Page 15 of The Deviation
The heat of last night’s anger had faded, but the fire of lust still burned, and watching his body move to the rhythm as he played strengthened the blaze. Every hip tilt, every sway, brought to mind the way he’d pressed against me when we kissed. Those same calloused fingertips that plucked so deftly atthe strings of his guitar had sneaked beneath the hem of my shirt last night, stroking bare skin and making me shiver.
Every time he turned to face towards my section of the audience, my heart stumbled. If he knew I was here, would he care? Had I been used and dismissed as easily as he’d planned? Or did he want me here, watching him?
By the time Fifth Circle finished their set, I was left trembling under the weight of two unavoidable truths.
Firstly, Fifth Circle is the band I’ve been searching for. These are the men I can put all of my professional confidence and enthusiasm behind. It’s their music I want to bring to the world.
Secondly, I will do anything I have to in order to sign them. That includes pretending last night never happened. If the hungry look Johnny had on his face when he gazed out at the festival lights is anything to go by, he’ll be happy to do the same.
All I have to do now is convince them they need me… more than I need them.
* * *
An hour passes before I manage to find an opportunity to approach Ned Corbyn. He’s crossing the festival grounds with a second man who appears to be his boyfriend at his side.
I glance around to make sure the rest of the band is nowhere to be seen before I draw closer. The act itself feels sketchy in a way I’ve spent my short career avoiding. Normally, I would have approached the band as a whole, while they were still riding their performance high. I would have showered them with compliments and business cards, and hoped they were in the mood to change their minds about wanting more and bigger.
But if I’d followed the standard approach, Johnny might have said or done something to give us away. If the band found out something happened between us, there’s every chance wordcould eventually leak back to my boss. Genevieve believes in two things: maximising profits and keeping steadfast boundaries between artists and managers. If she knew I had the hots for Fifth Circle’s lead guitarist, there’s no way in hell she would allow me to take the lead in their management.
Which would mean they’d have the potential to end up in Arthur’s not so tender care. The thought of Arthur exploiting yet another talented band makes me sick to my stomach. Not to mention he’d be in a position to tell Johnny what to do, which may lead to me strangling him in his sleep.
My strides lengthen as I catch up to my target. “Excuse me, Ned Corbyn?”
Ned turns and I offer him my hand and a wide smile. Returning my friendliness, he shakes my hand. “That’s me. How’s it going?”
“It’s great to meet you,” I say with a nod. “The name’s Calum Ellis.” Bringing my other hand forwards, I offer my business card this time. “Rush Music Management.”
This is the part where most lesser-known musicians react in one of two ways. Their eyes go round with amazement, or they narrow in suspicion.
Ned does neither. Instead, his smile dies and he eyes my card as if it’s a snake, coiled and ready to bite. “Not interested.” Taking hold of his boyfriend’s hand, he walks away.
The expected rejection barely registers as I fall into step beside the two men. “I apologise for ambushing you, this isn’t the way I prefer to operate. But I caught Fifth Circle’s performance earlier and I wanted to introduce myself. Your set was impressive.”
Ned doesn’t bother to look at me as he gives a curt nod. “Glad you enjoyed it.”
“How is it possible I’m based in Brisbane, and yet I’ve barely heard of your band before this weekend?” It’s a question I’vebeen asking myself all morning. Ideally, I should have had Fifth Circle on the list of bands I wanted to check out while I was here. Yet, somehow they slipped my notice. Which sucks because if I’d researched them earlier, I may have had a chance of recognising Johnny when we first met. Then last night never would have happened, and I wouldn’t be trying to forget the taste of him, his hesitation and his eagerness. I never would have been the first man he kissed.
Despite the complications our meeting has caused, I can’t bring myself to regret it. The idea of some other man kissing Johnny makes my skin crawl.
“We’re not big on promotion,” Ned replies.
Johnny used exactly the same words. I wonder which of them decided it was true first?
“That’s one of the areas where I can help,” I reply. “Give me six months and I’ll put Fifth Circle’s name on the lips of every music lover in the country.” Considering their good looks and innate presence on stage, I’d put it closer to three.
Ned disagrees, if his curt laugh is anything to go by. “You’re full of shit all the way to the top, aren’t you?”
I let out a chuckle of my own. Do these guys really not know how exceptional they are? “No, actually, I’m not.”
“Ned.” The blond man trailing behind Ned speaks for the first time. His voice short and grumbly. “Not all of us are six feet tall.”
Glancing back over his shoulder, Ned immediately slows. “Sorry.”
Whoever this guy is, I’m about ready to kiss him for slowing the breakneck pace we’ve been walking at. We’re already halfway through the festival camping area. Who knows how long I have to convince Ned to give me the time of day.
Taking a deep breath, I pull on my most professional tone and try again. “I’ll admit to a certain boldness when it comes to proclaiming my intentions, but I assure you Ihave the experience and contacts necessary to back them up.” I start name-dropping like a B-grade celebrity. Bands I’ve ‘helped manage’. Companies and people I’ve ‘collaborated with’ in Sydney. I may not be an integral member of the Rush management team yet, but when the drummer from Southern Kings was desperate for coffee and a blueberry muffin, I came through like a boss. It all counts.
“I’m currently looking to work with more indie bands.” They’re easier to get close to and if I can get just one to hit it big, we’ll all win. “No labels and no nonsense.”