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My guy doesn’t do well with new people, does he? I thought with a smirk.
“You joining us to play the triangles? Maybe a little recorder action?” Viper said. I gave him a swift kick under the table, and he gave me a look that said, “What?” I knew all too well what it was like to be on the other side of Viper’s antagonizing, and I didn’t want to run off whoever this guy was before we had a chance to learn why he was here.
With his hands folded in front of him, Levi leveled his gaze at Viper. “My special’s the tambourine, but I only play when I’m really in the mood to bang.”
Slade and Jagger both snorted out laughs, and even I had to grin. Okay, so maybe this guy wasn’t as intimidated as I’d been.
“And on that note, meet our new manager,” Killian said. “When I put out feelers, almost everyone I talked to mentioned Levi’s name. He’s one of the best in the business, well respected, and—”
“Currently unemployed,” Viper said. “Why is that? I mean, if you’re one of the best.” A smile sweet as sugar crossed Viper’s smug lips, and it was all I could do not to slap my boyfriend upside the head. Damn menace.
“Viper—” Killian started, but Levi put his hand up.
“It’s fine. To answer your question, Viper, I’m currently managing the last two Grammy winners for Best New Artist. Rayven and Skulker. Maybe you’ve heard of them?”
As I glanced around the table, I saw the recognition spark in both Slade’s and Jagger’s eyes. We’d edged Rayven out for the top spot on the hot 100 chart, and every time I turned on the radio, Skulker was playing.
“Then it would seem like your hands are full,” Viper said. “The last manager we had was spread pretty thin with all the artists he picked up after us. We’re not looking to share.”
Levi nodded. “Understood.”
“Then I guess that settles that,” Viper said, giving a pointed look to Killian, who rolled his eyes, and then Viper went to stand up.
“If I were to agree to take you on, I’d forfeit my position with the others,” Levi said, halting Viper. I tugged on his arm, forcing him back in his seat as Jagger spoke up.
“Why would you do that?”
“I go where I feel inspired, and I like a challenge. And I do believe you five would be a challenge.”
“So you’d just drop the others? Not very loyal, are you?” Viper said.
The corner of Levi’s mouth twitched, whether from annoyance or from trying not to laugh at the way Viper continued to jab, I didn’t know. Had it been my first interview, I’d probably be hiding under the damn table, but Levi seemed to be holding his own.
“While we’ve had a successful working relationship, I was brought in on a temporary basis to help build their brands. As you can see, I more than exceeded expectations. I’ll be leaving them both in good hands if I choose to work with you.”
“If you choose?” Viper scoffed. “We’re the ones interviewing you. We’ll decide whether you stay or go.”
“On the contrary, Mr. Neil, I’m the one interviewing you. And I’ll decide whether to take you up on your terms or whether I leave you to settle for someone less than me.” Levi shrugged.
Jagger pointed at Levi, a grin on his face. “I like your confidence, man. But the question is, what can you do for us that we’re not already doing for ourselves? How do you plan to—what’s the word—elevate us?”
Like he’d been waiting for the chance to tell us his plan, Levi launched into a detailed play-by-play. How he’d, as Jagger said, “elevate us,” what he saw for our future, what he’d do on a day-to-day basis, and how he’d manage the tour and upcoming album release.
“And as for you two,” Levi said, pointing at Viper and me, “you need some serious PR work. You’re in quite the situation, and I’ve got just the team to smooth things out before it overshadows all the hard work you’ve done as a band.”
Even if I hadn’t agreed with anything else he’d said—which I had—that alone would’ve sold me. Having to leave my place or Viper’s place every day with a horde of reporters standing outside waiting had me wanting to stay locked up inside, and that wasn’t how I wanted to live my life. If Levi could calm down the press, I was all for it.
But next to me, Viper tensed, his body rigid and his eyes narrowed to slits that looked like they could shoot daggers.
Oh shit, I thought. Here we go.
Thirteen
Viper
I WASN’T SURE where Killian had plucked this Levi guy from, but as far as I was concerned, he could go back there, right fucking now. This interview—so far—hadn’t done jack shit to convince me that he was the right manager for Fallen Angel.
