Page 81 of Your Echo
Cole opens his eyes as wide as he can in exaggerated disbelief. “Did Ace Turner just say he wants tofollow a routine?”
“Yeah, and you better stick to it, or I’ll kick your sorry ass.”
“Funny how me threatening to kickyoursorry ass never resulted inyousticking to a routine,” Cole retaliates, “when it’s obvious I would win against you in every possible situation.”
Matt gives us both a dismissive wave.
“Enough comparing dick sizes. Ace, I think a few jam sessions sound like a great idea. As soon as your ribs are no longer in danger of breaking, of course.”
JP lets out a yawn. “Can we make these jam sessions later than nine in the morning, though? One of the good things about getting dropped by Atlas wasnothaving early meetings anymore. Why the hell are we here now?”
“You’re here now because it’s the only time I could meet with you.”
The answer to JP’s question comes from over by the staircase. We all whip our heads around in surprise, only I’m just shocked she’s here twenty minutes early. The guys didn’t know she was coming at all.
“SHAYLA!”
JP jumps up from the couch, shouting her name over and over again as he runs over to the woman in a familiar leather jacket, the tips of her hair dyed a fresh forest green. I knew I’d made the right choice the second I saw her walk into the coffee shop where we met last week. Shayla’s work as our manager was the reason we became a hit. She runs a whole management company, but took us on as her own personal project back when the biggest shows we could book were frosh week gigs and the occasional fill-in for other bands’ opening acts. She saw something in us and believed in it so hard she made everyone else see it too.
We need that belief now even more than we did back then.
Shayla opens her arms for a hug from JP, but he picks her up and spins her around instead, still shouting her name.
“Down, boy,” she orders, smacking him on the shoulder. “It’s only been six months, and you already forgot how much I hate physical contact. Get the fuck off me.”
He obeys right away. That’s another thing Shayla has going for her: she scares us all shitless and we do whatever she says.
JP still pulls her in for a hug anyway.
“My favourite angry lesbian,” he says, patting her on the head. “I missed you.”
“That’s nice, JP. Now get off.”
Once she’s detached herself from him, she straightens her jacket and gives him an accusatory glare.
“Your favourite angry lesbian? Are those really my defining features? Angry and a lesbian?”
“I would say Best Manager Ever, but you’re not our manager anymore. Wait.” He pauses and a huge grin spreads across his face. “Are you going to be our manager again?”
Shayla looks over at me. “I thought you were going to explain before I got here.”
I shrug. “You’re early. I haven’t gotten there yet.”
She claims a seat on one of the couches. “Well then, to answer your question, JP, no. I’m not going to be your manager again. Ace met with me last week and asked me to do exactly that, but I had to turn him down.”
I can feel the excitement drain out of the room like a popped balloon.
“I had to turn him down,” Shayla continues, “because instead of managing your band, I want to sign Sherbrooke Station to my new label.”
“You started alabel?” Matt exclaims.
Shayla nods. “It’s always been an idea in the back of my mind, and my management business boomed around the same time you guys became a hit. I’ve got the means for it now, and I want you on board.”
“Fuck yeah!” JP shouts. “Let’s do it.”
I can see Shayla biting back a smile, but she turns serious as soon she starts speaking again.
“There are some things you should all consider before saying yes. This isn’t going to be like signing on with someone like Atlas. I can’t back you with the kind of funding I’m sure you’re used to by now. You’re not going to see a profit for quite awhile.”
