Before We Say Goodbye

by JN Welsh

  Leona fished for her license and handed it to him.

  Sam reviewed and returned the card. “Mr. Wallace has arrived. Mr. Anderson and his agent are guests of the hotel and await your arrival. You’ll need this.” He handed her a black hotel room key along with some instructions. “The key expires in two hours.”

  Leona evaluated the shiny metallic card, flipping it over between her middle and index finger. “Thanks.”

  She rounded the corner toward the elevators, regarding the beautiful black-and-white contrasts of the modern and artistic décor. Splashes of red and purple from fresh tulips brought life to the area.

  In the elevator, she adjusted her clothing, pressed the heel of her palm against her forehead to pat away perspiration, and dabbed on tinted lip-gloss.

  Leona thought she knew Abe’s motivation for the meeting, but their last conversation had inserted a pressure element. Abe needed to sign The Musical Prophet and Abe never needed anything. Perhaps the company’s money issues were worse than the water cooler talk had implied. Guilt rose within her. She pushed it down and straightened her slumping posture. Focus, Sable.

  The elevator doors opened to a small corridor that led to the rooftop bar. The cool air was more brisk at this elevation. The Empire State Building loomed deceptively close enough to touch, and the Tower lights blazed signature white. The endless light pink and burnt orange colors of dusk surrounded the building and city skyline with the promise of night. I love my city. “Empire State of Mind” by Jay-Z and Alicia Keys played in her head.

  When Abe spotted her, he waved her over. He was about five foot eleven, a powerhouse of a man, and stood taller among the handful of shorter folks in the bar.

  “Leo, I’m glad you could join us,” Abe said when she stood by his side. “And early as usual.”

  “I’m never late.” Thank goodness that damn train ride didn’t ruin my record.

  Abe shot her a sideways glance. “Which I’m sure you obsessed about the whole way here.” He spoke under his breath.

  “Shh-shh.”

  Abe really did know her well. She turned her attention to the man before her, who bore no resemblance to DJ Luke but was familiar to her. Tom “Boombox” Mills’s hipster-style gray suit was highly tailored and close fitting, accompanied by a crisp, white shirt and violet-colored tie. Black-rimmed glasses matched his black hair, and a five o’clock shadow grew on his chin and cheeks. He held an old-fashioned glass filled with ice and amber liquid.

  “Boombox, right?” She shook his hand and thought he was attractive in a detail-oriented kind of way. “Leona Sable. Please call me Leo.”

  “It’s nice to finally meet you, Leo. The industry knows me as Boombox, but you can call me Tommy.” His warm brown eyes smiled at her.

  “A pleasure, Tommy.” Leona knitted her fingers together.

  “Abe and I were just discussing the success you’ve had with well-known clients. Impressive.” Tommy sipped his drink.

  “Thank you for the compliment.”

  Grapevine had it that Boombox’s exclusive client list was a short five. She wondered why he and DJ Luke needed her.

  Leona scanned the small deserted bar. Faint ambient music played, further emptying the space. Even the quiet movements of the bartender spoke of loneliness. Leona was anxious to meet Luke and add some realness to the larger-than-life artist Abe had inflated the DJ to be. “I don’t see Mr. Anderson.”

  “He’ll join us momentarily.” Tommy swirled the liquid and the ice rattled against the glass. “I wanted to familiarize you both with Luke’s present situation and the way he likes to do business.”

  Abe drained the remains of his highball glass. “Tommy has informed me that because Luke is playing at Aurora Nightclub tonight, he only has a short amount of time to meet with us. Tommy works out of California, something you two have in common.”

  “In common?” Tommy raised an eyebrow.

  “I worked in LA for two years before returning to New York.” Leona’s fingers itched to play with her hair, and she wished she, too, had a drink. “No one ever remembers because most of my success has been here in the city.”

  “That’s good to know,” Tommy noted.

  “Tommy’s negotiating the terms of Luke’s residency, so the event and his performance tonight are important.” Abe’s speech carried with it the scent of cranberries layered with the tinge of vodka.

  “Nice.” Leona adjusted her shawl as the chilled rooftop wind blew through her thin barrier. “Can we?” She referenced a modern lava-rock fire pit. The yellow and orange flames danced over the charcoal gray pebbles, beckoning her closer with their inviting heat.

  “Sure.” Tommy followed.

  Abe trailed behind.

  They sat on the java-colored rattan love seat with white cushions that matched her outfit. The railing and deck glass allowed for an ample view of the city lights.

  “Having a residency with consistent monthly appearances is a good sign that he’s in demand. Any reason why he didn’t choose Las Vegas? It’s a hot spot for DJ residencies.” If Leona were Luke’s manager, securing a spot in Vegas would be one of her top priorities.

  “Good observation. Right now, Luke likes the vibe in New York and Atlantic City, but Vegas is on his radar,” Tommy clarified.

  “I’m going to refresh my drink. Would you like something, Leo?” Abe inched toward the bar.

  Leona would have loved red wine or whisky, but she wore white. To avoid the possibility of a crimson or rusty stain on her clothing she made the safer choice. “A white wine spritzer, please. Thanks.”

  “You got it.” Abe left to get their drinks.

  Leona was familiar with this chess game.

  “Leo? Luke’s talented and one of the front-runners in EDM. As you can tell by the fans waiting outside the hotel to get a glimpse of him, he’s also popular. He’s approaching a level many DJs aspire to, but he needs real management. It’s what’s held him back for years. I can get the gigs and appearances, but he needs a champion to propel him forward.”

  “Abe is the best in the business, so you’ll be well taken care of.” Leona tried to remain a queen protected by the knights instead of a pawn being sacrificed for the king. Check.

  “Funny, he said the same thing about you.” Tommy sipped his drink. “Listen, I’m sure Abe is great, but your work is respected throughout the industry. The success you had managing Ramsey is epic. The way you not only grew his fan base, but also his net worth, is the bar everyone tries to achieve to this day. It’s the reason I suggested Wallace Entertainment to Luke.”

  “I see.” Respected? Sure, she had an impressive resume, but after the way her ex-boyfriend and client, Paul Reese, had bad-mouthed her and Wallace Entertainment—claiming to the media that she caused loss of revenue and engaged in fraudulent transactions when they broke up—Leona wasn’t sure respected was the word anyone would use to describe her reputation. That was just the tip of the iceberg. Before the shit hit the fan, one might have even hailed that her work with Paul was the best of her career.

  Abe returned and handed Leona a glass. “Here you go.”

  Leona took a long awaited swig of her spritzer. The oaky wine added flavor more than any real potency.

  “Before we continue, let me explain Luke’s management preferences, so that there are no misunderstandings.” Tommy again brought the glass to his lips.

  Leona raised an eyebrow and peeked over at Abe. She pulled her shoulders back and puffed her chest, ready for whatever Tommy was about to share, when a man zoomed up to them. His swift movement startled her.

  “Luke,” Tommy called and they all rose to greet him.

  Luke was well over six feet, olive-skinned, and muscular with short dark brown hair. He was now the tallest man in their party. He wore a short-sleeved green tee shirt that partially exposed a random pattern of thick, black, curving, inviting lines on his forearm that merged together into an intricate tribal tattoo. His dark blue jeans fitted snug against his strong thi
ghs and he sported a pair of trendy black sneakers with white soles.

  “Hey, Tommy, sorry I’m late.” He put a hand on Tommy’s shoulder and leaned close to his ear. “I’ve been trying to put my set together, but I’ve gotten three calls so far telling me sound check is in an hour. Shouldn’t they be calling you instead of me? Anyway, I need flash drives to back up my music. I’m starving, too, so let’s get something to eat after this.”

  The relaxed and friendly exchange between the two men made her smile. They interacted like genuine friends. Her first impression was that she liked Luke. He was easygoing with his agent, even though this was an important night for him.

  “All right, man. I’ll get it all straightened out.” Tommy turned to Leona and Abe. “Luke, I’d like you to meet Leona Sable and Abraham Wallace from Wallace Entertainment.”

  Luke shook Abe’s hand. “Pleasure to work with you, Mr. Wallace.”

  The rooftop breeze carried Luke’s fragrance. A combination of musk, sandalwood, and patchouli hung in the air.

  “Mmm.” Leona’s entire body melted into relaxation as if she had just snuggled under a warm duvet in the middle of winter. Whoa. Her potent response to Luke and his scent was unexpected.

  Luke did a double take when he saw her. His green-gray eyes evaluated her and lingered a moment on her lips. “Leona Sable.” He stretched his hand out. “I apologize. We don’t have much time because of my performance tonight.”

  The Internet didn’t prepare me well for this yummy-smelling hottie. Not at all.

  Though a blush warmed her cheeks, she grasped his hand firmly, and shook it with a businesslike nod. “Hello, Luke. It’s nice to meet you. Please call me Leo.”

  “Leo? Your name sounds familiar.”

  Shouldn’t the person’s name you requested a meeting with sound familiar? You’re cute, but maybe not so smart. “I’m—”

  “That’s because Leo does stellar work.” Abe stretched his hand out to Luke. “Her reputation precedes her.”

  Luke turned back to Leona and twisted the soul patch of hair beneath his lower lip. “Who did you last manage, Leo?”

  Leona couldn’t help but notice Tommy’s disposition change from confident to anxious. Since she’d assumed they already knew what went down last year, she hadn’t thought about how to answer that question, and opted for honesty.

  “I’ve had success with a few clients. I haven’t managed in a year, but my last clients were Ramsey Fox and Paul Reese.”

  Luke’s eyes narrowed and recognition spread across his features. His hand shot out and clutched Tommy’s lapel. “I trusted you to handle my management and you set me up with Paul Reese’s manager? Are you trying to fuck up the progress we’ve made?”

  Instinct surged through Leona and she backed up. What the hell just happened?

  Has Luke come in contact with Paul’s lies?

  Tommy placed a hand on Luke’s chest to stop his exit. “We need to secure your management so you can focus on the music. I’ll take care of everything else, but we need Wallace Entertainment.” Tommy set his glass down and took a superhero stance, pushing back his jacket and placing his fists on his hips.

  Luke squared his shoulders. “All right. He stays, but she goes.”

  “Excuse me? Didn’t you request this meeting?” I was running for this jerk?

  Luke faced her, his eyes changing from warm attentive green to angry gray. “I no longer work with female managers. Tommy knows this.” Luke dragged his attention to Tommy.

  Leona felt her inner Queen Bey stir and the lyrics to “Run the World” almost had her doing choreography. “What did you say?”

  “Luke, you seemed more open to the idea before. I’m asking you to reconsider,” Tommy reasoned.

  “That was before I realized she’s Reese’s ex. I don’t need that drama and negative shit around me. I have my share.”

  Paul Reese strikes again.

  Leona attempted to salvage her dignity. “I don’t know what you’ve heard, but—”

  “I’ve heard enough.” Luke glared at her as if she caused all his problems. Beyond offended, she was confused.

  “What does my being Paul’s ex-girlfriend have to do with anything?” Leona braced herself for Luke to recant Paul’s gossip. But instead Luke honed in on her personal relationship. It wasn’t entirely strange but perplexing.

  Tommy stood squarely between them.

  “Okay, everyone, just calm down.” Tommy’s even tone interrupted before she could get an answer.

  Leona eyeballed Luke although she spoke to Tommy. “I suspect these are the preferences you were talking about? Fine with me.” She pivoted to walk away. Her explanations about Paul ran out long ago. She was done trying to convince people of her worth.

  “Hang on, I need Leo here.” Abe stopped her by the shoulders and turned her around.

  “Luke, think of all you want to accomplish this year. Leo can make this happen.” Tommy’s voice was low and hard with encrypted meaning.

  “Leo?” Abe’s stressed expression urged her to stay.

  What did you get me into, old man?

  Luke paced and rubbed his head as if to soothe his anger.

  “Think about your success. The rest is bullshit, man,” Tommy emphasized to Luke.

  Luke crossed his arms and once again brought one hand up to brush his thumb against the hair below his lower lip. “Okay, Tommy. I’ll consider it, but first I want to see what she’s got. She fails and she’s out.”

  “What?” Leona squawked.

  “The show tonight isn’t sold out yet,” Luke informed. “If Miss Sable promises me a sellout show and a five percent increase in VIP tickets, then I’ll consider it.”

  “Luke, the show is in three hours. That’s impossible,” Tommy countered.

  “I know.” Luke gloated at her potential failure. “If she’s the best in the business, I want her to prove it.”

  Leona craned her neck at Abe. “What the fuck?” she mouthed.

  “Gentlemen. Give us a minute.” Abe moved Leona to a private area by the bar.

  “This isn’t happening. I thought maybe I could orchestrate a comeback with an artist like Luke. Believe me. It crossed my mind, but he is a misogynistic jerk.”

  “I need you to do this, Leo.”

  “Why? Tell me fast because I’m out of here unless there’s a really good reason for me to torture myself with this nightmare situation.” The air was in cool contrast to Leona’s boiling anger.

  “Damn it. This isn’t how I wanted to tell you.” Abe rubbed his face. “The company is in the red.”

  Leona’s fears about Wallace Entertainment were true. “But we’ve been in trouble before and have made it out okay.”

  “We’re barely able to keep up with the monthly expenses and payroll. If I don’t find a way to fix this fast, we’re going under.”

  Though in an open space, Leona felt the oppression of everything around her closing in. “How long?”

  “Six months, maybe longer with layoffs,” Abe delivered.

  “Nice one, Abe.” Leona returned a wry smile in disbelief until she saw his solemn expression. “You’re serious?”

  Abe’s chest deflated. “Yes.” He was a proud man. This couldn’t have been easy for him, but his timing was shitty.

  “You’re dropping this on me now? Why didn’t you just tell me the whole story earlier?”

  “I promise to tell you everything, darlin’, but right now we can’t let Luke walk away. Do this for me.”

  Leona wanted to pull her hair out but it was inaccessible in the tight bun. With Abe’s news, her temples pulsated and heat warmed her ears. She had so many questions, but most of all she was pissed that she’d been backed into a corner. She pinched a tranquilizer point on her ear and her stomach churned with guilt and nervous energy. The last year had been tumultuous with the Paul scandal and she wondered how much of the company’s troubles had resulted from what happened.

  “Leo?” Abe called.

 
; Though she struggled between bolting and getting Abe his contract, Leona knew in her heart that she would do whatever was necessary to get Luke to sign with Wallace Entertainment and help save the company. She was good at this. Even if Luke believed the rumors, she owed it to herself to prove him wrong.

  Sonofabitch! “Fine.” She stormed back to Luke and Tommy with Abe trailing behind her. “I’ll do it.”

  “What?” Luke’s raised eyebrows and contemptuous tone hit her ego where it hurt.

  She finished her drink, wishing she’d ordered the whiskey after all. “I’ll do it. And I’ll guarantee you’ll get the residency at Aurora.”

  Luke inhaled. “Guarantee? How?”

  “Because Tommy is going to promise the owners a sold-out show and a five percent increase in VIP tickets. He’s also going to guarantee a ten percent increase in revenue, as well as increased media coverage.”

  “I can’t promise that.” Tommy gave a nervous chuckle.

  “Leo can,” Abe announced.

  Her heart raced and she tried to slow the rapid angry movement of her chest. This is how I’m coming back? “I’ll make it happen. Just have the contracts ready.”

  Tommy folded his arms. “How are you going to do that? That’s my reputation on the line.”

  Leona watched the pair of them, doubt written all over their faces. “Mine, too.”

  “You want us to believe you can pull this off by eleven tonight?” Luke’s wicked snicker infuriated her.

  “You wanted me to prove what I can do. I’m showing you.” Leona had to stop her neck from snapping with attitude.

  “You’re a promoter and an agent now?” Sarcasm decorated Luke’s words.

  She didn’t want to get into a back-and-forth with him but she couldn’t resist letting him know he wasn’t dealing with an amateur. “If you must know, I started my career in marketing, specializing in promotions and public relations. Like Tommy, I’m a licensed talent agent in the state of California where I practiced for a few years. My legal background is sound. I don’t like negotiating contracts, but I could successfully do that tonight for you, as well. No offense, Tommy. So—” Leona slicked her hair up into her bun even though not a hair was out of place. “Are we agreed?”