Page 44 of Sing Your Secrets

twelve

Miles

“Damn, Miles. Do you even sleep?” Law asks, looking around The Garage. I’ll admit it, I’m proud. We’re making fast progress. And to answer Law’s question—no, I barely sleep. The faster this place is up and running, the closer I am to a steady paycheck and getting my life in order.

“It’s coming along.”

Dad was only out for two days, giving his sprained ankle time to heal. He sprung right back, with a bigger crew, and now the bathroom and kitchen renovation is nearly complete. It’s a madhouse in here.

“What’s left to do?”

“Not too much.” I knock on the frame of the new bar that is at least fifteen feet long. “This needs to be topped. I was thinking we’d go with a concrete finish to keep it industrial looking. The floors are good to go, they just need to be resealed. The new stage plans are underway, but I told Sienna I’d let her do a walk through before I make any design decisions.” Sienna has graciously offered her interior design eye for The Garage. Everyone seems to want to get involved. After all these years, this place is still bringing people together.

“Are we ready to pick an opening date?”

I shrug as I yank off my beanie and fan my damp hair. The weather in Colorado is starting to warm up in mid-April, and now that we got the insulation issue fixed, it’s no longer an ice box in here. “I think we’d be ready to go by the end of summer. The building will be ready sooner, but I have to start booking performances.”

“That’s fine. Way sooner than I expected.” Law crosses his arms as his eyes shift back and forth. I know he’s mentally crunching numbers when he has that perplexed expression on his face. “We just need to talk staffing now.”

I nod in agreement. “We need a chef and a small staff. A DJ who can work a PA system. Security. I can hop behind the bar.”

“I have a client of mine who runs a ridiculously successful food truck. It’s unbelievable. The guy drives around an obnoxiously big, blue truck with a giant dancing taco on the top and he’s a millionaire.”

“Tacos?” I ask.

“Street tacos. Street food in general. He makes these fire chili fries—they’re delicious. Worth every single minute of the raging heartburn you’ll get afterward.”

I chuckle. “Okay, so he’ll park his truck out front?”

“No, he’s willing to plan the menu here and train the staff. Apparently, he used to catch shows here too when he was growing up. When I mentioned I’d invested in The Garage, he was eager to get involved.”

“Nice. That just leaves security and a DJ.”

“And a couple of bartenders.” Law raises his brows at me. “I don’t want you behind the bar. You’re my venue manager. You won’t have time to be pouring drinks all night. This is a big boy job, okay?”

I scowl at his patronizing tone. “Do you have a budget in mind?”

“It’s a little tight at the moment. I’m willing to put a little more financial muscle behind the business once we know the grand opening isn’t a total flop and this buyer comes through with the first check.”

“Are we concerned?” I ask, furrowing my eyebrows.

“What do you mean?”

“Well, we’re putting in all this work for a buyer who wants the finished product, but…we’re certain this is the right buyer? After all this work”—I look around at the spacious main floor that actually looks welcoming now—“I don’t want to see it fall into the wrong hands.”

Law rubs his forehead. “Once we sell, it’s not our business anymore.” I shrug at his less-than-encouraging response. “But if it makes you feel better, the realtor did mention the reason they need help for the reopening is that the client doesn’t intend to keep it.”

“What? Doesn’t that just further my point?”

“They are buying it, to gift it. They aren’t sure how involved the new owner will want to be, which is why they need us to get the ball rolling.”

“Oh?” My eyes widen in surprise. “That’s one hell of a gift.”

“Sure is,” Law says while nodding his head. “It clearly means a lot to someone. I’m sure this place will be in good hands once we hand it over. And we get to be a part of restoring something precious to the community. It’s a win-win for everyone.”

Yeah, that’s a cool way to look at it. “All right, well I’ll make some calls and see who is looking for work.”

I have a few friends who are no strangers to DJing and sound systems, but I haven’t told them I’m back yet. I didn’t plan to when I was set on heading right back out of town.