Chapter Twenty-Four

Grey practiced in the studio in his apartment, listening to the track in his headphones while he adjusted the levels on the mixer to blend in the next song. Instead of a smooth transition, he ended up with something that would make people shudder, not dance. Or boo him. And he’d deserve it. Fuck! In three days, he’d be at the 1 Oak club in West Hollywood with a crowd in front of him. He couldn’t show up for his Saturday performance sounding like an amateur.

He needed sleep. He needed Cori.

“This is our second chance, Cori…”

“No. This is your second chance…not mine.”

Cori wouldn’t even hear him out about how their relationship could work. She’d told him to leave. And he’d witnessed that stubborn look on her face and guardedness in her eyes enough times to know she’d made up her mind. There was nothing he could do about it.

Grey scrubbed his hand down his face and mentally shook off the frustration and despair he’d felt at that moment, still lingering inside of him now. Cori had made her choice, and it wasn’t him. Just like years ago, they were headed in different directions.

The next afternoon in California, he sat across from Angus at a four-top table in a trendy restaurant in Los Feliz, known for its innovative Californian fare.

The buzz of conversation, the clinking together of glasses at the bar, and silverware on dishes echoed off the high wood-beamed ceiling.

The wiry thin agent forked in a big bite of crispy fish with capers in brown butter sauce. The way his neck rose from his charcoal jacket and crew neck combo made the clothes look almost too big for him.

Grey had ordered the same meal, but the more his newly hired booking agent talked about the upcoming touring schedule for the next six months, the more Grey lost his appetite. But after what Angus had organized, he’d definitely earned his 15 percent.

Angus paused between bites. “I also got a call from the Empire Garage and Control Room. Since that’s in your backyard, I think we definitely need to squeeze it in after your appearance at Liv Miami and before the Haven in Atlantic City.”

The mention of the Haven sat in Grey’s stomach, along with the coldness of the water he’d just drank. That’s where he’d been when he’d gotten the news about Liam. He wasn’t looking forward to being there again, but he’d get through it. He was learning that getting over losing someone took time.

Angus tapped on the screen of his cell phone that was lying on the table. “I’ll shoot you some details later today, as well as what I have in mind for an international tour. Once you look it over, tell me what you think. I also need to know how your personal life is going to fit into the schedule. The more I know up front, the easier it is for my assistant to build in flights, hotels, and passes for your girlfriend. And if there’s a spa or something that she’d like to check out at any of the places you’re going, let us know that, too. We can probably arrange it.”

“Cori isn’t…” Grey cleared this throat. “I don’t have a girlfriend.”

“Oh, from the way you were in a hurry to get back to Maryland, I thought you had something serious going on.” Angus swiped through more screens on his phone. “Well, if that ever changes, keep in mind what I mentioned. Other agents and managers might not think it’s important, but I know from experience the happiest performers are the ones who work hard at fitting their personal life into the equation.”

Angus went on to the next topic, music artists who were interested in collaborating with him. But Grey only half listened, envisioning what Cori traveling with him could have looked like.

He would have deejayed the best sets of his life. His inspiration wouldn’t have come from the crowd dancing and cheering for him to keep the music going, but knowing he’d see her when he got off stage.

Grey projected his thoughts into the future, based on the schedule Angus had planned for him. Flying on a plane to a gig. Living a false high on stage that would end as soon as his set ended and he got back to his hotel. Or he might have to hop right back on another plane that same night, hoping to get a few hours of sleep before the wheels touched down someplace else. And then he’d start the process all over again at the next destination, alone…and missing Cori.