Page 117 of Fire
They don’t know that each time we get a normal result, Hendrix’s attitude improves exponentially.
While mine plummets as I wait for the phone to ring again.
“Good,” I manage to say. “It was really fun. I’ve never been to Seattle, so we hit all the touristy places. I saw them toss the fish at Pike Place.”
“I’ve never seen that,” Elena says. “They really throw them?”
“They do! It’s impressive.” I give his arm a gentle tap. “You’re all set.”
He inspects the stitches. “Nice. Thanks.”
“You need to keep it covered, so maybe stick to a T-shirt on stage for the next few days.”
“Good idea,” Elena says. “The internet would go crazy trying to figure out what happened to you.”
“Definitely don’t need that kind of attention.”
“Is it hard?” I suddenly ask. “The attention. The constant invasion of privacy?”
Elena presses her lips together as she glances over at Zander. They must have some sort of silent conversation about who’s gonna field my question. Zander must win. “Yes. It’s hard. It can feel isolating not being able to do normal, everyday things like go to the grocery store or take my family on a vacation without a security detail.” He sighs, and I feel a bit guilty for asking, but I have to know. After being out with Hendrix last week and experiencing only a fraction of the attention Zander gets, I need to understand what it’s like.
Because if we eventually have thatwhat happens nexttalk, and there’s a future for us, I want to know I can handle it.
No matter whatitmight end up being.
“But on the other hand, how many people get to live this life? I know musicians who have worked their whole lives and never got a tenth of the success I’ve been lucky enough to have. I was never one of those guys who wanted the fame and fortune. That was always Hendrix’s dream.”
I feel my stomach knot, but I know he’s right. Since the moment I met him, there is nothing Hendrix has wanted more in this world than to perform.
To play music in front of a massive crowd.
To live out his dreams through his love of music.
My phone buzzes in my pocket.
When I pull it out, my heart stops. Eric’s name flashes across the screen.
“I, uh…I’ve got to take this.”
“Sure.” Elena nods, a crease forming between her brow as she watches my mood shift. “We’ll get out of your way. Thanks for taking care of him.”
“No problem,” I manage to say.
As I answer, I swallow down the lump in my throat, knowing this may be the call that ruins everything.
Chapter Thirty-Five
HENDRIX
“All good?” Asher says into the mic. We’ve just run through a chorus of a popular Manic song after doing our individual sound checks, and I can tell Asher is ready to wrap this up. He keeps checking his watch and running a hand through his hair.
“We’re good. Thanks, guys.” I hear the production manager confirm in my earpiece, and a half-second later, Asher is charging offstage.
“Fucking hell. What’s with him today?” Darius asks as he steps up beside me.
“No idea.”
“Something must be up because he didn’t even make us run through ‘Drive’ again when you were late into the chorus.”
