Page 62 of Before Now

“Breathe,” I say.

She actually inhales through her nose and exhales through her mouth. Maybe when this is all over, I’ll give these two a crash course in how to survive Heath Erickson. The man scents weakness on the wind and feeds on doubt. No need to let him binge. Then again, he’d get a snack out of me right now.

“I’m working on the Adams interview.” Not really, I’m avoiding him after being abandoned tits-out in a dingy bathtub. “But we’ll edit around it if we need to. Plan?”

Double nods. “Okay,” they say in unison.

My lips twitch as my phone goes off in my hand. “I’ll press Christian on the group interview.” I back away toward my own bus. “You guys are doing amazing. Maybe you should go do something fun this afternoon before the concert.”

I catch Nate’s brows dip before turning around, so I’ll assume Glory’s do too.

Seeing Xander’s scrunched face on my screen, I answer on my way past the venue’s security and the metal barricades set up, providing a straight path from our bus to the building’s exit. The video connects, and the same face is shoved into one of our couch pillows.

“I’m glad things are going better for you,” I say dryly, boarding the bus.

His muffled groan reminds me of my first month with the director. Xander can handle him, though, playing cool until he can scream into cushions.

I left my earbuds up in the loft, but everyone already went inside the venue. Of Men and Wolves did a photoshoot this morning, and the magazine sent someone for the interview that will pair with it. So, I take advantage of the silence and empty lounge area, settling onto one of the couches.

Then I have to smother a flare of annoyance over Adams North being at an interview while still dodging all attempts at mine.

I sit against the cushioned arm and stretch my legs down the cushions. “Tell me more.”

Xander rolls his head to the side, near-defeat in his pretty hazel eyes. “He’s openly torturing me at this point. I’m convinced he’s acting out because you’re not here, so really, you’re the problem.”

“Clearly,” I laugh out. “I’m sorry he’s still putting you through it, but remember, it’s his love language.”

He squints. “Heath Erickson would explode into dust before he felt enough emotion to love.”

“The prophecies do say it’s the only way to vanquish him.”

He cracks a grin and drags the pillow down, hooking an arm around it. “I have twenty minutes before I have to go help plan a baby sprinkle for Jasmine—whatever the fuck that is. Soothe me with tales from the road. How’s the tour going?”

I search to find out what he’s in for with Heath’s wife. “Great. Some of the shots we’ve gotten—God, Xan. This has so much potential if the label will let it happen. The band will be unstoppable if Mac would get out of the way.”

“And you’ll be a part of it.”

I half-smile, tapping to bring him full-screen again. “Ifthe label lets it happen.”

“They’ll have to once they see what you’re putting together. The footage I’ve seen come through with your notes is gold. I can always tell when you’re behind the lens. The entire vibe is set and direction clear.” He huffs. “Heath can’t even find shit to bitch about.” His gaze lifts as he weighs that a little. “Other than the missing Adams interview. You need to get that locked down, or I might be the one who suffers.”

I wince. “Yeah, I know.”

With it mentioned a second time in less than half an hour, my time for avoiding the one-on-one with Foster has run out. Whether either of us likes it.

The thing is, I want his answers to the questions. I’ve heard Dev’s version of the band’s origin story. Of his drummer not showing for a gig, and Felix subbing in, improvising most of the set. How they saw Foster play that same night at an open mic when they went out to drink after the show. Felix told me the heavens opened the first time they jammed all three of them. He said he never truly understood what it meant to belong until they started writing their first song.

But it feels incomplete without hearing Foster’s experience. Besides the interview questions, I want him to tell me how he became Adams North. If he’s experienced hisfuck youmoment with his dad yet, or if that happens when they play their last show on the tour at Madison Square Garden.

“Are you sure everything’s okay?” he asks. “It seems like something else is going on with this.”

A thought of confiding in him flits through. Maybe I give enough aboutAdamsI could at least talk to someone.

Xander and I’ve been bonded in the flames as far as work, and we even spent last Christmas together. But I still want the rest to stay locked away, where it belongs. The only way it can happen is to keep the past vague and the truth smudged.

I shrug it off. “It’s just rock stars being rock stars.”

“We both know what that can mean.” His expression softens. “Is everyone treating you right?”

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