Page 41 of Goodbye Note

Fox glanced between us, and I could see the wheels in his head turning. “He claiming you?”

I coughed, stuttering to come up with a reply that wasn’t sexual.

“‘Course I am. You gonna fight me for him?” Arik replied without missing a beat.

I blinked.

“Come on, man, you have to at least split custody with us. I need some compensation here.” Fox made it sound way dirtier than he meant it.

“What are we talking here? Do I gotta give you visitation?”

“Can we make a trade?” Fox asked suspiciously.

I stared at him. “Who the fuck are you trading me for?”

Fox didn’t give me an ounce of attention, focusing on Arik. “I want Ser. He’s got the voice of an angel and those guitar skills.”

“You fucking replacing me?” Vallen asked, shoving Fox out of the way to get into the bus.

“Arik started it. I’m just trying to get us a better deal,” Fox said, showing no remorse.

“Damn, that’s cold. But I’m in.” Vallen met my eyes.

Arik jumped to his feet. “No take-backsies. He’s got to play with us tomorrow.”

“Only if you get Ser out onstage with us.” Vallen drove a hard bargain.

“Done. I’ll blackmail him or something.”

Fox devolved into laughter, falling on the floor. “Fuck, I’m way too drunk for this.”

“Where’s Bronx?”

The guys looked around.

“He was with us a minute ago…” Vallen made a guilty face.

“You fucking lost our bass player on day one?”I stared at the ceiling. “You clowns act like this is our first tour. You know how easily Bronx gets lost.”

“In my defense, he’s easy to lose,”Fox said, still laughing. “Don’t worry. Someone will adopt him.”

“We can’t play without a bass player.” I shoved to my feet, grabbing Arik’s arm on a whim. “Come on, let’s go find him.”

“I’ll come help since you two are stoned off your ass,” Vallen offered.

“No,” I said. “You lost him. Just Arik and I are going.” It might have come off mean, but after the buildup, I wanted time alone with Arik.

TWELVE

VARIAN

“I want to catch Second Star.” I dragged Vallen with me for their open set.

“But why?” The worst thing about touring with my brother was that he knew me better than anyone else.

“So I don’t have to stand in the crowd alone.”

“You’re going to get mobbed in there.”

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