We sit in silence until I hear Mike let out a long exhale. He re-situates himself in his chair and leans forward. “I think I have a decent game plan. Want to hear it?”
No. I don’t. I’m petrified of what’s to come. So I say, “Sure.”
“Like you said, the first thing you have to do is break things off with Lizette.” He shakes his head glumly. Ever since I brought Lizzy around, the band and crew have always made her feel at home; she’s been like an unofficial member. Breaking her heart will hurt my friends, too.
Mike pushes aside his feelings about it all and continues. “I figure we’ll let the media freak out about it for a week or so, because lord knows it’ll be several days before they move on from the gossip.” We roll our eyes in unison. “Once that settles a bit, I think that would be the time for us to reach out to the label.” I grind my teeth together and crack my knuckles. “Now, what’re we going to do if the label doesn’t agree with what you see happening after that?”
“You mean…coming out?”
Mike raises his brows and hums his confirmation.
I sigh. “I think if we don’t get a positive answer, we should all regroup as a band and make that decision together.”
He leans forward and squeezes my shoulder. “I think that’s a good way to play this.” A pause. “And what about Drew? Is he–on board with all of this?”
“We talked last night.”
“So…I assume you will be telling the others aboutthatvery importantpart of the story at some point?” Mike asks.
“Yes. But again—that’s on his terms and is dependent on all the other obstacles coming our way.” I look up at him and smile, though I feel the gesture doesn’t meet my eyes.
The others come in from the balcony. Mike and I stand up to leave. My legs feel weighed down and my head fogs with exhaustion.
“I do want you to know one thing, Ash,” Mike murmurs in my ear as we make our way from the room. “I’m proud of you.”