Page 78 of Voice to Raise
“I’ll get it.” Malik headed for the front door. Just before he was out of sight, though, he met my gaze. “Family room.”
I nodded. After he left, I turned to the assembled group. “How about you make yourselves at home? Malik and I can prepare the drinks.”
Creed locked arms with Reese and gestured to Freddie with his chin.
The three headed toward the far side of this cavernous room that stretched the length of the back of the house.
I’d always thought the space large and imposing.
With the three of them chatting excitedly—albeit quietly—the place felt less imposing. This house was meant for lots of people. I could imagine how it had been with just Malik and his parents. Equally able to swallow up just Malik and myself. Add the band, though, and now these two strangers? The place felt more alive than it had in the entire time I’d been staying here.
And he just asked me to move in.That had to mean something. Tonight? Of all nights? The winter solstice was an incredibly important day for Indigenous people. I wasn’t one, of course, but this had always been Pike’s favorite day of the year.
“This is the family room slash kitchen.” Malik guided two people into the room.
One was slightly shorter with brown curly hair and curious eyes. Likely Mickey, although I’d never seen them in person.
The other was a stunning Black woman who was nearly Malik’s height. Pauletta Magnum commanded presence on television—she was even more stunning in person.
“We have hot chocolate, tea, cola, water…” Malik met my gaze with a touch of desperation.
I grinned, pulling from my years of experience of making people feel at home. “Hot chocolate is still quite hot, and everything else will take mere moments to make.”
Pauletta linked arms with her partner. “We both love hot chocolate and rarely have it.”
“Two mugs coming up. Marshmallows or plain?”
Mickey’s eyes lit.
Pauletta laughed.
“With marshmallows coming up.” I hadn’t given it to the others—an oversight—but they could ask if they really wanted, and clearly they hadn’t. Or had been too nervous to think about it.
The three people moved my way, and I organized the drinks.
Mickey and Pauletta followed Malik toward the family room while I ensured the kitchen was more or less put to rights. After a moment, I joined the group, taking the seat next to Malik. The space held two long couches and four comfortable chairs. Reese, Freddie, and Creed occupied one couch, Malik and I the other.
Our guests sat in chairs next to each other that had been moved closer together. While Mickey sipped their hot chocolate, Pauletta whipped out the contracts. She passed them around.
Everyone except Mickey put their hot chocolates on the coffee table and sat back. Only Malik and I actually started to read the contract.
Freddie waved his copy. “Can you topline this? Spencer says our lawyer needs to look over everything anyway.”
Pauletta cocked her head at me. “Are you their rep?”
“Just a boyfriend and concerned party.”
“You’re a far way from corporate law. Or environmental legislation.”
Ah. You’ve done your homework. Well done.Not that I expected any less—any rep worth their salt would walk inprepared. “And you’ve only ever repped Grindstone. Yet here you are.”
“I spoke to them before coming here. They’ll always be my first clients—and I’m forever grateful—but I am capable of being attentive to more than one band.”
“Your loyalties will always lie with them.”
She cocked her head. “I will ensure you never come into conflict with them.”
“I believe they’re competing for a spot at Rocktoberfest.”
