Page 72 of Matthew

Matt stepped back to give Irene Jonson centerstage. Her voice, the clearest, sweetest soprano he’d ever heard when she wasn’t belting at full volume, took up the second verse.

“I’ll just sail away

Reach for what

I can have today

Pretend I’ve paid

The wage

Of your endless

Brutal rage”

They sang the chorus together, the Rickenbacker crying over the chamber orchestra and backing rimnastin band touring with Matt as Casual Innuendo’s opening act.

“Can’t forgive

What you did

The hateful war

Your vicious bid

Can’t forgive

No matter what I do

Can’t forgive

So I’ll forget you.”

The audience was singing too, a mixture of thousands of Earthers and Kalquorians, as well as various aliens who’d come to Kalquor’s capital to see the show. Matt was amazed at how far some fans had told him they’d come at the meet and greet earlier that day. He’d had no idea his song “Can’t Forgive You, So I’ll Forget You” was charting on other worlds, including Adraf, Dantovon, Beonid, and Joshada. His latest release “Lost in the Vastness” was currently climbing the Kalquorian charts, where his first already sat at number one. The audience had known the words to it too.

Their roar filled his ears as the song died out. He applauded Irene, and she applauded him as the crowd clapped for them both. He glanced to the wings, where his clan and Irene’s shouted their approval. Their shared manager Dramok Parlek gave them a noncommittal wave, but a grin stretched his face. It was the ultimate in praise from the perpetually harried man.

They took their bows, and Matt and his band left the stage. The crew converged and set up for Casual Innuendo’s show.

Irene kissed his cheek and yelled as she dashed off to change for her set. “You knocked them dead, Matt! In another year, you’ll be headlining your own arena tour.”

He grinned at her retreating back. He didn’t know if he’d fill arenas the way her band did, but he appreciated the success he’d found. The fact he was singing with Irene Fucking-Goddess-of-the-Universe Jonson in front of thousands of people who liked his songs was incredible.

He handed off the Rickenbacker to his tech, hovering to witness it stowed safely in its travel case. It was as incredible as he’d hoped, and Kom, who acted as his personal security, still joked about coming in second to it.

Matt had finally told him, “That’s untrue. I’d swing it at Valter’s skull for you.”

It was anI love youperfect for a Nobek. Kom had been especially affectionate since.

Matt joined his clan and manager to watch Casual Innuendo perform. He and Kom had agreed the best perk of touring with the iconic band was seeing every show. After four months of visiting city after city on Kalquor for the first leg, the concerts hadn’t gotten old. If there’d been no pyro, no vid show behind the band, no stage with moving parts that changed its look every three songs, the music itself would have been enough to captivate them.

Avir and Masok attended as many shows as they could while the tour remained on the planet. Their work kept them busy, but they made extra effort. They were huge supporters of Matt’s career, but Masok had admitted he would go crazy when the tour moved off-planet. Matt and Kom would be gone for weeks at a time as they traipsed through the galaxy promoting the music.

Casual Innuendo ended up doing three encores. Then the performers hit the showers and headed to the private after-show party at Den of the Departed.

Matt was experiencing an adrenaline rush he knew would last most the night. It was the same after each show. The high of performing, of rousing the crowd, meant he’d probably not tire until nearly dawn.

He’d also gotten good news earlier that day. Not only had Kom tracked down Matt’s former boyfriend Lucas and his childhood music teacher, but both were healthy and living on Haven. Lucas was the companion to a clan too, and quite happy. He and Mr. Kirby, who’d ignited Matt’s passion for playing, were excited to attend a concert on Haven as Matt’s guests.

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