Page 107 of Goodbye Note

I swallowed a few times, trying to find my voice. “Of course he’s not.”

“What the fuck?” Arik asked.

Val turned my phone around so he could read it.

Piece of Shit: I’ll be in Nashville for a show tomorrow and I thought I’d get in a day early and come to your gig since your mother’s birthday is coming up. I thought you, your brother and I could get dinner. It would be good to catch up. – Dad

“What kind of douche signs his text messages?” Arik sat next to me, slipping an arm around my shoulders.

“Our fucking father who doesn’t know how to use his phone.” Val scoffed. “He probably didn’t even write it. I bet his guitar tech did.”

“What the fuck do I even say?” I pulled my knees into my chest and leaned into Arik.

“No?” Arik suggested.

“I like that. No is a full sentence.” Val paced the bus. “Bastard.”

“He hasn’t messaged you?”

Val pulled out his phone and held it out to me. “Have a look. He hasn’t said a word to me.”

I tossed his phone on the table without looking at it. “I believe you.”

Vallen nodded. “You know he’s going to show up no matter what.”

I pressed my eyes closed. “How the fuck will I go on?”

Arik squeezed my arm. “Want me to go on for you?”

“Would you at least be there? Onstage or something?” I looked into his eyes.

“Of course.”

Val rubbed the back of his head. “He could get backstage passes. He knows everyone.”

“The guys and I can play defense to keep him away from you two.”

“We will,” Fox chimed in between bites.

“If I wouldn’t go to jail, I’d punch him right in the mouth,” Bronx spat.

“I’ll get Second Star on it, too.”

I shook my head. “You can’t do that. He’s not right.”

“What is he going to do? Pick a fight?” Arik squeezed me into him.

“He fucking might,” Vallen replied before I could.

“Let him try,” Arik said.

“That. Let him,” Bronx added.

I wiped my eyes. “Thanks, guys.”

* * *

I hadn’t eaten all day, and my stomach had twisted itself into knots by the time we were slated to go onstage. I didn’t know how I was going to keep playing if I saw his fucking face.

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