“Friends, whatever. If you can persuade him to accept his Lifetime Achievement award, I’ll see that your little band plays on the idiot box.”
You’re an idiot box.
“He’s not accepting it?” she asked, shocked. The awards were for the fans and she couldn’t imagine him disappointing them by not showing up.
“He’s accepting it by video,” Sebastien said before clearing his throat. “I need him there in person, you know.”
In other words, Sebastien wanted the recognition for himself.
She shook her head. “Cary hates that kind of thing.”
“What do I hate?” The voice behind her sent needles down her spine. She instinctively turned her head toward him but didn’t smile.
“Cary!” Sebastien cried. “What are you doing here? I thought you had an interview this afternoon?”
“It got pushed to tomorrow,” he lied. “I had some things to take care of. Anyway, what do I hate?”
“Award shows,” Tyler said bluntly.
He stepped into the office and his cologne hit her smack in the face. It reminded her to start a petition to boycott Calvin Klein’s Obsession under a human rights violation.
Sebastien pointed at Tyler. “I told her if you accept your award in person I’d get her band on the live broadcast.”
Cary stared at her, eyes intense. “What do you think, Tyler?”
I think you should go back the way you came in.
“Maybe take a little time to think it over,” she suggested.
“What am I, in Foreigner?” he joked. “Fine, I’ll do it.”
“Wait, are you serious?” Sebastien asked, almost falling over.
“Saskatoon, right?” Cary asked.
“Right.” Sebastien nodded. “They’re offering to pay us an exorbitant amount.”
“Tell them I’ll do it for free,” he said. “But it’s on the condition that Yestown plays solo.”
“Why?” Sebastien asked.
“The awards pair artists together like supergroups, but nothing will ever top the Traveling Wilburys, so why bother?”
Tyler held back a laugh.
“Got a minute to help me with my speech?” Cary asked her, gold eyes sparkling in the light.
I can’t say no in front of Sebastien.
She nodded once.
“It’s settled then,” Sebastien said, no doubt cooking up ways to still earn a commission.
Tyler stood from her chair. “I heard Jamespoke only played new songs at their gig last night.” She loved tattling on them. “None of their hits.”
“What the fuck do I care?” Sebastien shrugged. “They’ve already paid us.”
Moments later Tyler and Cary left Sebastien’s office and walked down the hall in silence.
