Page 15 of Down Beat

Still—he’s killer with an axe, and that’s what matters most.

“Why you doing this?” Toby eyes me as he turns the bottle on the table between his pinched fingers. “When are you going to start giving a fuck about the people you trample on to get where you are?”

“Ouch, bro.”

“I’m serious.” He cocks an eyebrow. “If there’s one thing that’s kept me busy in our journey to where we are, it’s making sure you don’t stick your neck out a little too far. You’re an arrogant asshole man.” He smirks. “Said in the most loving way.”

“Compliment taken,” I murmur, giving him the side eye. “Somebody in the family had to be the jackass so you’d get all the charm.” He rolls his eyes. “I don’t know why I’m doing it though.” I tap the end of my cigarette and watch as the last of the ash falls to the balcony floor. “She just….” I shrug. “It doesn’t matter.”

Truth is, I don’t know. Not like she’s done anything to me to deserve it. I just have an inane need to prove that my epic music is what the people want, not her vintage bullshit.

“Buddy.” Toby punches me in the arm as I swipe up the bottle of liquor. “Everything matters when it comes to you.”

“What you trying to say?” I tease, opening the sliding door.

“You’re high maintenance, man. Fucking high maintenance.” He smirks. “You’re lucky we’re related, otherwise I probably would have told your diva ass to get fucked years ago.”

“I’m the lead, brother. It’s in my job description to be a diva.”

“Lucky it comes naturally then, huh?”