Page 47 of Stage Dive: Short Stories & Novellas
I held up my hand.“Shut it.You’ve had your chance to speak.It’s my turn now.”
“Well, what do you think I should do?”asked Adam with a heavy sigh.
“This might be the first offer you’ve received, but it’s not going to be the only one.”
“Maybe.”
I looked to heaven.Honestly.“Try definitely.You’re talented.Why do you think he flew up from L.A.to impress you with his bling?”
Adrian’s hand flew to his chunky chain in mock outrage.Or maybe it was real.Whatever.His teeth and suntan sure as hell weren’t.Scarily white veneers and orange skin he most definitely had not been born with.Ugh.
“Anyone who would encourage you to sign something without legal advice is not someone you want to work with.”
“I was trying to save the boy money,” said Adrian.
“Yet an unscrupulous business person in this position might try to get him on a hook with a ridiculous offer he’d regret in the first five minutes.Don’t you think?”
Adam’s mouth edged down.“Shit.Now I don’t know what to do.”
“Ben will lend you his lawyer.Don’t worry.”I patted the poor boy on the arm.“I get that it seems exciting and a good opportunity.But you never rush in without knowing exactly what you’re signing up for.Never.Are we understood?”
He tipped his chin in acknowledgement.
“Are you seriously going to take the advice of a woman wearing a T-shirt covered in cartoon dogs with spaghetti in her hair?”spluttered Adrian.
I groaned and bent my head.“I thought I got it all out.Adam, can you please?”
“Sure.”He started picking among the strands of hair.Ah, the glamour.
“And they’re Super Puppies, not dogs.Get it right.”
“Can’t you just be my manager?”asked Adam, still busy with my hair.Guitarists’ fingers really came in useful sometimes.“You’re scary like him, but in a way I can handle.I mean, I can talk to you without getting completely fucking confused and wound up about everything.Plus, those festivals you recommended the other day would all be perfect.If you could get me booked.”
“You know, I bet I could.”
He grinned.“That would be awesome.Ah, think I got all the noodles.There’s a bit of sauce in there you’ll need to wash out.”
“Thanks,” I said.“Look, I haven’t really given serious thought to managing you.But let me mull it over, all right?”
On the other side of the table, Adrian’s face had turned an unfortunate shade of purple.“You want Martha to manage you?Are you out of your mind?She’s a secretary, for heaven’s sake.”
“Executive personal assistant, thank you,” I snapped.“And an extremely experienced one.So if you think during the years I worked with the band I wasn’t all over everything the guys did making sure they weren’t getting ripped off or messed around with, you are kidding yourself.”
“What exactly are you insinuating?”
“Oh, don’t get litigious,” I said.“You’re a great manager, Adrian.I’m not denying it.But you’re not necessarily the best fit for every performer.No manager possibly could be.”
The man’s eyebrows merged into one flat pissed-off line.
“Whatever Adam does, he needs to take the time to ensure he’s well informed as to his responsibilities and the consequences of any contract he signs.”I crossed my arms.“Wouldn’t you agree, Adrian?”
“W-well, of course no one wants to take advantage of him.”
“Of course not.”
“Right.Okay,” said Adam, exhaling hard.“I’ll read through it all and get some legal advice then get back to you.Thank you.”
Adrian just grunted.Talk about being an unhappy camper.
