? If you agree, we’ll proceed on a verbal agreement until our schedules will allow us to physically sign the contract.” He made eye contact with each of us, poor Easton tried his best not to look nervous, but wasn’t doing a great job of it.

“Thank you, sir,” Stoli reached over to shake his hand. “We’ll call him now. Will you be staying around to watch the rest of the bands?”

“No, we saw what we needed to see and have to head back to Seattle. If you accept, I’ll get on the horn to that guy’s manager and see what we can set up. Can I have the card or take a picture of it just in case?” he asked, pulling his phone out of his pocket.

“I’ll take a picture and give you the card, so it doesn’t get lost,” Stoli said as he snapped a shot. “I’m sure we’ll be in touch by tomorrow and thank you again for coming to our show.” We shook their hands again before they left.

“Holy shit!” Stoli exclaimed, “We have to call Brett right fucking now. Diamond, you drive us to the hotel while I call him.” The four of us sprint walked to our van before jumping in and rushing out of the parking lot.

We only got one side of the conversation and were dead silent while he talked to Brett.

“Right on. Cool. Thanks again man,” he said before hanging up. “Looks like Sal’s on the up and up. He promised Brett he’d be watching Easton and keeping in touch with us until we were comfortable with his son running the show. Brett looked over the contract and had his friend who’s a paralegal also take look at it and she said it’s good to go. The references checked out and were happy with his services. So band vote, who wants to sign with them?”

With four hands raised, the deal was done. We pulled up in front of the hotel and unloaded, happily traipsing our asses in through the front door. Each desperately in need of a shower and a comfy bed to crash in. After checking in, we raced to the stairwell pitching dibs for who got the shower first. The shared bed arrangement was still standing, but it was every man for himself when it came to bathroom privileges.

While Diamond showered, Stoli called Sal and left a voicemail. “I need to head back to the concert after I shower. I wanna get Nate’s phone number so we can keep in touch with him. I think it’s cool as shit they suggested us for their tour.”

“Yeah, kinda mind blowing,” Mickey added, grabbing his bath stuff to head in as Diamond emerged from the steam filled bathroom with a towel around his waist. I had to admit, he had nice definition, but he was straight and one of my best friends which was not a road I cared to venture down.

“Everything good,” he asked, dropping his towel to throw on a pair of gym shorts.

Stoli caught me staring and gave me a raised eyebrow in return. Beyond embarrassed, I diverted my attention to my backpack searching for what? I had no idea.

“Yeah, we’re good. I’m gonna head over to the venue and talk to Nate after I shower. Wanna go with?” he asked, Diamond declined, but I said I’d go.

Mickey hollered from the bathroom that he was gonna stay back as well.

We got cleaned and the inevitable grilling I expected ensued as soon as we were on the road.

“What was that about?” Stoli asked, gripping the steering wheel so tight his knuckles were white.

“All what about?” Playing dumb was not my best choice, but I really didn’t want to talk about it.

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