Page 140 of Forbidden Lyrics

“You’re in the hospital, son. I’m here because I was worried about you.”

Blinking slowly, Fender frowns and repeats, “I screwed up, Dad.”

“Gibson’s right.” Donny lifts his chin toward me. “We’ve all screwed up in one way or another. You’ll get through this.”

“The tour…,” Fen starts again.

“Can be salvaged,” Dad informs him. “Like I said, I already spoke with Hawthorne.”

“What did he…?” Fen squeezes his eyes shut and tries to focus. “What did he say?”

“He has a few conditions to make the tour work, and I have to say that I agree with him.”

“Screw the tour,” I argue as Fen asks, “What conditions?”

Donny lifts his hands, silently begging for patience before explaining, “You need to go to rehab, son. There’s a great place in Utah that has an immediate opening. We can get you checked in as soon as you’re released from the hospital.”

“And the tour?” Fen prods.

“Will finish without you.”

My eyes widen in surprise while Fender’s frown deepens.

“H-how?” he asks.

Donny Hayes looks up at me, the familiar resemblance startling me all over again. “If Gibson and Dove Walker hold down the fort until you’re ready to come back and perform.”

Her name acts like a knife to my chest, making it hard to breathe. “I can’t––”

Fen interrupts me. “We worked too hard to throw it away now.”

Donny leans forward, resting his elbows on his thousand-dollar jeans. “Most likely, you’ll miss the rest of this tour, Fender. But the band won’t take the hit.”

“I don’t deserve to be in the band. Not after the shit I pulled.”

“That’s bullshit, and you know it,” I insist. “You’re the face of that band––”

“No, I’m not. You read the reviews. You heard what Josh said––”

“I’m not gonna argue with you on this, Fen––”

“Good. Because there’s nothing to argue. I’m done dragging the band down,” Fen announces.

“This is not the time to make brash decisions, Fender,” Donny scolds.

For once, I agree with him.

“And it’s not a permanent restructure of the band, either,” he continues. “Gibson’s right. You’re a key member of Broken Vows, but when one of the members needs a break to take care of themselves, we look for alternative solutions. Whether it’s taking a break as a whole, or hiring a replacement for a short period of time, or hell, even reevaluating the band’s structure to fit in a permanent new face or two if it’s the right decision. But that doesn’t mean you’re out of the band or that you don’t deserve to be part of it anymore. Understand?”

Fender’s jaw is tight, but he gives Donny a nod.

“Good. Look at it this way. Broken Vows can gain some more fans while you’re recovering, and you’ll be able to save your name in the business, as well. People appreciate when others own up to their shit, and that’s what you’re going to do. Your career isn’t over. Not by a long shot.”

“Regardless of my shitty situation, the band should be allowed to succeed,” Fender decides, his body melting back into the firm mattress as he looks up at me. “You guys should do it.”

“Wait,” I interrupt. “You guys don’t get it.”

“What’s wrong?” Donny asks.

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