Page 32 of Touch in the Dark

Janie already started on getting the big things. I’d sent over a list after Thanksgiving, but I want to put a personal touch on things this year. It’s been really different to what I’ve been used to over the last decade.

I’m halfway home when Jordan calls and asks if I want to head over to his place for a poker game, saying a couple of the Red Alert guys are gonna be there. I get on pretty well with them and with Archer not around, it at least gives someone else a chance to win. I swear if that guy weren’t in a band, there would be fighting over him in Vegas to become their high rolling Casino Whale. Someone who regularly bets hundreds of thousands and lures in other players. He’d wipe them out.

Rather than head back home and back out again, I jump a cab to Jordan and Adam’s building. The doormen here know me, and I ask them to hold on to my shopping bags so I don’t have to take them upstairs because I know Jordan will stick his head where it doesn’t belong. Once upstairs, I greet Dylan and Nash Gibson, the brothers from Red Alert.

“You come with no offerings?” Jordan looks appalled at my lack of snacks or booze.

I ignore him and head to the kitchen to grab a beer. It’s not like he isn’t already stocked up for the night. He follows me, leaving the others to set up the table.

“What are you looking so pissed off about?” I ask, taking out four bottles and handing him one.

“Archer went to Disneyland.”

At first, I’m not sure why he looks annoyed, then realise Jordan wanted to go too. The big kid feels left out. I slap his shoulder in mock commiseration, and head back out to the living room. Dylan and Nash accept their beers. Nash is the oldest brother and lead singer of the band, Dylan, I think is around twenty-two, or three and plays rhythm guitar. It’s obvious they still get awe struck around us, but I try to set them at ease, helping set things up. Jordan has a wooden poker table cover which weighs a fucking ton, so it takes the three of us to get it up and set out on the dining table.

“How’s the album coming along?” I ask.

“Great,” Dylan says, a genuine smile spreading across his face. “It finally feels like something is happening. We’ve been at it so long, it felt like we’d never get there.”

“You’ve got a great sound, great group of people and Bliss is a good label,” I add.

“Thanks, appreciate that,” Nash says, taking his seat.

“Letting this fool get involved might not be such a great idea though,” I wave my thumb back towards where Jordan is still in the kitchen.

“Nah, he’s been great,” Dylan says. “We know how incredibly lucky we are to have him helping us out. He’s already steered us through some pitfalls we wouldn’t have known about.”

“I never realised he paid that much attention,” I laugh. I sip more beer and sit down, then focus on Nash. “How’s your girl?”

“Good,” he grins. “Her and Alessa are out doing their own thing tonight.”

“I don’t know how you do it. I mean, it’s bad enough being stuck on a tour bus with three guys I consider as close as brothers. I couldn’t imagine being with my girl twenty-four seven too.”

“If you’ve ever heard the term joined at the hip, Riley and Nash take that into the stratosphere.”

“We’re not that bad,” Nash frowns at his brother.

“Dude, you’ve checked your phone at least six times since we got here. She’s fine. She’s with Alessa and, as much as it pains me to say it, we’re not all that recognisable yet. No one will bother them.”

“They’re two hot chicks, don’t be so sure,” I stir.

Nash looks like he’s going to puke.

“They’re not alone,” Jordan comes in wearing a green and white visor hat, the kind with no top, and a bowl full of chips. “I got Alessa security weeks ago. He’s with them.”

“Do they know that?” I ask knowingly.

Jordan winks. “Course not. Alessa would kill me, but she needs to get used to it, when you guys are huge, it’ll be a given security will be there. For now, he’s just keeping any undesirables away.”

“Alessa will flip her shit if she finds out,” Dylan points out, opening the fresh deck of cards on the table. “Besides, she scares me, and I know her. No one would dare come near her.”

“Yeah, I totally trust her to keep Riley safe,” Nash grins, over my comment.

“Can I just ask why no one has said anything about this?” I point at Jordan’s hat.

“It’s Jordan,” Dylan shrugs. We all laugh again. He’s clearly spent a lot more time with these guys than I realise, if they know him that well.

“Ten bucks buy in sound good?” Jordan asks everyone and we all agree.

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