She played hostess, introducing me to everyone I didn’t know. Joe was there, but on the phone. The cute guy I’d noticed watching Becca was Dex. And from the way she brightened just saying his name; they were really into each other. He had a British accent, but it wasn’t strong, as if he’d spent a lot of time in the States. Quiet guy was Matthew. He nodded at me then went back to staring into his beer. Rick, happily, was nowhere to be seen.I spotted my mother a few tables down with the suits from the label. She looked fine for the moment but there’d be another blow up soon. That was inevitable.After ordering a drink I slid down the bar away from the group a bit and found myself next to Steve, the band’s guitar tech. We chatted briefly about my vintage Gibson and the horrors of shipping the precious instruments. He was incredibly knowledgeable, and as a bonus, seemed to have never heard of me before.Yes, it was a tiny blow to my ego, but it meant he was willing to actually talk to me like a real musician.
