After the fans took their places, Tyler easily spotted the music industry executives she’d invited. They were at the bar, flashing credit cards like magicians and charging drinks to their companies—bills disappearing into their artists’ recoupable expenses.
“All the experts are here,” Tyler said, and Kim nodded, wide-eyed.
Industry events were notorious for name-dropping and no-shows, but tonight? Everyone who mattered had actually shown up.
“What’shedoing here?“ Allie frowned, pointing her finger.
Tyler followed her gaze. “Who?”
“Fucking Tommy.” Allie faked a retch, clutching her stomach like she was about to hurl.
Allie and Tommy worked for the same booking agency, though they lived in different cities. Their mutual loathing made every interaction a minefield.
“I’m sure he’s just here to network,” Tyler said. “He passed on the band last year.”
“Sebastien put him on the list,” Kim muttered. “He asked for a plus one, but I shut that down.”
“Is Sebastard coming?” Allie scrunched her nose.
“You hate him too?” Kim asked.
Allie scoffed, staring at her screen. “You can’t trust the French.” She glanced at Tyler. “I’m surprised he’s letting you work with them.”
Tyler smirked. “As long as his other acts are bringing in money, he doesn’t care about my indie bands. He thinks it’s laughable.”
“Fucker,” Kim added.
“Did you guys hear?” Allie scrolled through her phone.
“Hear what?” Tyler asked.
“The Westgrays imploded.”
“No!” Tyler shrieked. “When?”
“Today,” Allie replied. “It’s on their socials.”
Kim held her hands in prayer. “Thank fucking god.”
“That was Sebastien’s only new act.” Tyler glanced at her screen.
Three missed calls.
Allie laughed. “Tommy’s too. I’m not going to lie. I’m not mad at it.”
A stir at the entrance told Tyler that Cary had arrived. She’d asked him about hiring a bodyguard in Vegas’s absence, but he’d refused outright. So, she’d given the venue’s security a heads-up as a workaround, ensuring they were prepared.
Tyler shot up her arm and waved. “Over here!”
Cary squeezed through the crowd, holding his beanie while people fell over themselves. “There’s a line around the corner,” he said.
“Hey, dude.” Kim nodded at her boss. “I’m going back to check on the band.”
“You’re cheating on me,” Cary said to his tour manager.
Tyler shouted over the din in the room, “This is Allie. She’s signing the band.”
“Wow! That was fast.” He extended his hand. “I’m Cary.”
