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Of course, since I had no practical knowledge of arranging accidents or that kind of thing, it was all just a crazy dream. I'd probably get caught and have to spend time in jail which would be even worse than working for Chuck.
After I finished all the paperwork, I headed up the stairs to the band room. All the extra lighting and props that Alex had put in had already been cleared away. The room looked exactly as it had before he’d played here.
Razer wouldn’t do any of that. He wouldn’t stand over people, making demands. He'd just let people get on with their jobs, trusting that they'd do well. While that was more comfortable, after seeing Alex's performance, I could see why Alex would be so exacting. You couldn't create something so spectacular without putting in the work. Maybe what Razer needed was a manager who'd do the work for him. It'd never happen if it was up to him. He'd play in this club for the next however many years instead of reaching his full potential. It was a waste really.
Doing things for the love of it was a noble way, that's for sure, but a bit of ambition never hurt either.
I ran my finger over the soundboard. Hamish hadn't been happy about being replaced but Alex had smoothed it over with him somehow. Neither of them said anything about it but I think hard cash had changed hands. If you were getting paid to not come to work, I guess your pride can deal with it. Hamish would never tell anyone, of course, and neither would Alex.
"Violet?"
I spun around and Alex stood in the middle of the room as though I'd conjured him up with my thoughts.
He walked over to me, the strike of his boots on the wooden floor clicking loudly and echoing around the empty room.
"You don't look happy." He lifted my chin and smiled at me. "You should be riding high on this wave of success."
His touch warmed my body but I shook him off. That was the gesture of a boyfriend and I didn’t want him thinking he could do that.
"I guess. It's just I'm worried. Chuck is talking about selling again."
"Would that be so bad?" he asked. "He's got no idea about the potential of this place. A new owner might be the best thing for it."
Strangely, Alex didn't assume that the buyer would want to tear the place down and redevelop it.
I shrugged. "It'd be weird. Even though Chuck's a jerk, he lets me do what I want. I've built this place into something worthwhile. I don't want things to change."
Alex leaned on the side of the sound desk and gave me a strange look.
"You might enjoy it."
I didn't want to get into this with him. "I should get back to work," I said and walked toward the door.
"Hey," he called after me. "How are ticket sales going for Saturday night?"
"Can't tell you," I called over my shoulder. "It's top secret."
Actually, the ticket sales worried me. Despite Razer being so popular, the ticket sales lagged way behind what they'd been for Alex. That could be because of a number of things. Alex's fans were more likely to buy tickets ahead of time than Razer's crowd. Alex did seem to have a very organized fan club, while Razer's fans were more the leave it to the last-minute type. That might still mean a huge crowd for him on the night. Or it might not.
After the excitement of Alex’s performance, the regular band line-up that night was an anti-climax. There was nothing spectacular, nothing at stake. Just guys on stage thumping out some tunes. They were solid but that was all.
I sat at the bar, twirling my empty glass in my hand.
“Another drink?” asked Babs.
“Just a Coke,” I said. “Otherwise I’ll fall asleep.”
Chuck had mentioned that he might drop back in at some point in the night so I couldn't even go off for a nap.
I propped my head up on my hand and tried to watch the band but my thoughts kept going back to what Chuck had said. Should I be talking to people? Putting out feelers? I sure as hell didn’t want to start building things up somewhere else but that’s what I’d need to do.
The band had finished their set before I realized. I couldn’t even tell you want kind of music they’d played. It left no impression on me. I had to focus, they’d want some kind of feedback at the end of the night.
I might be able to fill the emptiness inside me with cupcakes or a burger but I didn’t think it was that kind of emptiness. Still, as soon as I could get out of the club, I’d go for a burger run.
Across the room, I glimpsed someone who looked like Razer. I turned around to pretend I hadn’t seen him because that was the easiest thing to do but I twitched to turn back around.
Something bubbled up inside me. I could go over to him.
