Page 89 of Fire

He chuckles. It’s an odd sound coming from my grumpy ass brother. “No, for the tour. You’re getting noticed, and it’s working.”

“It is?”

We turn away from the chatter, and I feel each beat of my heart as I wait for him to reply. “I know Dad doesn’t represent you, but we’ve still been getting calls.”

“Really?”

“You don’t have an agent, Hendrix. They don’t know who else to contact.”

“Yeah, well, my last one kind of fucked me over.” But that wasn’t my dad’s fault. It was mine for not listening to him.

“I know, which is why it’s important you have someone you trust. And fast.”

I state the obvious. “Dad isn’t an agent. He’s a manager.”

“But we have agents on staff. You know that.”

Yeah, I did. I knew all of them. I’d worked with all of them when I was my dad’s assistant. “I want Saul.”

“Zander’s agent?”

I nod just as a burst of laughter is heard over my shoulder. I resist the urge to look, but I know it’s my sisters and Zara, and damn if that doesn’t make me happy.

“Dad recommended him to Z because he’s good and honest. I know he won’t screw me over. Plus, he’s been trying to get me to sign with him for years. I’ve just been?—”

“Stubborn?”

“Yeah. That.”

“I’ll make it happen. In the meantime, just keep doing what you’re doing. Play well, get noticed—maybe a little less for the abs?”

“Jealous?” I tease.

He just shakes his head, and I see the faintest whisper of a smile. It reminds me of the man he used to be. Before Nikki. “Just because I sit behind a desk doesn’t mean I couldn’t still take you, asshat.”

“But you’d have to get the suit dirty.” I brush a nonexistent piece of lint off the dark navy blazer. “Seriously, dude. Who wears Armani to a rock concert?”

“Someone with style?” he says as he gives my faded black jeans and hoodie a once-over. “Anyway, I’ll be in touch when we have some leads, and hopefully soon we can find you something a bit more permanent. Somewhere you can call home.”

My heart hammers in my chest.

This is what I’ve always wanted. A shot to prove myself.

To Edwin. To my family. The world.

“Sounds perfect,” I answer. But does it? I toss a glance in Zara’s direction.

Suddenly, I’m not so sure.

Chapter Twenty-Five

HENDRIX

It’s almost showtime, and I’m so fucking pumped.

Having my family here tonight is chaotic—the Creed family always is—but I’m so glad they are. I wouldn’t be the man I am without every one of those crazy fuckers.

We’re all headed in mass down to the stage. Zara’s sister finally showed up, and I got to meet the infamous Violet Valentine in person. As soon as she came whirling into the clinic with her backstage pass around her neck and sky-high heels, she’s been a tornado of energy ever since.