Fractured Beat (Meltdown Book 1) by RB Hilliard Page B

tilt of his head he was listening in on the conversation. Chaz’s anger the night I screwed up his song was warranted. I made a promise and then turned around and broke it. Even though it wasn’t my fault, it was shitty. It also wasn’t lost on me that even though Chaz was pissed at me, he was the only person to step up and show me support through all of this. If rehab did one thing, it made me realize how self-centered I’d become. The road to fame and fortune was paved by stupid fuckers who cared only about themselves and I’d become one of those fuckers. Who cares if his song bombs? All he wants is a chance .
    “No, I think we should change it up and start with Afterthought.”
    Chaz’s head spun around and he gaped at us. “Are you serious?”
    “Sure,” I shrugged, and tried to play it off as no big deal. Luke smiled and Nash gave me a blank stare. Nash and I needed to talk, but not until I calmed down. If he tried to talk to me right now I would beat the shit out of him.
    “Thanks man. I mean seriously, thanks,” Chaz gushed.
    “How about we run through both Afterthought and Avalanche a few more times before calling it quits,” I announced.
    After rehearsal we rubbed shoulders with a few of the VIP ticket holders and grabbed a bite to eat. I stuck to water only, and made sure it came from bottles which I opened with my own hands. During dinner I walked past Misty, no, that wasn’t her name. If Nash was speaking to me, I’d ask him what her name was . I couldn’t help but smile when I noticed her glaring at Blane. Welcome to the club, I thought.
    “What’s up her ass?” Chaz asked from behind me.
    “Who knows or cares,” I responded.
    “Listen, can we talk?”
    “Yeah, walk with me.” I wanted a beer from my own fridge and to get away from the bullshit.
    We’d barely reached the dressing room when he started gushing again. “Thanks for giving me a chance tonight.”
    “After your show of support, it’s the least I could do.”
    For a second he looked like he was about to cry. “For the record, I meant what I said. I believe you didn’t take the Oxy,” he stammered.
    Grabbing two bottles of beer from the fridge and the opener, I handed him one and flopped down onto one of the chairs. “That means a lot to me, man.” I opened my beer and tossed the opener to him.
    “Do you have any idea who would do that to you?” he asked.
    “Not a clue, do you?”
    He jerked back in surprise. “Why would you ask me that?”
    Before I could answer Luke, Nash and…Misty walked in. Like a vulture zeroing in on its prey she spotted the beer in my hand. It was hard not to notice how perfect her lips were when she mashed them together in disgust like that. As if sensing my amusement her eyes narrowed into squinty little slits.
    “Got anymore?” Luke asked.
    “Help yourself,” I answered, nodding to the fridge.
    He walked over to the fridge and opened it. “Nash? Mallory?” he asked.
    Mallory. I hated to admit it but I liked it a million times better than Misty or Marlene.
    “Yes,” Nash replied.
    At the same time Mallory said, “No thanks. You,” she directed at me, “should not be drinking, and you,” she directed at the guys, “should not be enabling him.”
    “It’s only one beer,” I playfully whined. Inside I was seething. The fuck if she’s going to dictate what I can and can’t drink.
    “One beer has destroyed many a man,” she challenged.
    “Only if the man has the tolerance of a pussy,” I flipped back at her. Both Chaz and Luke snickered. I waited for her to give me another sassy comment and was slightly disappointed when she turned and walked out of the room.
    “Awww, come back,” I called after her.
    “You probably shouldn’t taunt her,” Nash said.
    “You’re probably right,” I agreed. He smiled and I returned it with one of my own. It was progress.
    “Cheers to a good show,” I announced, and held up my bottle.
    “Cheers to a good show,” everyone repeated.