“You were in my office,” Brody said dryly.
Con rolled his eyes. “I thought it was the bathroom, obviously.”
“How drunk were you?” Matt asked as he threw back another shot.
“I feel like that’s one of those rhetorical questions that bears no answering,” I put in.
“Oh. And BIG NEWS,” Brody shouted over the rising laughter and back-and-forth digs. He clapped me on the shoulder. “For those of you who don’t know yet. I’m managing the new band Ash and Summer are putting together, and Matt’s just joined the lineup.” He pointed at Matt now, and everyone turned to stare.
Of course, the members of Dirty already knew, but this was news to some people in the room. There were smiles and shouts of approval. A bunch of guys came over to give me and Matt hugs and back slaps and stuff.
“So, who else is gonna be in this band?” Zane asked.
“We don’t know for sure yet,” I said. “We’re in talks with a few people, you know how it goes.”
When I figured I could get away with it, I glanced across the room at Xander. In response, he shook his head and sipped his drink. But at least it wasn’t aNo chance in hell, assholehead shake; more of aYou really are a persistent bastard, aren’t you?head shake.
“Ash is being modest,” Brody said, slurring just a little. I’d seriously never seen him this drunk. But apparently, even drunk, Brody could talk business. “We’ve been putting out a lot of feelers. Did a photo shoot with Ash and Summer last week, and we’ll be doing a PR push to generate a little buzz and let Ash’s fans know he’s not going anywhere. The way I see it, it’s pretty much up to Ash and Summer and Matt to pick who they want to work with.”
“I’d love it if that turns out to be the case,” I said.
“And what’s the new band called?” Seth asked.
“It’s gotta be called the Players,” Dylan spoke up, “obviously.”
I threw him a look. “Have you been talking to Summer?”
“Yes,” he said. “And it’s a great name. Use it before someone else does.”
“I second that,” Brody said, “exuberantly. You may not like it, but you’re the face of this band, Ashley Player.” He grabbed my face roughly in his hand, digging his fingers into my cheeks, and the guys around me laughed. “And just look at that fucking face!”
“Jesus,” I muttered, “you are drunk.”
“Me, too,” Matt said, raising his glass. “Thirds. I third that.” And then everyone was cheering, and toasting our new band with a round of shots that were passed around.
Someone put a shot in my hand.
“To the Players,” Brody said, and I reluctantly drank.
When I caught Dylan’s eye again, I shook my head as he grinned.
* * *
Later, I got Xander more-or-less alone, off to the side of the games room.
“So, how’re things going with your band?” I asked him. I knew the Steel Trap tour was all wrapped up, that he’d been back from the road for a while now. And while he kept avoiding talking shop with me whenever I saw him, I didn’t see any good reason I couldn’t snap him up.
I’d held back on pushing it lately, while we focused our efforts on Matt. But now that that seemed pretty locked down, it was time to look Xander Rush in the eye—and get a straight fucking answer.
“Not great,” he admitted.
“Perfect time to join a new band,” I pointed out. “No point starting work on some new album with a band you’re just gonna leave.”
“Unless I don’t leave,” he said, sipping his drink.
“You’re totally gonna leave,” I said. Because by now, I’d personally asked everyone in Dirty about Xander’s camaraderie, or lack thereof, with his band on the Dirty tour.
Everyone, across the board, said they got the feeling he was unhappy with Steel Trap.
