Page 166 of Goodbye Note

“You told us you have to tell us all together, in person. You drove your ass up from LA in the fucking traffic, then insisted on hard liquor. For what?”

John made a guilty face. “You’re not going to like it, but just know this is the best way to re-harness all the fans and energy you need to make this comeback.”

“I don’t like the sound of this.”

“It doesn’t matter. It has to be done.” John was dedicated, I’d give him that.

“What fucking trick do you have up your sleeve that I’m not going to like?” It had to be a gimmick or something to do with my father. What else would I hate that much?

“You’re going to co-headline an arena tour.”

It clicked, and I was on my feet. “No.”

“You can take solace that he’s as unhappy as you are about it. But do you know how many fans will come out to see the two most popular acts coming back together after seventeen years?”

“I’d rather be poor.” The divorce was going to fuck me. Lindsay had expensive taste, and we hadn’t done anything for the band for the last four years, but I couldn’t do months of that. No way.

“Just listen.” John was on his feet, too, like he’d chase and tackle me to make me listen if he had to. Man might have been like sixty, but he could outrun all of us.

“I don’t care what you have to say. My mental health is already in a fragile place with my life falling apart. I can’t do four months of touring with a guy who hates my existence.”

“Six to eight, but who’s counting?”

“You want me to end my life, don’t you? Is this some elaborate plot for life insurance money? You know, I read a whole study that said rock stars were more valuable dead than alive, and I’m starting to think this is what’s going on here.” I slowly backed away from the table.

“Sit the fuck down, Varian. Gods, sometimes you’re so dramatic.” Val used his ‘don’t fuck with me’ voice, so I did as he asked.

“Do not take me sitting as any kind of agreement to do this.” I crossed my arms.

John launched into his diatribe, attempting to convince me.

Early retirement sounded better and better. They could find a new fucking singer. Blink did it for years.

“What do you think?” John asked.

The guys had comments and questions, but they sounded mostly positive. Fucking traitors, but that would leave me outvoted.

“I have a question.”

John’s eyes flicked over.

“How are you going to get Arik to be in the same arena as I am? Last time I checked, he bailed on an awards show where he won Album of the Year because he heard a rumor I was going to be there.” It was my ultimate squash to this whole mess.

“Why would his team have agreed to negotiations if he wasn’t on board? He’s their lead singer.” John had expected the question and had an answer.

I wasn’t even mad.

I wanted to know why Arik had fucking agreed to this.

FORTY-NINE

ARIK

“We have the man of the hour with us now on K97.3 Rock to Rise.” Lennon Roy introduced me when they came back from commercial. “Arik Vesper is here this morning to talk about Second Star’s new album. This album is… Honestly, I’m not sure there are words for how good it is. I’ve been listening to it on repeat since you sent it over, and I will say I’ve always been a fan, but this is—wow.”

“Thank you.”

“We’ve had a lot of chats over the years, and I think I’ve gotten to know you pretty well, so it was a little hard for me to come up with new questions and make this interesting.” Lennon laughed. “But I think I came up with a few.”

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