Taylor put his guitar down. “Well, what did you think?”
“I dig it,” Jesse said and then kissed him.
“Same. That’s your next hit single right there.” Brendan leaned back against the piano, and, giving them a thumbs-up, he released a deep, gratifying sigh. “Those execs at UMG are gonna lose their fucking minds.”
“Just you wait.” Sloan proffered a smug grin, casually anchoring his hand on his hip. “We’ve got some tracks we’re still messing around with that are even better.”
“Sweet. I have aZoomcall with them on Monday.”
His thoughts froze. It occurred to him then. How did CJ know? Deals like this one are usually kept under wraps until the ink is dry, and the label makes an official announcement.
“Who else knows we’re in negotiations with Universal?”
Brendan’s head flinched back with a frown. “No one that I’m aware of, why?”
“CJ mentioned it to Gina.” With a shake of his head, Matt flicked the snaps open on his guitar case. “He told her a big label was looking to sign us.”
“Where’d she see him at?” Bo asked.
“Rossi’s.” Glancing over at their drummer, Matt explained, “Tony had her come by to pick up dinner to take to work, and he was there.”
“Sounds like an arranged meeting to me,” Bo surmised.
Funny thing was, he’d concluded the same.
“Trying to scare her off, was he?” Sloan chuckled as if the thought amused him.
“You think?” Matt shoved his guitar into its case and slammed the lid closed. “CJ told her I fuck men, and he had pictures of us together from the festival on his phone. He wouldn’t tell Gina how he got them, though.”
“Don’t be daft, mate.”
Taylor threw a sharp glance his way, which Matt rolled his eyes at.
“The wanker took the photos himself.”
No shit.
“How bad could they be?” Kit took a step toward him, then, with his eyebrows drawing together, he stopped and cocked his head. “CJ didn’t threaten her, did he?”
“No, I don’t think so.”
“Word was bound to get out. Nothing stays a secret for long.” Brendan’s hand came down on his shoulder, and he squeezed. “I wouldn’t worry about it.”
But he was worried. CJ had proven himself to be a slimy motherfucker who’d sacrifice anyone to get what he wanted. And what he wanted now was retribution. Matt wasn’t about to stand by and let him make Gina his pawn to get it.
Rubbing his fingers on his shirt, Kit bit at his lip. “Do you think CJ’s gonna try to fuck things up with UMG?”
“He can’t,” Brendan said without hesitation. “The guys at Universal have wanted Venery for years. They would’ve reached out sooner, except they didn’t want to deal with CJ. They can’t stand him.”
“Heh, and the dude thinks he did so much for us.” Exhaling a heavy breath, Kit sneered. “The bastard held us back.”
Brendan nodded. “I’m told CJ’s still tight with your old label. He’s managing a couple of new bands for them.”
Well, that explains a lot.
Suckers.
Sloan’s lip slowly curled. “Makes me want to sign with UMG even more.”
