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I’venever been so sure aboutGod, but with the devil down the road, maybe he’s real.Andif he doesn’t listen to me, maybe he will listen toFatherTomas.

Fuck,Ihope so.

Chapter16

“Look In My Eyes”

–Rains

Dadhuffsand throws a stack of papers aside, grumbling about the cold coffee he grabbed on accident as he ambles out of the office.Igrimace and return to the next graphic on my to-do list.

NewYear’sBallis less than three months away, soNYBHQis a mess of paperwork, phone calls, and abandoned coffee cups, but it’s still too early forDadto be muttering like this.

Myphone buzzes on the desk, lighting up with a name that sounds vaguely familiar. “Hello?”

“Hey, it’sCharlie.”

Mymind is a total blank. “Hey, what’s up?”

“Justsaw the news aboutTaintedMemoriesdropping from the festival.”

Igroan under my breath, rubbing my forehead.Coldcoffee isn’t the only reason whyDadis in a bad mood today. “Yeah, leave it to one of the most dramatic bands to fuck shit up.”

“Forreal.Can’tbelieve someone would kill themselves on stage like that.”Heclears his throat. “SoIdon’t mean to take advantage of the situation, butIwanted to tossAbjured’sname your way, if you had spots to fill.”

Isit straight up.Iremember now: they’re the deathcore bandIdidn’t get to work with sinceIquitDirtyPeachbefore their studio time, andCharlieis their guitarist. “Y’allaren’t signed, right?”

“Nah.Notyet, anyway.”

Gearsquickly turn in my head.They’vegot a great sound, and the pride and joy ofNYBhas always been our unsigned band features, butIhad chosen the last of them last week.Thenagain, wasn’t exactly planning onTaintedMemories’ drama resulting in a viral snuff video.

Multiplefootsteps enter the office.Glancingover my shoulder,ShannonandAdrianwaltz in, making themselves comfortable.

“Justpromise me none of y’all have plans for on-stage death andI’llemail the paperwork over.”

Charliesputters at the other end. “Y-yeah, no, we’re cool.Areyou serious?”

Iwrite myself a reminder on a sticky note and stick it to my computer. “Textme your email andI’llsend it your way tonight.”

“Holyshit, thanks!”

“No, thank you,”Irespond before tapping theEndbutton repeatedly.Then,Isigh heavily. “Towhat doIowe the displeasure?”

“It’stwelve-thirty,”Adriansays casually as he rests his heels on a desk.Hisblack gym shorts hike up, revealing hairy toned legs dotted with tattoos. “You’venever been late to practice before.”

Igroan. “Sorry.Thisshit withTaintedMemoriesfucked up my morning.”

WhenIspin around,Adriandoesn’t try to kiss me likeIthought he would—instead, he focuses anywhere but on me.

Shannonis perched on the edge ofDad’sdesk with arms crossed over a grayT-shirt with a blue-striped pocket, black gym shorts, and chanclas.Hisdirty blond hair is a bird’s nest. “Youdoin’ okay?”

Abrow quirks. “Asokay asIcan be after… everything.Iguess.”Iadjust in my seat jerking my chin in his direction. “What, um, what aboutKris?”

Shannonshakes his head and pushes away from the desk. “C’mon.Wegotta talk.”

Adrianjumps up and rushes out the office behindShannonbeforeIcan process thatI’mexpected to go with them.

“Hey!”Iholler, following them. “Talkabout what?”