Page 28 of Follow the Rhythm
I recognized the threat. “Of course. Come to the meeting, please.”
“And be ignored like last time? I don’t think so. I have better things to do foryourcareer. Find me down here when it’s over,” she said and swept away towards the uncomfortable-looking couches grouped at the far end of the lobby.
I clenched my fists in frustration, then made my way upstairs.
I was the last to arrive, but no one made a fuss. Jess was sitting farthest from the door. She’d wound her hair into two buns on top of her head, accentuating her slender neck, and she was wearing a shirt so low-cut I thought I might see her nipplesif she leaned forward. To my slight disappointment, Charlie wasn’t there. He was pleasant to be around, like he was giving off the warmth of a fireplace on a frigid day.
Jess didn’t even look at me as I came into the room.
Kieran barely acknowledged me, and Grace subtly flipped me off.
I couldn’t blame them. I was insufferable, even to myself. But I couldn’t seem to stop doing the shit that hurt everyone.
Ursula ran through the lighting design and video components for each of the 14 songs on the main setlist, as well as the 2 encores.
Jess’s illustrations would be featured in the middle section, the songs fromInto the Garden, accompanied by a massive tree that would roll out from stage left. They were working with an animator to create subtle movements for each picture.
Ursula pulled up a short clip as an example. The effect was unsettling, but undeniably striking.
“And then we’ll bring the audience back to the real world for the last few songs, the big hits fromHome of the Free. Encores are ‘Firedancer’ and ‘Enemy,’ right?” Ursula looked at Kieran.
“Yes,” I answered to remind everyone I was in the room. “But we might want to swap out ‘Enemy,’ so we should keep the design simple. Everyone will be singing along anyway.”
Ursula nodded. “My thoughts exactly. We’ll do some pyro for ‘Firedancer’ because everyone will expect it, but the last song will just be big, bright lights, no video.”
“It all looks good to me,” Kieran said. “Ellis?”
“Approved.”
“Grace?” he asked.
“Why does it matter what she thinks?”
Everyone glared at me.
“Because she’s a part of this tour too, asshole,” Jess said, her voice scathing. She met my gaze, her brown eyes blazing, then turned away again, dismissing me.
“I apologize,” I said ironically. Grace just flipped me off again.
I didn’t have anything against Grace except that she wasn’t Michael. I knew it was unfair, but these things aren’t always rational. But I didn’t appreciate her being included in creative decisions as if she were actually his replacement, either.
“We’ll get to work then,” Ursula said simply.
As everyone stood to leave, I hung back. “Jess? Could we have a chat?”
Jess looked startled, but also defiant. “Fine.”
Kieran gave her a searching look that annoyed me, as if he were checking on her. It also seemed to annoy Jess because she glared at him until he left the conference room. A small seed of jealousy sprouted at their apparent connection.
I sat in the seat next to her, and Jess stiffened, leaning away from me.
“You know, if you wanted to see me, there are easier ways than getting hired to my creative team,” I said to break the awkward silence.
Jess flushed bright red. “As hard as this may be for you to believe, my being here actually has nothing to do with you.”
I raised my eyebrows at her. “I think it has a bit to do with me, darling. It is my band, after all.”
Jess pressed her lips together and crossed her arms tightly. “Okay, fine, yes, it’s your band. But when you didn’t recognize me after that show the other night, I thought you just wouldn’t. I’d collect a decent paycheck for once, and we could all move on with our lives.”
