Thanks for the care package. It was a really thoughtful gesture. The chocolate is yummy.
It’s accompanied by a picture of her holding a mug of tea with an open bar of chocolate on the table. I send her back a short reply.
You’re welcome.
Warmth spreads across my chest as I tuck my phone back in my jeans pocket, and I’m still smiling when I get home.
Ash calls over the following afternoon when we’re all lounging around the sitting room recovering from a late session in Bruxelles. She jumps onto the sofa beside me and leans into my ear. “She loved it. It was the perfect thing to do.”
“I’m glad.”
“Who knew you could be so romantic?” Ash smiles wider.
“It was only some tea bags and chocolate. Let’s not get carried away.”
“It’s the thought that counts, and you went to the trouble of washing her shirt too.” Ash has a swoony look on her face I haven’t seen in years.
All because I washed a shirt?Women are strange creatures.
“I’ve also convinced her to come out on Friday so you can ask her.” She waggles her brows.
“Ask who what?” Ro inquires as he carries a tray laden with biscuits and mugs of tea.
“Dil’s going to ask Viv out.”
I glare at my sister as Jamie snorts with laughter, and Ro’s frown deepens. I don’t know why my little bro is looking so pissed off when he’s shacked up with Zara now.
“What?” Ash shrugs, feigning innocence. “You didn’t say it was a big secret.”
“That was implied,” I deadpan, reaching for a mug.
“I never thought I’d see the day.” Jay’s smug grin expands when I flip him the bird.
“It’s not a big deal, and it’s not what we need to discuss.” I purposely change the subject. We didn’t get to talk about the manager issue on Friday because I left straight after our set.
“Ro and I spoke about it,” Ash says, dunking her digestive biscuit in her tea. “And I agree you should look for an experienced manager.”
“Ro should not have spoken to you without the rest of us,” I say through gritted teeth, shooting daggers at my meddlesome little brother.
“It makes sense, Dil.” Ash clings to my arm and snuggles into my side. “I love how loyal you are to me, but it’s my loyalty to all of you that means I’m A-okay with this. I want Toxic Gods to succeed, and if you get professional representation, they can steer you in a way I can’t.”
“You know us, and you’re smart,” I protest. “You’ll learn the ropes fast. I don’t think we should underplay the importance of having someone we trust acting on our behalf.”
“That’s a valid point, but how do we marry the two?” Conor says, surprising us all with his contribution. I learnt long ago that Con soaks everything up like a sponge. He rarely misses anything even if it seems like he’s living in his own little world. But it’s not often he speaks up.
“I was thinking maybe I could be mentored by the person,” Ash says, straightening up. “We could make it a condition of whatever management contract you sign so they have to show me the ropes. After I finish my degree, I’m considering doing an MBA, and then I could take over managing you in the future, when the timing is right.” Her gaze bounces between all four of us. “Unless things take off quickly, and then I can revise that plan.”
“I like it,” Jay says, and Conor and Ro bob their heads in agreement.
“I still think Ash is good enough, but I know when I’m outnumbered.”
“This is the right call, Dil.” Ash squeezes my arm. “Let me do some research. Find a few people I think will be a good fit, and then we can discuss whether to approach them now or wait until we have a concrete offer from a label.”
30
AGE 20
I’m sweating buckets by the time we finish our set, and I just need to get this over with now before I throw up. I was tempted to message Ciarán to ask if it’s normal to be this nervous asking someone out, but I’d get shit for it for eternity, so I nixed that idea. During our set, I worked hard not to constantly stare at Vivien, so as not to draw attention to her like I did on Paddy’s Day, but it’s hard because I just want to look at her all the time.
