AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I’d left that life, and my ex, a long time ago.
It wasn’t who I was, and never had been, but I’d been stupid, broke, and in love. We’d needed the money we made—my ex had participated as well—because so much of the club circuit charged fees to the bands who performed. I’d done what I’d thought I had to do for a chance at stardom, but it never occurred to me it might come back to haunt me.
“How many people did you audition before you settled on Devyn?” Lara asked, sticking her phone up to his face.
Settled?
Gee, thanks, lady.
Kingston seemed to feel the way I did and he sat back, a forced smile on his face. “We literally got about five thousand audition tapes. Our management company whittled it down to the ten we invited to audition in person.”
“Wow.” Lara looked at me. “How does that feel, knowing you beat out so many worthy, talented musicians?”
I couldn’t be sure, but that felt like a veiled insult, and I took a moment to think about how to reply. “I’ve been a musician my whole life,” I said quietly. “I have a degree from Berklee and—”
“You have a degree from Berklee?” Lara seemed skeptical. “When did you graduate?”
“Five-and-a-half years ago.” I met her gaze.
“Have you ever played in a band before?”
“I have. Back in Boston. But I chose studio work when I came home to L.A. The work is steady and there’s less discrimination.”
“Discrimination?” Lara cocked her head. “What does that mean?”
I itched to give her the definition, but that probably wouldn’t win me any points.
“As a woman in the industry, sometimes it’s difficult to navigate those waters. Things can get murky but there’s less of it in a studio setting.”
“Yet now you’re here. Is it true Carter was the one who recommended you to the band?”
I froze, my eyes momentarily meeting Kingston’s.
“I’m not sure where you heard that,” Kingston said carefully, “because it’s not public knowledge, but yes, it’s true.”
“Is it true you and Carter had a one-night stand?” she asked me.
Crap.
This was the kind of bullshit I’d been talking about.
No one would think twice if Kingston or Z had slept with another musician, but there was a double standard for me.
“That’s really none of your business,” I replied, frowning.
“Well, if he was trying to help some random woman he was sleeping with get ahead, it seems like people should know.”
“Why? Have you slept with any fellow journalists? Do I need to know which ones before I give you an interview?”
She had the grace to flush and look away when Dennis chuckled.
“I think this line of questioning is unnecessary,” Z said after a moment. “Unless we all want to talk about everyone we’ve ever slept with, including the three of you—” He motioned to the journalists. “We need to move on.”
The quiet journalist, whose name was Oliver, finally spoke up. “My question has to do with the upcoming tour. Dorian mentioned eight weeks in Europe. Is that confirmed?”
“Absolutely,” Kingston said. “And we’re stoked. We have some surprises lined up I think audiences are going to like, something a little different since this is a mini-tour.”
“Is that a tryout for Devyn?” Lara asked. “You don’t normally tour for such a short amount of time.”
