Page 47 of Higher Notes

“Agreed.” With Josh in agreement that put the three of us on the same page. That was all I needed. Hopefully Mickey would get through to Marley before he fucked up a chance to be his own man away from Daddy’s money and under his wing.

Yeah, I’d done a bit of digging after the dinner convo at Mickey’s the other night. Spoiled rich kid didn’t even cover the shit I found. Marley never said anything about being hauled off to jail before but the internet told all.

It wasn’t my place to tell anyone what to do with their money but when you’re scraping by like my family was while someone else lived the high life and got nothing more than a smack on the hand thanks to Daddy’s money, it fucking hurt. Then to half-asseverything band related was the cherry on the proverbial sundae and one I was about to melt.

“Why don’t you guys come up to the bar? I’ll treat ya to a meal and a beer?” It was rare Josh offered and the need for a beer was strong.

“I’m game. Nigel?”

“While I appreciate the offer, I need to get home. Millie already lives with me, but I want to get this done legally so Haley can’t come back later and claim I kidnapped her.” Man, I felt for the guy. His ex was an addict, and it was hard on him to have zero control over what Millie had been exposed to.

“I bet Easton could help you with that.”

“He, um, he already is. Diamond got that ball rolling. His exact words werefuck that shit, get her out of that situation nowand well, they did. Cops showed up with Millie that night. I’ll forever be in their debt, and I’ll be damned if I’m doing anything that doesn’t make them proud and all of us money.”

“Ditto. They gave me a second chance when they didn’t have to. We’re with you on this Marley sitch, Jason.”

“Thanks, guys, I just hope we don’t have to make the decision for him. Marley’s always been a friend, and I’d like it to stay that way.” Fucker better get his shit right.

“Amen, my brother. Let’s head out.” Josh packed up his beloved baby girl. I locked up and loaded into my usual spot in the backseat of the truck.

“You all right, Jase?” Snipe asked as we merged into traffic. “Never seen you so mad.”

“Yeah, it just pisses me off. Like the rest of us are busting our asses while Daddy’s little troublemaker rides out the waves. I don’t ride on anyone’s shirttails. I’ve worked my ass off for all I have, and I’ll never stop.”

“That’s the right attitude to have but I had to report this to Fizzbo,” Sikes chimed in. “I hope you’re not mad at me?”

“We all have jobs to do, and I’ll never be mad at you for doing yours or for doing what’s right. The three of us are in a relationship behind our jobs, or that revolve around our jobs. However you want to look at it. I know our safety is first and foremost but had Snipe not stopped me I honestly can’t say what I would’ve done to him.”

I’d never hit another person, let alone a friend, and I hoped to keep it that way.

“I’m ready for a beer.” And likely a shot, or twelve…

“To what do I owe the pleasure of your company?” Reagan greeted us with kind words and his usual smile. His man, however, got a sweet kiss.

“Josh said he was buying so who were we to refuse?” We took a seat at the bar.

“Drink?” Reagan asked and we each ordered a beer. “Coming right up. Food?”

“Please.” He handed us menus then got to work filling our drinks. No clue why I even asked for one, I’d already decided on the ride over I wanted wings.

“Sucks to have this hit right before release day,” Josh sighed. “Fuck, man, this is gonna hurt.”

“Ya know, I’m more pissed at myself than anyone else.”

“How so?”

“He’s been in the band since the early years. I never paid no mind, didn’t ask if he worked a job or how he got his car. None of my business, I figured. Meanwhile, we’re working band practice around everyone else’s work schedule. Hell, when we’re not on the road Nigel works for his parents. I’m finally down to just the band but there were times I worked two jobs plus this. I just figured Marley had a flexible work schedule, not that he probably didn’t work at all.” But where did you draw the line question wise? “Working as much as Nigel and I did, we never hung out aside from band practice.”

“Figured I’d find you both here.”

Josh and I whipped around on our stools so fast at the sound of Marley’s voice we nearly fell on our asses.

“Yeah? What do you want?” I wasn’t relenting. Even if I wanted to, I’d stewed so long the attitude was hard to shake.

“I got into music just to piss my dad off.”

That explained a lot.

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