Connor curled one corner of his upper lip. “What the fuck isdigital marketing?”
“Like on the damn internet and shit.” Jimmy shrugged. “I have no idea. That’s the problem. This cat’s gonna help us figure it out so we can stick around for another twenty-five years.”
The waitress stopped back by the table and handed a fresh glass of scotch to Brennan. “Thank you, sweetheart.” He winked at her and then turned his attention back to the men. “So, who is he?” Brennan gestured with the glass. “This brand manager. Who else has he worked with?”
“I don’t know. Hardin’s the last name.” Jimmy scratched the patch of salt-and-pepper hair on the side of his mostly-bald head. “Somebody Hardin. He’ll be here next week.”
“Huh. Abrand manager.” Connor leaned his elbows on the table and rubbed the scruff on his chin. “Well, all right. Do what you gotta do.”
“You mean whatwegotta do, son,” Jimmy retorted.
Connor squinted. “What do you mean?”
“I mean, if you want that partnership, you’re gonna have to hit the ground running with this guy when he gets here.” Jimmy pointed at Oscar, who was sipping a Coke at the bar. “And you two are gonna go after that kid, and he’s gonna be our trial run.”
Connor raised his eyebrows. “Trial run?”
“Yeah. I wanna see us take that kid from being a nobody to being a hot new artist in six months.”
Connor coughed. “Six months? That’s impossible.”
Jimmy flipped his palms upward and gestured at the room. “Apparently not in the digital age. Internet videos go viral, then the news picks ‘em up, then people start showing up at shows in droves.” He pointed at Connor again. “So, if by September, that kid is bringing in something like six figures, I’ll give you twenty-five percent.”
Connor pressed his fist to his mouth as his eyes stretched wide. “Holyfuck.”
Twenty-five percent was at least twice as much as he’d hoped for. Even though Connor was primarily responsible for finding the majority of the label’s talent, it was still Jimmy’s baby, and Connor respected that.
Connor cleared his throat. “That’s really generous of you, Jim, but I don’t see how six figures in six months is even possible.”
“Well, apparently itispossible, and we’re about to learn how.” He slapped Connor’s shoulder and squeezed it. “So, when this marketing guy gets here, I want you on him like white on rice. I want you to learn everything and do whatever he says, because these people know their shit.” Jimmy shoved his hands in his pockets. “Shit we don’t know.”
“Yes sir,” Connor said with a small salute.
“‘atta boy, soldier.” Jimmy gave Connor’s cheek a firm pat and then stuck his hand out to Scott. “Scott, good to see you as always.”
“You too, my friend,” Scott returned, shaking Jimmy’s hand.
“Riley,” Jimmy said, turning to slap Brennan’s back. “Try to behave around all these nice young ladies.”
Brennan offered a devil-may-care smirk. “Take it easy, Jim.”
Jimmy knocked on the table. “See your sweaty ass bright and early, Connor.”
Connor grabbed his beer bottle, tilting it toward Jimmy and then lifting it to his mouth. To his disappointment, it was already empty. Just as well.
Connor jerked his chin at Brennan. “Hey, Riley.”
Brennan’s eyes were once again trained on the blonde leaning against the bar. “Yeah, Sarge.”
“You planning to make a night of it with that one?”
Brennan hovered the glass of scotch at the level of his mouth. “I don’t really have anything better to do.” He tore his eyes off the woman to look at Connor. “You want to go somewhere else and get into something? We could hit up the Carousel if you’re in the mood.”
The Carousel Bar was the preferred spot of Brennan and a number of their single friends to go pick up women. And normally, it was Brennan picking up women, and Connor not feeling it.
Ever sinceshehad left the picture, Connor was wary of women for the most part. After all, even a one-night-stand could lead to a relationship that could make you fuck up worse than you ever had. Because of that, he limited his hook-ups to the absolute bare minimum, and generally opted to just stand in as wingman to their friends, Carson and Luke.
Connor gave a passive shake of his head. “I’m all right.” He slapped Scott’s shoulder with the back of his hand. “Ready to head out? I’ll go back with you.”
