Page 137 of The Sounds of Her

“Cute?” Archer pulls a face. “We were never cute.”

“Let me see.” Nick walks to me and leans over my shoulder. He chuckles and I hold the photograph up for Archer to see.

They are babies. I’d guess around thirteen or fourteen. They’re in a garage with their instruments, posing like they’re tough rockstars already. Archer is holding a guitar by the fret board, so it’s vertical in front of his body, a broody expression on his face.

Adam is beside him with his arms folded over his chest and his chin tilted.

Jordan is crouched down on the floor, grinning and throwing up rock horns with both hands.

“Nick, you need to grow your hair out again,” Elsa says from the floor.

“You could give Howard Stern a run for his money,” I choke out.

“Hey, my curls are beautiful,” Nick says, offended at my comparison. “I’d say it looks more like Jason Momoa in Aqua Man.”

Even Archer bursts out laughing at that one. “We were all so fucking happy when he cut that hair off,” he slaps a hand over his chest to calm himself. “He was bringing down our street cred.”

“Chicks dug it,” Nick pouts.

“I love your curls, baby.”

I make a puking gesture with my fingers, but neither of them seem to care, as Nick goes over and crouches down to kiss Elsa.

The movers come back in to grab more boxes and Nick goes back to packing his books. I get down on the floor with Elsa and go through more pictures of the guys from when they were kids, then when they first got their record deal. I recognise Archer’s brothers in a couple of them.

It is weird to see him without his beard. When we met he had a short beard, more stubble than anything, but it’s been a full beard so long, it’s strange seeing a smooth baby-faced Archer.

It's clear from these pictures how close they all are. And still are. They always will be. They’ve taken a well-deserved break over the last few months. Jenna convinced Adam to go on their honeymoon to the cabin in Quebec, and Jordan joined Alessa on her tour. Nick and Elsa were all loved up looking for an apartment while splitting their time between LA and New York.

Archer has been writing songs like a madman. He’s written almost three albums worth, though he tells me more than half are trash.

I asked him whether he will ever consider doing a solo album. At first, he was adamant that will never happen, but he brought it up a couple more times. I’ve seen him staring at the songs when he thinks I’m not watching him in his music room. I don’t know what effect it would have on BreakNeck if he wanted to do a solo album, but if it’s what he wants, I’ll support him all the way.

Adam and Jordan are going to come over later with Jenna and Alessa before Nick leaves. I haven’t moved in yet, not for lack of Archer trying. It is the plan, but I still like to make him work for things.

“Are you two going to just sit there and let us do all this?” Archer asks.

“You only just showed up,” I fire back.

“Whoa, be careful,” Nick shouts.

I peer around Archer to see one mover struggling with a box hanging in his arms.

“You got rocks in here?” the guy asks with a grimace as he gets a grip on it.

“Just be careful man, that’s precious cargo.”

Elsa rolls her eyes at my confusion. “His books.”

“Why do you have all these books? I thought you had an e-reader.”

“When I really like a book, I get the physical copy,” Nick says.

“You’re such a fucking girl,” Archer punches Nick in the stomach.

Later, when everyone else comes around to commemorate Nick’s last night here, we order Korean and Thai food. Jordan brought a crate of beer, lugging it over his shoulder.

The guys kick back, watching a soccer match. The Red Bulls are taking on Savannah FC. I won’t say I’m suddenly a fan of soccer, but I do like watching some of those men running around in their tiny shorts and knee socks.

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