Page 32 of Sixty Days Of Summer

Scarlet’s face reveals her nerves as she steals a glance at Theo, who responds with a comforting nod. Xander, ever the pro, raises his hands to quiet the room, commanding attention with a practiced ease.

“One question at a time, alright? Raise your hands, and we’ll call on you in order.”

Hands shoot up everywhere, reporters desperate to get their questions answered. Xander scans the room, his eyes fixating on a reporter in the front row, their pen poised over a notepad.

"You in the front row," Xander says.

“Xander, can you give us more details about Nate’s condition and how long he’ll be out?” the guy asks, practically bouncing in his seat.

Xander takes a moment to gather himself, then responds, “Nate’s dealing with a few broken bones that require asignificant amount of time to heal. It’s going to take a few months, but trust me, he’s determined to return as soon as he can, no matter what.” He flashes a confident smile, then moves on, pointing to another reporter. “Next question.”

“Why was Scarlet picked as the replacement? What makes her the right fit for the band?”

I can feel the tension in the air—everyone’s hanging on Xander’s every word, ready to catch whatever drama unfolds. It’s like watching a pack of sharks circling, just waiting for a drop of blood. And here we are, right in the middle of it all, exposed and vulnerable.

Xander glances at Scarlet before responding. “Scarlet is seriously talented and knows our band inside and out. She has extensive drumming experience and has truly impressed us. We’re confident she’s the perfect fit to keep the tour rolling smoothly and deliver the high-energy performances our fans expect,” he explains, his voice steady and authoritative.

His assurance is like a lifeline thrown to Scarlet, and I can see her visibly relax a bit. The way he champions her only reinforces what we’ve all seen in rehearsals—the passion and skill she brings. It’s a calculated move, positioning her not just as a replacement but as an integral part of our journey forward.

He then nods to another reporter, signaling for the next question.

A middle-aged reporter turns his gaze toward Scarlet, and I watch her shift awkwardly in her seat, clearly feeling the weight of the moment.

“This one’s for you, Scarlet,” he says, the anticipation in the room palpable. “Stepping in for a drummer who has such a major impact on the band, how do you plan to maintain his style and energy while you’re only here for the tour?”

The question hangs in the air, a heavy challenge aimed right at her, and I see the flicker of nerves cross her face. She hesitatesfor a moment, her eyes scanning the room as if searching for the right words. I can practically feel her nerves radiating off her, but I know she’s stronger than she appears. She’ll get through this. Leaning forward, she speaks into the microphone.

“I have plenty of experience with his style,” Scarlet responds, her voice growing steadier as she gains confidence. “My goal is to maintain the band’s sound and energy throughout the tour. I understand there will be comparisons, and I’m ready for that, but my focus is on delivering the best performance possible for the fans.”

Before she can settle back into her seat, another reporter jumps in. “You mentioned your experience with his style. Can you elaborate on your background and how you’re connected to him?”

Scarlet hesitates for a moment, her brow furrowing as she carefully considers her response. She finally chooses to be upfront. “Actually, he’s my brother,” she admits, a hint of pride creeping into her voice. “I’ve learned a lot from him over the years.”

A buzz of disbelief fills the room, and another reporter exclaims, “Wait a minute, you’re saying you’re Nate's sister?”

“Let me jump in here,” Xander interjects. “Yes, Scarlet is Nate’s sister. She possesses the talent and style that align perfectly with the band. We’re confident she’s the right choice. Now, who has the next question?”

I can see Scarlet relax slightly at Xander's reassurance, and it’s a reminder of how much this team has her back.

“Ace, have you taken any steps to address the situation with the paparazzi after the camera incident?”

My stomach clenches with unease as the question lingers in the air. “No comment,” I reply, shifting uncomfortably in my chair. I had a feeling this shit would come up sooner or later, and it’s just as awkward as I expected.

“Next,” Xander jumps in, cutting off any further questions on that topic and pointing to another reporter.

“Xander, with the new album dropping soon, what can fans expect in terms of sound and direction compared to your previous work?”

Xander leans forward in his chair, speaking into the mic. “With the new album dropping soon, fans can expect us to return to our original sound while incorporating some new elements. Now that we’re under our own label, we’ve really focused on recapturing what made our music special from the start. It’s going to be a great mix of familiar vibes and new energy.” He gestures toward the back of the room, signaling for another question.

“Ace, following that incident where you smashed the camera, how are you dealing with the aftermath, and have you reached out to apologize?”

I shoot a glare at the asshole, my patience fraying. All these idiots care about is stirring up gossip. Leaning forward, I rest my elbows on the table. “Listen, we’re here to talk about the new album and our new drummer, so let’s focus on that.”

I lean back in my chair, crossing my arms over my chest, frustration simmering just beneath the surface. Xander gestures for another question, clearly eager to steer us away from this bullshit.

“Scarlet, is it because you’re Nate’s sister that you got this role?”

I glance over and catch the hurt flicker across Scarlet’s face. No wonder she hates this shit; they don’t see her talent; they only see her as Nate’s sister.

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