“Oh, good. Tell them they can contact Joyce.”

“That’s the thing, Bette. A&R for Thrill City is used to working solely with talent agents during label negotiations, so I think it would only benefit the band if I were to handle that end of it.”

Bette gave Jodi an incredulous look.

“We haven’t exactly signed you to represent the band, Jodi. At this point, any deals are to go through Joyce first.”

“I understand, Bette, but –”

“No. I don’t think you do understand. There are no ‘buts’ anymore, Jodi. The band will not sign with any label or agent unless negotiations are engaged with Joyce.” Bette was starting to get visibly upset.

Jodi knew it was time to placate the band’s manager before all negotiations with her were off the table.

“Bette, believe me, I’m not trying to pull a fast one or anything…”

“I’m sorry if I’m not completely convinced.” Bette said with another incredulous look at the agent.

“Look, just tell me what Alphaville has offered and I’ll pass along that information to Nadia Karella. She’s Thrill City’s A&R. Whatever the offer is, I can guarantee that Nadia will top it.”

Bette scoffed. “I already told you, Jodi. There is no offer from Alphaville. There is no negotiation with Alphaville. There’s nothing going on between Alphaville and the Stouts!”

Jodi raised an eyebrow.

“Are you sure about that?”

“I am positive!” By this time, Bette was fuming. Who the fuck does this woman think she is?

“That’s strange, because word is that Kornbluth wants to sign your sister, Bette.”

“Who the fuck is Kornbluth?”

Jodi said with cocked head and a small sneaky smile.

“Your pretty little girlfriend’s boss.”

The agent had heard from her boss earlier that morning that Aaron was running his mouth at the strip club yesterday about how his star talent scout was getting ready to sign Kit Porter. Jodi believed that Tina was the scout in question and that she was absolutely using her relationship with Bette to seal the deal as Jodi had believed her to have attempted so many times before.

Bette stared at Jodi trying to size up the smile she was wearing. She and Tina hadn’t discussed anything about the band aside from their upcoming gigs. Not once did Tina indicate that she wanted to sign them. It just wasn’t a topic up for discussion. It seemed to be a sort of unspoken understanding the last few days.