Page 86 of One Day Like This (Excess All Areas 1)

Ben pushed the door open, and Alex, who appeared to be wearing lip gloss that looked better than it should, stepped through it. “Well, we aren’t going to figure it out standing outside on the pavement like idiots holding our dicks.”

Jase followed his cousins through the door.

Luke turned to Matt. “You think it’s a contract, don’t you?”

Matt’s gut clenched. Nerves? Excitement? He couldn’t tell. “I’d be lying if I said no. But it could just be we all got on well, and they thought to invite us to join them for a drink.”

“Let’s go,” Luke said, gesturing for Matt to go ahead of him.

“Matt. Luke,” Niles said, walking over to them. “How’ve you been?”

Matt shook his hand. “Good. Thanks for inviting us, and thanks again for having us on the tour.”

Niles downed the rest of the lager in his pint glass. “Worked for us too. Help yourself to drinks. It’s on us.”

Matt and Luke took a step toward the vintage tiled bar when Niles stopped them. “Hey, Luke. Listen, your sister, Izabel. You should invite her to come join us. There are way too many men in this bar right now. Tell her to invite her friends.”

“She’s working,” Matt said at the exact same time as Luke.

“Tonight?” Niles asked, as Luke gave Matt a confused look.

“Works in a homeless shelter. Open twenty-four seven. She’s planning a fundraiser.”

“You should come play. Volunteer your time. It’s in November,” Matt said.

And now he’d invited a guy who was showing interest in Izabel to get closer to her by playing the festival. He mentally kicked himself.

His attempt to help Iz had just fucked him over.

“Ah, shit. That’s the American leg of the tour. Maybe I could get her number, Luke.”

Luke grimaced. “I don’t give her number out without her agreement. I’ll pass yours along.”

Matt blew out a breath in relief as he walked to the bar.

Jase handed them both a beer. “Guessed what you wanted.”

“Guys,” Simon said, coming to greet them. “This is Ennis Marshall, he owns Nikhedonia. There’s a room just around the corner, wondered if we could talk to the five of you really quick. Just head on over there and we’ll be right behind you.”

“They’re going to offer us a contract,” Ben said once the five of them were alone. “This all feels too weird to be anything else. Tell me you feel that too.”

Jase dropped into a chair at a small round table. It took all Matt’s effort to not call him out for being such a passive-aggressive, tardy douchebag. “We don’t need a manager.”

“Jase, please. Shut up. We do. And if this is what it’s about, it’s a big fucking deal.”

Alex grinned. “Simon has been Stryker’s manager at Nikhedonia Management for a few years and they’ve done great.”

“What kind of a name isNikhedonia? Sounds like a kids’ TV channel,” Jase said.

“It means something to do with the anticipation of victory,” Ben said. “Like when you’re watching a game, and there’s five minutes on the clock, but something tells you your team has it in the bag.”

Matt glanced over at Ben. “How the fuck did you know that?”

Ben shrugged. “No fucking clue. Probably Chaya in a pub quiz or some shit.”

Luke squinted at his phone. “He’s right. Something to do with the Greek goddess Nike.”

Jase groaned. “I’m going to shove my size twelve Nikes up someone’s arse in a minute. You might well be the most boring twats on the planet.” He looked over at Alex. “Except you. You’re your own special sort of uniqueness.”

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