Page 59 of Fractured Rhythm

Bash:Yeah, I know, but you didn’t answer the question.

Cassie:Uh. Yeah, I am. Dinner tonight, right?

Bash:Absolutely. How’s your day going?

Cassie:Great. Working on mesmerizing cakes.

Bash:Is it weird that I love those videos? So damn soothing.

I laughed.

Cassie:Why do you think we make them? The number of hits and comments are always insane.

Bash:Gotta please the people, Cas.

Cassie:How’s it going over there?

He was at the studio all day recording. I know Josh was on them to get stuff down and sent to the label. All the damn label cared about was the next album and how much money they would make. I was still pissed that they’d milked Jamie’s death for all they could. They’d even tried to get me to do interviews about the band and my brother, play the distraught sister card for more album sales. Fucking monsters.

I know they hadn’t pressured the guys for at least that first year to write new music and record a new album, but now they were on the guys’ asses to get it done and find a new drummer. They’d never understood that Steelwolf was a family. I didn’t know what I would feel when I saw Jamie’s permanent replacement one day.

Bash:Recorded three songs with Rusty. You remember him, right?

Cassie:Wow. Rusty. He’s still playing? I haven’t seen him in years.

Bash:Yeah. Tried to get him to go on tour but he said no.

Cassie:Josh already planning a tour?

Bash:Yeah. Wants to do a few local shows. Wouldn’t want our fans to forget about us.

I snorted. Like that was possible. Their popularity had grown even more after my brother died. It always happened after an artist died. I just hadn’t imagined Steelwolf getting even bigger because of Jamie hitting rock bottom.

I’d thought he’d hit rock bottom after rehab stint one, then stint two. I prayed he’d hit it by his fourth trip to rehab, but those trips had been a Band-Aid on the bullet wound of my brother’s addiction and I hated that I hadn’t realized it.

I sucked in a breath, trying not to dive into that painful spiral at work. I couldn’t get distracted by things I could never fix.

My phone dinged again.

Bash:We hired Charlie. A trial run for now, but if she works out, she’ll be on tour with us.

It was finally happening. I knew it had to, but seeing that they finally picked someone stung. It was an irrational reaction, but I couldn’t stop it from coursing through me.

Cassie:Wow. I really hope she works out for the tour. You all said she’s amazing.

Bash:She is. Fuck. This is fucking hard. I hate that Jamie isn’t here for this.

Cassie:You wouldn’t need her if Jamie was still here.

Bash:Hell. I know that. I hate doing this, but we have to.

Cassie:I know. And he’d want the band to continue. It’s just rough, you know?

Bash:I know. And I wish I was with you right now. You probably need a hug just as much as I do.

I smiled. He knew me so well, and I ached for him to wrap his arms around me.

Cassie:Tonight. For now, maybe Jax’ll give you a hug.

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