Playing for Keeps by Veronica Chambers Page A

serious. “Gaz, I have some good news for you. I was able to pull some strings and get you tickets to a couple of panels for South by Southwest.” She handed him a packet.
    â€œYou’re kidding,” he said, staring at the large manila envelope as though it would disappear at any moment.
    â€œNot kidding,” Ranya said. “I know a guy who knows a guy. Besides, I listened to your CD last night. Alicia gave it to me to review for Valeria’s party. You’re good. We want to show all of you the best that Texas has to offer. And maybe you can show those conference folks what Miami has to offer.”
    Gaz stood up and gave her a giant hug. “You probably changed my life today,” he said solemnly.
    â€œWell, remember me when you’re famous,” she replied, waving good-bye as she and Marisol left the room.
    â€œWow, that’s pretty cool,” Alicia said when they were gone. “Right?”
    Gaz didn’t answer. Instead, he ripped open the envelope, and then his mouth dropped open.
    â€œOh, my God, Lici,” he said, quickly scanning the contents. “You should see the panels she’s gotten me into: Building a High Value Fan List Online; The Ins and Outs of Indie Touring; Music Publishing: Making Money While You Sleep.”
    â€œMaking Money While You Sleep,” Alicia repeated. “That sounds good.”
    Gaz got to the last item in the packet and shook his head. “Wait. This can’t be right.”
    â€œWhat?” Alicia asked.
    â€œIt says here that she’s got me a spot in the new-artist showcase. Hundreds of artists compete for each of the twenty-five three-minute slots. That showcase has been booked for over a year now.”
    â€œWell, whoever Ranya’s friend is, they definitely know the right people,” Alicia said.
    â€œThe first panel starts in three hours,” Gaz said, getting up to call the ranch transportation crew. He stopped and looked back at his girlfriend. “Lici, are you okay with this? I know I need to get all the music together for Valeria’s party, but this is a once-in-a-lifetime chance for me. But I promise you, I’ll figure out a way to not fall down on the job.”
    â€œPromise?” asked Alicia.
    â€œI promise,” answered Gaz, giving her a hug and flashing an irresistible grin.
    â€œThen vaya con Dios, mi amor ,” Alicia purred.
    â€œ Primero ,” he said, growing serious. “I just have to tell you thank you for being such an amazing girlfriend. You know how much my music means to me, and if it wasn’t for you, this amazing opportunity would never have come my way.”
    â€œWell, you know, I try,” Alicia said, kissing him again softly on the lips. “But right now you’ve got to go make music history, and I’ve got a quince to plan.”
    Throughout the van ride into downtown Austin, Gaz clutched the envelope with his conference passes so tightly that his knuckles were white. Despite the fact that it was a perfect spring day—balmy, breezy, and not too hot—he kept his window firmly shut, lest the envelope fly out of his hands right out the window, and with it all the dreams he had for his career.
    Luis, the driver, tried to engage him in conversation, asking him questions about Miami, the weather in Florida, gator sightings. But Gaz was too nervous to talk, and eventually Luis gave up. Gaz kept thinking about his late father. Felipe Colón had been a musician in Puerto Rico before he passed away from cancer. When he was a kid, Gaz loved to hear his father play at the small concert halls in San Juan. His music made people laugh with joy, dance in the streets, sing along, and sometimes even cry. Gaz hoped to be able to do the same thing one day.
    Finally, they arrived at the conference. Luis made his way through the crazy traffic and dropped Gaz off at the conference registration hall. “Hey, man,” Gaz said speaking for