I share a look with Carlos, wondering what the hell is going on. Tony manages a solo artist named Jax Night, and a group called Three X. I wonder who did what.
“Yes, sir,” Evan replies.
“What did he do?” Sky asks, bringing all eyes to him.
Evan looks furious that he would open his mouth, but Sky’s known for saying whatever the hell he wants.
Kit stares at him with a clenched jaw, his face still red. “Nothing. He didn’t do a fucking thing. Especially his job.” Kit pins Evan with a look and points at us. “You need to make sure you keep them in check, otherwise they’re gonna do something that gets you in trouble.”
“Oh. Yes, sir. These are good guys. They wouldn’t do anything to get me or your label in trouble.”
Evan shoots us a look, gritting his teeth like a mom threatening her kid in public. Evan’s typically a good guy, but he definitely gets frustrated with us from time to time. He’s in his early forties, and has no wife or kids, so he’s a workaholic one hundred percent of the time.
“Give me the numbers,” Kit huffs.
Evan goes over the ticket sales for the tour we just went on. We sold out every location, so neither of them should have anything to complain about. I tune them out as Evan rattles off album equivalent units, which songs were on what charts and for how long.
I don’t bother listening, because all I can think about is how am I supposed to tell them I’m gay when Kit’s head is already about to explode. Evan would strangle me for not telling him first and going straight to the man in charge.
Sky hits my knee with his, getting my attention.
“Are you?” he asks quietly, jerking his head in their direction.
“I don’t know. Terrible timing, right?”
Evan clears his throat, staring right at me and Sky, which shuts us up.
“So what’re we thinking for the next album? Can we manage a release by November?” Kit asks.
“We can get it done, sir,” Evan the ass kisser says, like he actually has anything to do with creating music.
“Yeah? Boys?” Kit asks, running his hand along the side of his white hair, making sure it’s perfectly in place.
“We have some songs ready, but I didn’t think we’d need another album ready this year,” Sky says.
“Were you not informed of what was expected?” Kit questions, moving his glare from us to Evan.
Evan laughs nervously. “Of course they were, sir. They’re fast writers, we can have it done.”
“Before Christmas,” Kit says, moving to sit in his chair. “That will be five albums in five years, and then we can discuss your contract.”
“And the next tour?” I question. “When is that supposed to be?”
“You need to ask your manager,” Kit replies gruffly, looking at his computer screen.
“Sir, do you think anything needs to change stylistically?” Evan asks. “I think they’re good. They’ve evolved a little, but not so much that they’ve alienated their original fan base.”
“Based on their sales numbers and how they’re holding steady on the music charts, I wouldn’t change too much.”
“Right. That’s what I was thinking,” Evan says.
“Great. I have another meeting,” Kit says, dismissing us.
When we stand up, I decide in that moment to just go ahead and tell them.
“Uh, sir?” I say, taking a step toward his desk. “I have something I need to tell you. Both you and Evan, actually. It’s pretty serious and. . .”
I stop talking when Kit looks up at me and releases an annoyed sigh as he rubs his temple. “You haven’t told your manager this news?”
Evan rushes over to me. “No, he hasn’t, and he won’t tell you now. I’ll talk to him and if it’s something you need to know, we’ll make another appointment.”
“No, I need to tell you now,” I say, yanking out of his grip.
“So help me God, Merrick, if you don’t walk out of this office right now I will ruin your life,” Evan mutters quietly near my ear. “We’re gonna go. Have a good day, sir,” Evan says to Kit, pushing me toward the door.
I spot Sky and he gives me a slight shake of his head, telling me to let it go for now.
Storming out of the office, I head to the stairwell, not wanting to be in the elevator with Evan right now. All I can think about is how I promised Ali I would be coming back with good news. I told him over and over again that I was going to tell them. And now he’s going to be pissed because I’m, once again, going to look like a piece of shit liar.
When I finally reach the lobby, I find the guys waiting for me sans Evan.
“You good?” Jay asks.
“Where’s Evan?”
“He said he didn’t have time for your tantrum and to call him later.”
“Fuckin’ dick.”
“I know you’re disappointed,” Carlos says, “But you tried. It was just bad timing. Kit was already pissed, and had you told him, he probably would’ve reacted even worse just because he was already mad.”
“It’s way more than being disappointed,” I say, running my hands through my hair. “This shit is gonna kill me. This ruins everything.”
They share glances, not sure what I’m talking about. I didn’t tell them about my promise to Ali, and they don’t know all the details about what we’ve been through, so they couldn’t get it. But shit, I don’t know how I’m supposed to face Ali now. How can I explain what happened without looking like someone just grasping at excuses.
“I gotta go,” I huff. “I’ll catch y’all later.”
I storm out of the building, hail a cab, and go straight to the airport. In the time it takes me to get back home, I hope I find the right thing to say to Ali, and I hope more than
