Page 104

Life is about to get interesting.

Chapter Seventeen

Max

I took a drink from my water bottle and did a mental recap of the first part of the rehearsal. ‘Hallelujah’ was going to be a phenomenal song. And coupled with our covers of ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ and ‘Ain’t No Sunshine’, we’d have a few numbers to use as promo.

I want us to be huge. Or at least capable of leaving Grayson Bishop and his shiny singers in our dust.

On the far side of the studio, the others were huddled together, talking in low voices.

“That makes me nervous,” I muttered.

“What does?” Theo didn’t look up from the sheet music he was rearranging.

“Our little band are in cahoots about something. They’re plotting.”

Theo chuckled. “You have an overactive imagination. They’re probably organising another night out. They’re a very social lot.”

I peered over at them. “Well, it obviously works. Liam seems more relaxed. Oliver too. Or maybe they’ve both had better shifts recently.” I returned my attention to Theo. “Have you found us a sound engineer yet?”

“Possibly. There was one guy who stood out. He was originally a classical pianist, but he transitioned into audio engineering and production.” Theo glanced at me. “He’s got a reputation for pulling emotion from vocalists. His bio says he ‘coaxes their souls through the speakers’,” he air-quoted.

I blinked. “Very lyrical. Does he work for a particular company?”

Theo shook his head. “He’s freelance. Highly respected. I also got the impression he can be hard to connect with.”

“That could work in our favour. As long as he knows his stuff.” I drank some more water.

Theo cleared his throat, and just like that, I knew what was coming.

Attack is the best defence, right?

“And before you say it, no, I am not distracted,” I declared.

Theo simply arched his eyebrows. “I didn’t say anything,” he said in a mild tone.

“You were about to.”

“I wasn’t.”

“Liar. And don’t tell me I missed my cue again. I never miss cues.”

Across the room, Julian snorted. “Oh, you so did. You came in half a beat late on the harmony. I was about to ask ‘Who are you and what have you done with Max?’”

“Your mind was clearly in another postcode,” Elliott added. He grinned. “And I probably know which one.”

All of a sudden, nine pairs of eyes were focused on me.

Theo leaned back, his arms folded. “Is he tall?”

I met his gaze. “Excuse me?”

“Whoever was sending you those texts last week. You know, the ones you weren’t laughing at.” That raised chuckles and snickers. “So I ask again. Is he tall?”

“He’s not—” I stopped.

He isn’t going to let this go. And we had an audience now.