Turning back to the phone, I swiped it open and brought up the photos from the night. Someone had taken a picture of me on the drums before I managed to settle my nerves, duringBoundand duringExist. The rest I had taken, including a selfie with Ora, Rand, Holland, and Maddox that Hailey just insisted I send her.
“Is…is that Nelson Powers?” Mel asked pointing weakly to the man in the kitchen holding a beer.
“Yes. The man is freakin’ hysterical in real life.” I took a minute to point out who everyone was, and both Mel and David were standing and looking with their mouths hanging open.
“Holy crap,” David whispered.
“It was completely unreal, and guys? They asked me to be in the band withinminutesof the third song. Just three songs and I was in.”
“Did you tell Alexei? Or Drew?”
“No! It’s one in the morning! How the hell could I have?”
“Text message?” David asked.
“I didn’t even think about my phone until nearly eleven, because Hailey and Dietrich had me set up secondary, public social media accounts. Twitter and Insta. They want me to start with the first post as that selfie on both, and had me set up an automatic posting app.”
We stood quietly looking at the selfie again.
I was in Robot Servant.
“What’s bothering you?” Mel asked.
Astute fucker. I glanced up and back at him. “I overheard something. I probably shouldn’t have. They were worried about bringing in a gay man.”
David chewed his lip. “Rudely? Were they derogatory?”
“The furthest thing from it,” I said, shaking my head. “In fact, someone yelled at someone for even thinking it. And whoever did the yelling, also knew queer culture. Could have been Austin, or maybe Nelson…”
Mel giggled. I raised an eyebrow. “You just called himNelsonlike you were besties.”
I elbowed the man in his ridiculous abs. I was sure he didn’t even feel it.
“So, not a negative way?”
“No…”
“And they apparently have no problem with the queer community, since you were there with Austin and his boyfriend.” David reasoned. “I hate to say it, but the hate is real—and that’s probably why they didn’t say anything in front of you. It shouldn’t be a concern since you’re an amazing drummer. But man, when the heteros get upseteros, it’s all over.”
The laugh slipped out. “If they were really worried, they would have asked and they wouldn’t have hired me.”
Mel patted my back. “Exactly. And you need to let some people know this is happening. Text Drew and Alexei, and maybe Gertie.”
“Before it hits the news stations,” I whispered. “God. I cannot believe this is real life…”
“It is, man,” Mel said. “And just in time for your graduation and time to get your own place.”
“Aaron, please tell me they gave you an advance?” David cocked his head.
“They are giving me…something. The terms Hailey laid out were beyond generous, but they said that I was just getting what Grig was getting.”
“Grig.” Mel covered his laugh with his hand.
I elbowed him, again, with no effect. “Will you stop? You have to get used to this, because the apartment I can afford to rent now? Involves you getting a space in it. I’ll even let you share a room. With a door.”
David laughed. “We have not kept you up.”
“No, but wouldn’t it be nice to have your own bedroom and a door?”
