Page 9 of A Little Christmas! 4: Song
Gage tugged him down on the couch, stroked Cooper’s hair, and snagged the remote, pulling up a movie that they could enjoy together while their boy played with his new friend.
“We should talk about Christmas before it’s right on top of us,” Cooper said as he got comfortable. “And figure out if we want to go traditional or do something different.”
“You have something in mind?”
“Well, for starters, I thought it would be nice for Zachy if his Nana and her friend were able to join us,” Cooper admitted. “They’re both absolute riots and fabulous ladies to talk to. I can’t believe how easy it is to talk to them when we video chat.”
“Why?”
“Just kind of like today when Solo arrived. I just felt completely thrown when it came to starting off the conversation with her. I’m not used to feeling that way, at least, not at work.”
“Because you’re in your element there with people who come from similar backgrounds and educations as yours,” Gage replied. “You excel in the business realm because that’s where you’re comfortable but give it time and you’ll start to see where you have things in common with folks who know nothing about it. Sometimes I think that’s one of the problems with our worldtoday. So many people are just so rigid about staying in their lanes and never stepping outside of the bubbles they were raised in that they miss out on the rest of the world.”
“Yeah, seriously, and it sucked when I realized that I was one of those people. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate all the new things you and Zachy have introduced me to over the past year.”
“See, that’s why I love the music scene,” Gage said. “Because it brings people from all walks of life together to enjoy something they love. In the crowd it doesn’t matter if you’re a lawyer or a sanitation worker; you just rock out to the band and battle it out in the pit. It’s that simple.”
“I’ll rock out,” Cooper replied, “but I’ll keep my ass out of the pit, thank you very much.”
Gage chuckled at that and pinched the very ass he’d been referring to.
“Good idea; wouldn’t want to bruise up such a stunning package.”
“Says the man currently trying to bruise it up himself,” Cooper snarked, earning himself a chuckle from his wicked partner, who just smirked down at him and pinched it again.
Chapter 4
(Gage)
“Nice, you made it!”
“Told you I would, fucker,” Gage grumbled, fist bumping Max, the former manager of Shriveled Rose who’d recently started managing the new band he’d asked Gage to come down and check out tonight.
He had a good idea of why Max had asked too, and no matter the offer, the answer was no. He would not consider going on the road with them or any other band, no matter how promising they were.
“Relax,” Max said. “I know that look.”
“And what look would that be?”
“The one you get right before you threaten to knock someone’s head off with a telephone pole and run them over with your bike.”
Grumbling beneath his breath, Gage decided to not even dignify that with an answer. Yes, it had been his go-to threat. When a thing got results, you stuck with it, especially if itmeant the assholes around you calmed the fuck down and quit whatever shit was getting on your nerves.
“You made it clear to me when you got the job here that you intended it to be long-term, and I respect that,” Max said. “But if you like what you hear, I hope you’ll let me persuade you to run the booth when they cut their EP.”
Rubbing his chin, Gage gave careful consideration to the request and the time constraints he was already working under.
“Depends on when and how long they think they’ll need,” Gage said, refusing to promise anything yet. “And only if they blow my socks off tonight.”
“Fair enough. The two opening bands tonight are rumored to have promise; I’d love your thoughts on them and whether you think they’d be worth my time or not.”
“Looking to expand?”
“It’s easier to get bookings for a show if you already have a band on hand to get the crowd warmed up.”
“Good point,” Gage replied. “Who are they, anyway? Anyone I’ve heard of?”
“Maybe. The opening band is some local boys, Satellite Falls. The mid-band is Twisted Satin. Best I can tell, they are glam rock with a hint of punk. Not sure how that’s supposed to work, but I guess we’ll find out. Opening band is grunge, mostly on the heavier side. I’ve heard both good and bad things about them.”