Page 26 of Rhythm and Rapture

Roman scrolls down. "They're flexible on timing. This week if possible, but Monday is ideal. They want to meet in their Santa Cruz Office."

We sit in silence for a moment, the weight of it settling over us. After years of grinding, of building our fanbase one show at a time, one of the biggest labels in the world is knocking on our door.

"We can't think about this right now," I say finally. "We have California tomorrow. We have..." I gesture vaguely at the STD testing paperwork on the coffee table. "Whatever this is with Sabina."

"But after?" Roman asks.

"After," I agree. "We'll ask them to send the full proposal. Set up a meeting for the day after tomorrow, once we're back."

"You want to fly to California, do... whatever we're about to do... then come back and potentially sign the biggest deal of our careers?" Ash asks.

"Yes."

Roman laughs, but it's not mocking. "Our lives are officially insane."

"Good insane," I echo Ash's earlier words.

We spend the rest of the day in a strange haze. Packing for California while fielding texts from our manager about the Artisan email. Practicing new material while waiting for test results. Trying not to think too hard about how our lives might be completely different 48 hours from now.

The test results come through at 5 PM. All clear, all three of us.

"Flights are booked," I announce. "Seven AM departure, arrive at Reno-Tahoe, RNO, at nine am local time."

"Wait, Reno?" Ash frowns. "I thought that was Vegas."

"Different Reno," I explain, pulling up the airport info. "Reno-Tahoe International. It's actually only about forty-five minutes from Soda Springs. Closest major airport to the “Behind the Lens Studio, where we are meeting.”

"So we're flying to ‘Great Value’ Vegas to be touched by a masked scientist we met through educational porn? Sounds legit,” Ash shakes his head.

He starts drumming his fingers on his thigh again, the rhythm more erratic than usual.

"Should we tell her about Artisan?" Ash asks.

"No," Roman says immediately. "Tomorrow is about her. About this... experiment. The label can wait."

He's right. Whatever happens with Artisan, whatever career moves we make, tomorrow is about honoring the trust Sabinahas placed in us. About being present for something that transcends business opportunities or record deals.

"Besides," Ash adds with a grin, "imagine telling Janix we need to postpone because we're flying to California to lose someone's virginity on camera."

"We're not telling her that," I say firmly. "Ever."

"Party pooper."

Roman's already typing on his phone. "I'm confirming with their assistant. Meeting scheduled for day after tomorrow, 2 PM."

"That gives us time to get back, clean up, and pretend we're responsible musicians who make sensible career decisions," I note.

"As opposed to what we actually are?" Ash asks.

"Three idiots who agreed to be in a porn calendar because a mysterious woman quoted our lyrics," Roman finishes.

"Educational adult content," I correct automatically.

"Right. That's much better."

We laugh, but there's nervous energy underneath it. In less than 24 hours, we'll be in California. In 48 hours, we might be signed to Artisan Records. Our entire lives are balanced on the edge of transformation.

"You know what?" Ash says suddenly. "We're really doing this."

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