Page 86 of Harmony
The talk with Derek wasn’t as agreeable.
“I’ve got to say I’m not surprised, brother,” he said after I told him Dragon wouldn’t be returning for the rest of the tour.
I’m not your fucking brother.
I didn’t say that, of course. “We’re in a bind now, and we’d be obliged if you’d continue with the tour.”
“Absolutely. Happy to. But we’ll have to talk money. Jett only agreed to the UK portion.”
“I know, and if it’s all right with you, I’d rather not drag Jett into this. I feel bad enough that everything didn’t go as planned from the outset.”
“I get it, man. But lesson learned, you know? You can’t trust an addict.”
One, two, three, four…
“What will it take?” I ask. “Whatever you need, and it’s yours. My sisters’ fiancés will take care of the money.”
“Not a problem,” he said. “Brock and I have already come to terms.”
I shake my head. I don’t even want to know. “Great. Glad you’re on board.”
After that, Rory, Cage, Jake, and I had a light dinner, and now we’re at the venue, sound check is completed, and we’re about ready to have our moment of silence before we take the stage once more with Derek.
I close my eyes.
God, give us the strength and perseverance to rock this concert, to stay in sync, to give the audience our best. And about Dragon…
I do something I never do. I open my eyes before I’m done.
The other four, including Derek, still have their eyes closed. I close my eyes and continue.
Thank you for finding us a talented drummer. Help my attitude about him. And please watch over Dragon, and help me see this as an opportunity for him rather than a loss for the band. Help me regain my trust in him, and help him to be worthy of my trust. Thank you for this opportunity, for Emerald Phoenix, for Rory and the band, and also for Brianna. It may not be forever, but it seems to be what we both need for now.
I open my eyes, and that last thought—of Brianna—disappears.
Only the concert matters now.
We end with our one, two, three…Dragonlock!
We take the stage. The lights stream onto us. Percussion, and then guitar, and then Cage on his keys.
Rory and I sing.
And we fucking rock.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Brianna
The change in our seating that Brock mentioned turns out to be in the third row instead of the first row that we were expecting. Emerald Phoenix had a rash of VIPs who they didn’t know would attend until the last minute. Turned out okay, though, as Willie from our tour showed up and was seated next to Maddie. He had a backstage pass, and he and Maddie were chatting up a storm last I saw.
“Who is that?” Jesse asks me.
“That’s Willie. Maddie and I met him when we toured the castle. We had lunch together.”
“I don’t like the way he’s looking at her. Or at you.”
I wrinkle my brow. “Seriously? He hasn’t given me a look. Besides, I made it clear to him that I had a boyfriend.”