Page 36 of Dangerous Encore
"Fuck, Young. You promised I could take it all off." That's a familiar deepvoice.
And it's loud. I can hear it all the wayoverhere.
"Hell. Fucking. No. I never want to hear your grunt again. How the fuck did you convince Miles to let you sing backup on a single track much less three?"Thattoo.
Pete and Tom Steele step inside. The bassist and the drummer are brothers. Foster brothers technically. They look nothing alike. Pete is all dark, mysterious features and Tom is all light hair, light eyes, and oodles of charm. But it's clear they'rebrothers.
They fight like an old marriedcouple.
Way back in high school, the three of us were in a band together. Along with some singer we replaced several times. We parted ways when Mom and Dad first bailed and I decided to prove I didn't give a fuck about anything, but we've always stayedfriends.
"Fuck, Kingston. This place is excessive." Tom steps forward. "What's the point of a giant house if it's got no furniture? It looks like apornset."
"You're welcome for the invite." Logan shakeshishead.
"Not your bachelor party." Tom nods hello to me. "Youterrifiedyet?"
"A little," Iadmit.
"That's normal,"Petesays.
"Where's Miles and Drew?"Iask.
"Fuck, aren't you happy to see me?" Tom feigns being stabbed in the gut. "Where the fuck isMiles?"
"Something about wanting nothing to do with your debauchery," Pete says. "He'll be there tomorrow.Drewtoo."
"Drew can't be torn away from Alexandria and his once again pregnant wife." Tom rollshiseyes.
"You're so fucking jealous." Petechuckles.
"Willow's always at their place," Tomcomplains.
"She's a good aunt,"Petesays.
"Did I say otherwise?" Tom foldshisarms.
Pete chuckles. "Jealousy isn't anattractivelook."
"You think I give a fuck about what you find attractive?" Tom shakes his head. "We're here to congratulate Ethan. And we're just sitting around? Isn't this aparty?"
"It's calledconversation."
"I know aboutconversation."
"It's sad. The envy. Really?" Pete looks to us forconfirmation.
Tom does seem jealous. It's not like him. I've known the guy since he was fourteen, and I've never seen himjealous.
"Is it wrong to want my wife around?"Tomasks.
"Why don't you play withAlexandria?"
"Ido."
"But?"
"She's a natural drummer, and Drew fucking stops me every time Iencourageher."
