Chapter Eight #2
She hopped over the barrier that enclosed the sound equipment and went toward the audio technician. He recognized her instantly, pulling her into a hug. They laughed and talked for a moment before Skye pointed to the computer. The sound guy motioned with his hands in a ‘go ahead’ gesture.
She bent over the desk, thrusting her ass out.
Remi wanted to punch Liam and Ollie in the face at the way they ogled her.
He wanted to punch himself in the face too, if he was honest, because holy hell this woman was a fucking demon goddess.
Remi’s fingers twitched with the desire to run his palms down her delectable curves, to squeeze and jiggle the flesh of her hips and ass. Fuck, he was—
Remi snapped out of it and shoved his friends, hitting Liam upside the head for good measure. He turned to his left, and even West was checking her out.
“Really?” Remi said.
West screwed up his face. “I’m gay. Not blind,” he whispered.
Skye straightened and wiped her hands together as if completing a job. The sound guy squeezed her to his side and nodded, taking over at the computer.
Skye sauntered back over, smirking. “There. All better.”
“What’d you do?” Liam asked in an awed tone.
“George got an upgraded system. He’s the best in the business, but still learning the ins-and-outs of the new software. He tried to copy and paste the settings, but must have hit cut instead and thought he’d lost them. No big deal. I’m sure he won’t make that mistake again,” Skye said.
“How do you know about upgraded sound systems better than the sound guy?” West asked.
Skye pressed her lips together, trying to fight a smile. “I know a lot of things better than most people. I’ve been solving bands’ problems since I was sixteen.”
“Do you want to be our band manager?” Liam blurted out.
“What?” Remi said. “No!”
“Why not?” Liam asked. “She just saved the day. She’s hot. And we don’t have one since we fired Jim for stealing all our money.”
“Being hot shouldn’t be a qualification for a band manager,” Ollie said evenly.
“Thank you!” Remi said, flinging out his hands.
“But she did save the day,” Ollie said.
Remi’s eyes widened. He turned to West for help, but he was just considering her with a thoughtful expression.
“What do you think, Skye?” West asked.
She crossed her arms over her chest. The move pushed her cleavage up higher. A lace choker encircled her neck with a black diamond that hung at the hollow of her throat, drawing even more attention to the enticing allure of her breasts.
“Sure,” Skye said, shrugging. “I’m not doing anything else.”
“Great!” Liam said.
“Hold on,” Remi said. “I veto this decision. We said when we started that we’d make decisions together and one veto would be enough, remember? Skye doesn’t have experience managing a band, and just because she solved one problem—”
“Actually, I grew up in the music industry, so I’ve never had a job title, but I’ve been around the stage, the tour bus, the festivals. I’ve made midnight runs for beer and cigs. Fixed guitar strings. Solved equipment issues. Fuck, you name it, and I’ve done it.”
“Being a groupie”—Remi said through gritted teeth—“is not experience.”
Skye sneered at him. “I told you once, and I’ll tell you again. I don’t fuck the people I do business with.”
Remi curled his lip.
Liam snorted. “Oh, so that’s why Remi hates you. Dude, don’t be such an asshole just because you got rejected. It’s pretty lame.”
Skye pressed her bottom lip out in an exaggerated pout. “Yeah, Remi. What’s wrong? Did I hurt your feelings?”
“I’m not—” Remi cut himself off and pinched the bridge of his nose. “That’s not what this is about, and she”—he pointed at Skye—“knows that.”
He couldn’t tell the guys what he’d done or the truth of what Skye was. He wasn’t going to drag them into this.
Skye uncrossed her arms and stepped closer to Remi. “You know you need me. I didn’t cause your…bad luck, but I’m the only one who can fix it.” She fingered the black diamond at her throat.
Remi clenched his jaw. She was seriously going to pretend she didn’t cause this mess? He started to shake his head when he was interrupted.
Michael, the manager of the Whisky a Go Go, strode up. “Boys, you should be backstage. You’re on in five.” His eyes landed on Skye and lit up. “Baby doll! What are you doing here?” he asked, leaning in for a hug.
Skye wrapped her arms around the man. “Well, Michael, I’m trying to talk these guys into giving me a job as Tilted Haze’s band manager.”
Michael stepped back and nodded solemnly. “You won’t find a better person for the gig. Everything this girl touches turns to gold.”
Skye smiled and raised her eyebrows at Remi.
The heavy weight of inevitability settled over him. Skye was going to fuck with his life whether he agreed to this or not. At least this way, he could keep an eye on everything she was doing.
Remi heaved a long sigh. “Fine. You get a two-week trial period. If a single thing goes wrong before we leave on tour, you’re done.”
He turned and looked at each of his bandmates, who were nodding and smiling.
Liam opened his arms. “Welcome to the band, Skye!”
Skye giggled, and, fuck, if it wasn’t the most adorable thing Remi had ever heard. He clenched his jaw as he watched each of his bandmates greet their new band manager with hugs and smiles, Ollie kissing her on each cheek.
Remi grunted an agitated breath and strode off toward the stage—he had a show to get ready for.