Destroyed (Lost in Oblivion, #3)(31)
Lila came up behind them and crouched between him and Nick. Jazz was holding court at the end of the buffet tables they’d brought out for them to sign posters and albums—actual vinyl records—for the fan giveaways.
Simon knew his own signature was little more than an S and K with scribbles at this point. He’d done at least a hundred of them between interviews.
She set a new package of metallic Sharpies on the desk. “I thought you might want to know, that little clause in your contract?”
Nick’s face grew wary. “Yeah.”
“Now, Crandall, stop looking at me like I’m about to take away your new toy. This is the good clause.”
Nick sighed. “I’ll be the judge of that.”
Simon tucked his hands under his arms. “Whadya got, beautiful?”
“See. This one knows how to butter a woman up.”
“By all means enjoy his buttering,” Nick muttered, his eyes going cool.
She rolled her eyes. “Your clause was a bonus if you hit gold status and Rise has officially hit platinum twice.”
“Holy shit,” Simon said and leaned forward. “That has to be a better one, right?”
“It means each of you gets a two hundred and fifty thousand dollar bonus.”
Nick sat back, his face completely blank.
Simon punched him. “Holy f*ck!”
Nick’s eyebrows drew forward and he stood and excused himself.
“I thought this was good news,” Lila said.
Simon swiped a hand down Lila’s back and watched his best friend head for the side door. “It is. I do believe Nicky boy is going outside to barf.”
“What?” Lila spun on her ever present four-inch heels. “Why?”
Simon cupped Lila’s face and laid two huge kisses on either chick. “Because we aren’t used to getting good news. And that is epically good news.”
Lila batted his hands away. “And that equates to tossing his cookies?”
“He’s an odd dude.” Simon pressed a hand to his own jumping belly. “Can I tell everyone else?”
“Yes.”
Simon stood and helped her up. “We couldn’t have done it without you, Dragon Lady.”
“I doubt that, but I’m very glad I helped.”
He looked over her blond head to find Margo coming down the side stairs. She was all in black again, but this time it was a mix of vamp and innocence. Both of the traits that seemed to pour out of Margo when she let the musical side of herself free.
She turned to the side and the slinky silk she wore hugged her curves. She lifted her arm to point to the stage and a hint of purple teased from the side of her blouse.
So much skin and yet so very covered.
She turned and went back up the stairs. As the little pleat at the back of her skirt kicked up, he glimpsed the stretchy band of lace at the top of her inky thigh-highs.
Jesus f*ck.
He turned away and pushed that thought of his mind. That wasn’t going to help anything. It was bad enough that he had to do a ninety minute set with her knowing she was wearing garters.
He was a dead man.
When he could breathe again, he turned his attention to Jazz. “Pix, where’d Gray get to?”
“He went to get me a juice. I’m feeling a little spin-ish.”
Simon cupped her elbow and dragged her around the table. “Sit down.”
“I said ish, not actually spinning. I’m fine.” She laughed and cupped her hands over her baby bump. “I’m fine, Simon.”
He looked over her shoulder and saw Gray walking quickly across the club from the bar.
“Oh good, you got her to sit.” Gray came around the table and crouched beside her. “Orange pineapple.”
“Two of my guys waiting on me. Look at that.” Jazz took the bottle of juice and uncapped it before taking long drink. “My sugar just got a little low, don’t wig out you two. I burn more calories with small fry than I do alone. And you know how much I eat alone.”
Simon shrugged. “She can out eat me on a good day.”
“Exactly.”
“Well, how about some good news.”
Jazz shifted on her chair to sit up straighter. “I like that kind of news.”
“We just hit double platinum.”
“No way!” Jazz jumped from her chair and tackle-hugged Gray. “That’s like two million downloads or buys or whatever, right?”
Gray lost his balance and the two of them landed on the floor, Gray taking all of her weight.
“Oh, shit.” Jazz was laughing so hard she was squealing.
“Better news—remember that clause in our contract?”
Jazz curled herself into Gray’s lap. “There were a lot of clauses.”
“This is the bonus clause.”
Jazz spun in Gray’s arms and wound her arms around his neck. “Oh, holy shit. That’s awesome.”
Simon lowered his voice. “Two hundred and fifty large—each.”
Jazz burst into tears.
“Whoops.” Simon patted her shoulder awkwardly.
“What did you do to Pix?”
Simon looked up at Deacon. “Gave her some good news.”
“It doesn’t look like good news.”