“I’ve heard a lot about you,” London says, nodding toward the guitar case slung over my shoulder.“She won’t admit it, but Myles wouldn’t shut up about getting you on our stage.I’m glad it worked out.”
“Me too,” I say, glancing around the space.“This place has a good vibe.”
“Appreciate it,” London replies, his smirk widening.“We work hard to keep it that way.Nocté’s about creating moments to remember, not just music.”
Before I can respond, the door to the back room swings open, and a woman with bright purple hair cropped on one side and longer on the other strides out, clipboard in hand.She’s dressed in a fitted black tee, cargo pants, and combat boots, her sharp gaze locking onto me immediately.
“Myles,” London says, gesturing toward her, “meet Joel Price.”
Myles narrows her eyes at London before turning her attention to me.She steps closer, her movements quick and deliberate, like she’s always in control.If I didn’t know London was the manager, I would have pegged her for the gig instead.
“So, you’re the guy Tess wouldn’t stop raving about,” Myles says, leaning against the bar with her arms crossed.Her multicolored eyes flick over me, sharp and calculating, but there’s the faintest glimmer of something else—approval, maybe.“She says you’re good.Guess we’ll find out.”
“I’ll try not to disappoint,” I reply evenly, matching her gaze.
She raises an eyebrow, a small smirk tugging at her lips.“Oh, you won’t.If Tess is right—and she usually is—you’ll kill it.But I’ve got a reputation to uphold, so I’ve got to give you the whole‘don’t screw it up’speech anyway.”
I chuckle, relaxing a fraction.“Consider me properly warned.”
“Good,” she says, straightening up and grabbing a rag to wipe down the bar.“Saint doesn’t take risks on people unless I nudge him, so don’t make me regret it.Not that I think you will.”
She says it casually, but the confidence in her tone carries weight.It’s not every day someone with her presence lets slip they already believe in you.
“Saint?”I ask, confused.
Myles tips her head at London and keeps wiping.
“Ah.”
London, who’s been watching the exchange with a faintly amused expression, steps in.“Myles likes to put people in their place, but trust me—she doesn’t waste her time on people she doesn’t think can deliver.”
“Noted,” I say, nodding toward her.“Thanks for sticking your neck out.”
Myles shrugs, tossing the rag over her shoulder.“Thank Tess.She wouldn’t shut up about you.Said you’ve been looking for the right places to get back into the scene here.”
I nod, the mention of Tessa sending a flicker of gratitude through me.She’s the one who suggested Nocté in the first place, her knack for connecting people kicking in like clockwork.We’ve been texting on and off for weeks—her recommending venues, me explaining what I was looking for.That’s all she knows, as far as I’m aware.
But Tessa’s not just a helpful busybody—she’s a strategist.She puts people where they need to be.And whether or not she realizes how deep things run with Anna, I can’t help but wonder if she had a bigger picture in mind when she pushed me toward Nocté.
London’s voice pulls me back to the present.“Mark’s already at the soundboard.Let’s get you set up so you’re ready for tomorrow.”
I nod, following after him.
The stage is cozy—intimate, even—but it’s got a presence that makes you feel like every note you play is going to matter.As I unpack my guitar, Mark glances up from the soundboard and gives me a nod.
“Joel Price, right?”he says, his voice calm and professional.
“That’s me,” I reply, tuning my guitar.
“Cool.Been looking forward to hearing you play.”
“Been looking forward to it, as well,” I reply, strumming a quick chord that rings out across the room.
Mark smirks and adjusts a few knobs.“Let’s start with the acoustic and work our way up.”
We run through the setup smoothly, Mark balancing the sound with the precision of someone who’s been doing this for years.By the time we’re done, the room feels alive, humming with potential even though it’s empty.
I pack up my gear and sling the guitar case over my shoulder, stepping off the stage as London meets me near the bar.