3 Chapter 3

He tells Trace, “He isn’t back until Friday so we’ll practice tonight and all day tomorrow…” When Trace starts to protest, he talks over his friend, “Don’t give me that work shit. This is the band,Trace. This is our chance.You get Nick to cover for you, he will. Hell, get Janie to work your shift, someone, I don’t care. We’re practicing tonight and all day tomorrow, and you can bang Steff afterthe gig. We’re walking out of that club with a contract, you hear me?”

Trace sighs. “I hear. Fuck, Adam—”

“Not right now.” Adam laughs because he knows Trace is blushing—he hateswhen Adam makes queer cracks like that. One reason why Adam does it. Trace likes his girls, that’s fine. Adam likes the boys. If Trace wants to talk a good game, Adam doesn’t see why he can’t do the same thing. And it pisses off his mom almost as much as his harping on Tim. Almost. “Look, Trace, one hour. You call Mike and tell him to get his fat ass over here. We have work to do.”