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“They joined us for the last three songs, but Dramok Sherv said they’d gotten here in time to see the whole show. They hung out in the back so their manager could observe without you noticing. He was afraid his presence would throw you off in the middle of your set. Nice of him, huh?”
“Sure. Great.” Had Parlek decided he wasn’t interested after the fourth original tune, so it didn’t matter if Matt fucked up the fifth?
“Matt?”
“Yeah, I’m, I’m ready.” Like hell he was. The backstage area rocked. “Did he say what he thought about the songs?”
“Who? Oh, the manager, Dramok—?”
“Parlek.”
“I don’t know. I was too busy clapping blisters on my hands to talk to him. You sounded amazing. As usual.” Masok grinned and grabbed Matt’s bicep. “Come on, everyone’s waiting for you.”
Matt’s knees were watery, and he was unable to resist being tugged from backstage to face the outcome. His mind race desperately as they approached the table, where Kom and Avir spoke animatedly with the band and Parlek.
Maybe if Matt told him he was still working on the songs, maybe if he begged for another chance to audition, maybe if he slipped and fell and broke a bone so he could play the sympathy card…
“Matt!” Irene waved enthusiastically, as if she tried to attract his attention from a mile off instead of a few feet away. “Matt, you were stellar tonight!”
The whole group stood. Avir and Kom grinned from ear to ear, as if the world wasn’t teetering on the brink of collapse.
“Great job. Incredible new tunes,” Sherv added, and Jemi tossed in a beaming, “Amazing show!” Rusp nodded his big, shaggy head and lifted a bottle of bohut to him.
“Thanks, everyone. What a great surprise to see you here.” Matt was afraid to look at Parlek. He did his best to hide behind Kom without looking as if he did so.
“Catching your show was at the top of the list for our break.” Irene had dodged around the Nobek to hug Matt, as if they were old friends. He would have been delighted at the attention from Irene Musical-Fucking-Goddess-of-the-Universe Jonson if he hadn’t been so freaked out.
“Yes, very impressive. Worth delaying my vacation to Plasius for.”
Matt’s knees wobbled again as Dramok Parlek eased his way through Kom and Avir.
“God’s stones, you’re whining about your holiday again? You’re losing only a day to witness Matt’s greatness. A day!” Irene, in five-inch heels, was eye-to-eye with Parlek. “Admit it, getting the chance to hear him live would have been worth your whole damned trip.”
Parlek had postponed a holiday to Plasius to catch Matt’s show? Had Irene insisted? His nausea returned. The manager was probably pissed off to miss part of his vacation on top of Matt’s poor performance.
“I said it was worth it.” Parlek rolled his eyes and pulled his handheld from a pouch on his belt. “Save me from her and let me sign you for representation. Have you finished recording those five original songs as a demo yet? I’ll send it to recording companies as soon as I return from vacation. Who should I send the contract to? You’ll no doubt want a lawyer to go over it before you sign.”
It took Matt several seconds to realize Irene and her clan were fist-bumping, Avir was beaming, and Masok was hugging him while Kom cheered, “Congratulations, Mattie!”
The truth hit home when Avir told Parlek, “Send the contract to me. I don’t believe my lawyers are versed in entertainment agreements, but they’ll know someone who is.”
Matt blinked at Parlek. “You’re signing me? You want to manage me?”
Laughter greeted his shock. Parlek grinned. “I realize I’m not the most complimentary of people—”
“He’s a firm believer in pointing out what you did wrong rather than what you got right,” Jemi agreed.
“—but your unique musical expression, your writing, your looks and presence are one of a kind,” Parlek finished. “You’re going to be huge, Matt Larsen.”
Matt gaped. They were looking at him expectantly, but his brain had ceased functioning. He grabbed for words and managed, “Okay. Thank you.”
More laughter. Parlek patted him on the shoulder. “Don’t worry. I get that a lot. Can I buy everyone a round of drinks to celebrate?”
Enthusiastic shouts answered him, and the band teased him about terrorizing his clients. Meanwhile, Kom, Avir, and Masok gathered to hug Matt.
“Don’t worry. If anyone tries to pressure you too much, I’ll take off their head. Even if it is someone as big a deal as Parlek,” Kom assured him.
“I can’t believe it. He liked me.” Matt’s brain was finally catching up to current events, and he was gobsmacked. “I didn’t fuck up.”
