The only familiar face that notices me and strides over with a friendly smile is Arun. He’s dressed in one of his usual navy-blue suits with an expensive watch on his left wrist. His brown skin shines with a healthy glow, like he just got back from vacation. A glass of his favorite scotch is in his clutches, and the smell of it wafts over me as he comes to stand by my side.
“How’ve you been? You haven’t returned any of my calls.” Arun takes a deep sip of the amber-colored liquid. “Did you lose my number?”
I don’t look at him as I answer, “No. Just didn’t know we had anything to talk about anymore.”
He sighs deeply and I don’t want to hear it. Don’t need another lecture from him. “Reid, you’re choosing to be difficult here. I’m still your manager, if you want me to be.”
“Why would I need a manager anymore?”
“If you want to do any projects again,” he says and gestures toward Nikolai. “Like this, or in other ways.”
“I’m not going to do a solo album,” I laugh and take a sip of my own drink. The ice is cool against my lips and I like the bite of it.
“Fine, then. Maybe not as your manager, but as your friend,” he offers.
“Friend,” I mutter. “Why the hell would you want to be friends with a washed-up client?”
He turns to face me and narrows his eyes critically. “A washed-up client? Is that truly what you think of yourself?”
I motion to everyone around, most of which haven’t even tried once to engage me with since I got here. Like I’m nothing without my brothers, my band. Now that I’m on my own and Nikolai has stepped out without the three of us, I’m nothing. “Do you see anyone else here trying to talk to me? To network with me?”
“Well I certainly don’t see you trying to do it with them either.”
I shake my head. “Whatever. What’s done is done.” My teeth clench so hard they’re on the verge of cracking. He doesn’t get it. There’s no going back. And the guys have all moved on with their lives for the better. And then there’s me.
Arun studies me silently. I feel his stare as I look around the room in the crowd that I don’t belong to anymore. Never really did.
He tosses back the last of his drink and sets it on the bar with a pointed thunk. His voice is chilled when he speaks. “You were never just a client, Reid. None of you were to me.” He tucks a hand in his pocket and walks off, leaving me alone in the corner.
There’s a break in people hounding Nikolai, so I go overand chat with him for a few minutes until Aspen starts blowing up my phone. I step away to check it.
Penny: I know you’re busy tonight but I need to talk to you
Penny: Can you call me when you get a chance please?
Penny: It’s urgent
Worry knots my throat. She isn’t working tonight so she shouldn’t need a ride, but what if she went out anyways?
Me: Everything okay?
Penny: My student loans are gone
Penny: They were paid in a lump sum apparently?
Penny: Do you know anything about this??
Penny: You’re the only person besides my roommates who knows how much I had
Penny: You better not have Reid I swear…
Penny: Hello????
That’s what she’s worried about? I don’t have time for this right now.
Me: I took care of them. We’ll talk about it later.
I tuck my phone away, which immediately starts buzzing again, but I ignore it.
