I nod, grabbing my mother’s gift and heading for the garage. “Good. Right. Until tomorrow then.”
Chapter 17
Sin
Things were going so well. And then Iri had to ask me to show my work to the band.
Which means having to be upfront about my designs.
Since I only have very basic prototypes to show them, if I want to give them an idea of what I can do for them, that means my only real option is showing them what I used to do.
Which means opening a whole can of worms I’d rather bury in an unmarked grave.
But I knew what I was doing, signing up for this job. I knew it would involve getting into things I’ve kept sealed for the past five years and hoped never to think of again.
And I’m sticking to my resolution to quit hiding and stop burying my head in the sand.
Maybe Dorian’s warning about Cal and Micah has stuck in my head more than I’d like to admit.
After only knowing them for about ten days, we’re just getting to know each other and exploring things. We should be at the stage where I’m still trying to show off my good side. Not where I tear myself open and show them my greatest shame.
I spend a sleepless night and most of the morning hitting my head against the wall, trying to wrack my brains for a way I might get through this meeting without revealing the scarred parts of my soul.
... and coming up empty.
The time ticks down and when I can’t hold it off any longer, I grab my sketches and my box of prototypes and ideas and head over to their practice room.
I find the guys sitting together in the cozy little area just outside their practice space. From what I’ve seen so far, it’s not all that common for the four of them to spend time together outside of practices, so I guess I’ve caught them at a good time.
Cal shoots me a soft smile as soon as he spots me hovering, and Micah’s face breaks into a massive smile as he pulls me into the room.
“Hey, are you hungry?” he asks. “We were gonna shower and then maybe see if I can try my hand at cooking a pizza without ending up with charcoaled bits this time.”
I swallow and clear my throat before I can speak properly. “I, er, have some ideas to run by you guys first.”
“Sure thing.” His smile widens and my gut churns. His smile falters and I realize he’s not wearing his cuff and I’m blasting my uncertainty and negative feelings at him.
Shit.
“You okay?” he asks quietly enough for my ears only.
“Just... nervous,” I mumble back.
It’s not the entire truth, but it’s honest enough.
He nods and plants himself onto one of the sofas as I lay out my designs and my notes and then whip out my laptop.
Iri’s sitting in that super masculine pose where he has his legs spread wide. He’s leaning back with his hands cupping the back of his head, like he’s fully open and listening to what I have to say.
A jolt of nerves shoots through me, and I lick my lips.
“So your gigs have got a few points where we can really pump people up. As the audience comes in and they’re buzzing with anticipation—we can enhance that.” I swallow hard. “Before you come on stage and they’re waiting, we want them practically salivating over you. So, I was thinking at the moment the lights all dim and Cal slipson stage, setting up this steady war drum beat—I’ll push through adrenaline at that point so it really gets their hearts pumping.” I glance around while avoiding everyone’s eye to see if they’re following.
When Iri nods and sits back in his seat, with a, “Sounds good.” I keep going.
“Then, as you start the first song, this shimmering, golden haze will fill the venue, and confetti will burst out from the sky in time with the music. I was also thinking the same devices can be set to have different effects raining from the sky—sometimes different light effects, sometimes holographic images. But they’ll all get paired with a specific feeling.
“It might be excitement, other times a sense of safety and contentment so they can explore their reactions to your rawer songs. We’ll boost them up so they feel like they could rule the world, then boost their empathy so they feel connected with every other person in the venue.” I lick my lips again, pausing to look around again. “I was also thinking I’ll rig something up so none of the venue staff or gig employees are affected by my magic. H-how does that sound?”
