Page 20 of One Last Song

I sit up and lean back against the cushions, swinging one leg over the other. Tony glances over at me. He gives me a thin smile and a nod before turning his attention to the other two.

“Someone needs to tell him to get his ass here now. If it’s me, he’s not going to answer.” Tony jerks his chin at Ben. “Send the message and get him here. I’m tired of this shit. I’ve been entertaining it for far too long.”

Ben pulls out his phone and sends a message before leaning deeper into the couch cushions. He runs a hand down his face, looking like he’s aged a hundred years in a matter of minutes.

“Now, apart from the obvious, how is practicing for the show going?” Tony looks at me, clearly waiting for an answer.

“Good. I’ve picked up most of the songs quickly and I’m working my way through the new ones.” I pick at one of the loose threads on my ripped jeans. There’s something about sitting with the man who ruined my career that makes me feel sick to my stomach.

Tony nods and pulls out his phone, scrolling through something before looking up at me. “How often is Tyler late?”

My pulse pounds as I look at him. If I tell Tony the truth, then he is going to use it to confront Tyler. Which means that Tyler is going to be even more pissed off with me than he already is.

Not that I care too much, although it hurts when I look at him and see nothing but hate in his eyes. If there’s anyone who should be angry about this entire situation, it’s me. I might have agreed to it, but I didn’t think that working with Tyler was going to be as hard as it is.

I can get through this. I have to get through this. If I want the money, then putting up with Tyler is the only option.

It’s the same mantra that goes through my mind every other day when I arrive at the studio. Though I love teaching guitar to kids,the money pays the bills, but it doesn’t pay for much else. That’s why I keep showing up to the studio even though I dread seeing Tyler.

No matter how many times I walk through those doors to join the band, it still feels like walking into a lion’s den.

There is no telling what kind of mood Tyler is going to be in. Some days are great, and others are miserable. Then there are the days when I consider telling Tony that the money isn’t worth it.

As Tyler storms through the doors with his pants undone and a stained shirt, I’m sure that today is going to be another one of those days.

At least I’m going to be able to tell Tony to shove the show up his ass in person.

The corner of my mouth twitches. Tyler glares at me before stopping in front of Tony and stuffing his hands in his pockets. The air in the room grows thick as Tony stands, taking up the small amount of space that was between the two of them.

“Is there a problem?” Tyler asks, his tone snarky as he looks down at Tony. “Because the last time I checked, when I show up to rehearsal is none of your business.”

“Rein it the fuck in,” Tony says, matching Tyler’s tone. “My job is to make sure that you’re doing your job the best you can. Being nearly two hours later to rehearsal isn’t the best you can. Now, get your ass in the studio and start performing.”

Tyler spins and stalks into the studio. The rest of us follow him in there, getting ready to play as Tyler does up his pants. Westart the first song of the set — an old duet — and Tyler begins to move around. He dances as he sings, making his point to Tony.

There’s no denying that Tyler can do his job, even when he smells like stale cigarettes and whisky sours.

Me and Tyler stay on opposite sides of the room as we perform. I sway as I strum, getting into the music, only for Tony to shake his head as the song comes to an end.

“This isn’t going to work,” he says, gesturing between me and Tyler. “The two of you used to be electric when you stepped on the stage together. It was magic. Where the hell has that gone?”

My cheeks flame as I press my lips together. There’s no way I’m going to tell Tony that sleeping with Tyler ruined what chemistry there was between us.

“You two are going to have to get that chemistry back.” Tony gives Tyler a dark look before heading out of the studio. He sits in the main room, watching us.

“No way,” Tyler says, turning to glare at me. His gaze bores through me. “That isn’t going to happen. I can’t make chemistry happen with a frigid bitch.”

“Are you fucking kidding me?” I take my guitar off and put it on the stand before stalking over to him. “I’ve tried to be professional with you, but this is insane. Get over yourself, Tyler. We’re doing this whether you like it or not.”

Tyler looms over me, his cheeks turning red. “I never wanted you here and I’m not going to keep putting up with it. Have a good fucking rehearsal.”

He nods to the other two before taking off. Tony groans and follows him out the front door, already shouting by the time theyhit the driveway. I sigh and look at Matt and Ben. Matt tosses a drumstick high in the air before catching it and hitting the cymbal.

I laugh and run my hand through my hair. “Let’s just go through a couple more songs and call it a day. There’s no way that Tyler is coming back.”

Sure enough, a car starts a few minutes later, leaving the three of us to try and rehearse without our lead singer.

Paige holds the bottle of white wine high above her head as she walks into the living room. I lean back against the couch cushions, half a slice of meat lover’s pizza dangling from my mouth.

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