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Xander rolls his eyes spectacularly at that. “Good luck. You never met Evie, did you?”
“I’ve spoken to her… She…” I can’t get any more words out, trying to absorb what Tim just spat at me.
“It was a bigger bloodbath than James,” Xander puts it. “Called him Marcus at every opportunity.”
“Is that not your name?” Tim says confused.
“Not to her, no,” I say. “Evie’s a no go. Just leave her out of this.”
“Can we talk about the band?” Tim says.
“Which one, ours or theirs?” I huff out a sardonic breath. “Because James said he isn’t signing with us. Told me to stay the fuck away.”
And he’s right to demand that.
Fuck.
Gabe makes a moaning noise and sits heavily on the settee. “I’ve ruined it for everyone.” He’s literally rocking backwards and forwards.
“Gabe, calm the fuck down man.” Levi pulls him in for a bro hug. “That kid would be an idiot not to sign that deal, just because Marcus is an imbecile. He seems pretty switched on to me, they all do.” He looks at Tim then back at Gabe. “It’ll be fine, they’re not stupid.”
I look at Levi, “You think?”
“Yeah, your boy’s no dummy. And I heard him telling the rest of ‘em he’d had his uncle’s lawyers look over the pre-contract terms. Like I said, ‘switched on.’”
“He’s doing what? And going where?” I hear Xander bellow. I look over to see he’s on the phone. “How’s he paid for all that?” He waits for whoever is on the other end to answer and then starts to laugh. “No way. You lot are suckers!” Something else is said and he responds, “Ok, I’ll let him know.”
I wait to see if it's good news. “Who?” I look at him.
“Jude,” he says and shrugs,
“Really? I thought he’d hate me even more?”
“Apparently not. James has booked a Vegas tour, with full helicopter transfers. Grand canyon and crazy suites in a hotel. He’s arranged by phone with Kasey Becker to still go to his party, so you could ambush him there if you wanted. He’s booked yacht tours, dune racing, a race track day…” he’s ticking his fingers off. We’re all staring at him. “Seems your boy is moving on, Marcus,'' he says, grinning. “Oh and a business class flight home on the fifth.”
“For them all?” asks Tim.
“Oh yes. One goes, they all go.”
“How’d he get Kasey’s number?” Tim asks.
“He’s a Greystone,” I say, “nothing’s private in their world. I’ll give Kasey a call and see what the lay of the land will be at the party. I don’t want to go and cause more of a scene than I already have, and make things worse.”
I try James’s number again, in hope rather than expectation, and he answers. I’m so surprised I’m unable to say anything.
“What do you want? Stop calling me, Marcus,” he says mildly. God I hate that tone of voice. Obviously learned as a tactic from them.
“James, can we meet please?”
“I’m going to Vegas tomorrow so I won’t have time.”
“I thought you were going to Kasey’s party.” I cringe as I say it, hoping he’s not offended I know.
“Change of plans. We want to do Vegas on New Year's Eve.”
“Kasey’s party is a big deal.” I’m not sure why I’m trying to talk him into it. I don’t really think it’s a good place for us to meet.
“Yeah, if you’re old,” he says with a clear shrug of his shoulders I can feel down the line. Levi smiles and looks away. “It’s a bit has been,” he goes on. “Everyone’s over thirty, ancient, Z-list city.” He’s goading now, and I can hear the smirk in his voice.
