Page 62 of From Drummer to Gamer

“So what?” He shrugged. “I’ll grow old and breakups happen all the time.”

“I don’t think that would be the case for them.” My eyes trailed to the happy couple who seemed to be lost in their own world, having their private conversation. Even from a distance, you could say they both adored each other.

My ears perked with attention when Katy asked her twin. “Matty, it’s almost time. Are you ready for the speech?”

“Fuck, do I really have to?” he muttered, exasperated.

I knew that the last thing Matty wanted to do in his life was get up on a stage with a room full of people to deliver a speech. He loved to stick in his dark corner, letting the rest of the band soak up the spotlight. But this dream of his was more than that, more than chasing fame or letting the mere fears rule over.

He didn’t say much about his late friend, but I understood that this meant a lot more to him than he was letting on.

At the end of the day, I felt that this was Matty’s purpose.

To create the kind of music that speaks to the soul rather than just the ears.

“God, I’m going to enjoy watching you squirm on stage. Just wait for the millions of memes I’ll be posting tonight,” Mikey snickered, catching on to the twins’ conversation.

A sudden surge of anger flooded my veins, and I snapped my eyes to him, not even caring that I was interjecting their conversation. No one spoke to Matty like that when he was already nervous about it. Especially, not in front of his number one fan in the world, but I’m keeping that certain information to myself at the moment. “He’ll be fine,” I fired toward him. “The only meme that will be floating around will be yours,” I continued the threat before sliding a reassuring smile toward Matty. “You’re going to be amazing.”

Matty blinked.

The whispers around the table dropped dead, and a flush worked its way up my skin.

Only a second passed before everyone burst out laughing, well, except for the grump next to me and Mikey, who looked like someone stole his puppy before he darted his eyes to me, and a smug grin crossed his lips. “Ah, a feisty one, huh. I love it when they’re feisty.”

My heart leaped with embarrassment. At the height of the moment, I didn’t realize I was threatening Michael DeClere, the charming playboy of the band who could get any girl to her knees.

And I must say he did it well, but he didn’t make my heart flutter like an Olympic swimmer on her way to gold. Only a pair of seafoam eyes did that.

I could feel Matty stiffen beside me at his comment. “Shut the fuck up. She’s only eighteen.” His voice held the weight of a silent warning.

Ugh, that only made my embarrassment deepen.

“Seems like someone’s being a little too defensive.” Mikey laughed, his eyes shining with mirth.

Matty just disregarded him with a roll of his eyes.

Soon, Mikey started to bicker with everyone, and it was only then that I realized he was pulling everyone’s leg, like the more grounded adult version of my brother.

Minutes later, Katy dragged all the boys to the stage, and a PR host greeted everyone before welcoming J.J. and Mikey to say a few words.

J.J. spoke confidently while his lover watched him with utmost devotion, hanging onto every word he said, while the latter, Mikey, began with a few jokes, saying he wasn’t much for speeches.

But his charm won the crowd and got them hooked. Then his tone took a serious note when he spoke about the label, even calling Matty his brother as he praised him.

It was fascinating to watch the dynamics between the bandmates, they had a certain synergy like they knew each other’s moves before one could even make it.

Made me imagine how powerful the flow would be if Landon were with them—they would be a complete package. They were after all the most famous band in the world.

I’d never seen the band perform live, coming from a small town, it was a bucket list thing for me. I hoped they’d keep me long enough to invite me to a show. Or else I’d probably swallow my pride and ask Matty for one or two ticket or probably a lifetime pass.

Excitement thudded my heart when it was finally Matty’s turn to take the stage.

“Good evening, everyone,” Matty’s deep voice echoed through the microphones. “Most of you here who know me personally must know that I’m not much for words, so I’ll keep this as short as I possibly can, so please bear with me.” His gaze regarded the spectators with a rare hint of a smile.

The air carried soft laughter from the crowd.

“This label wasn’t something we decided on a whim; this is a lifelong dream that was years in the making. A dream where the credit wouldn’t just go to me, but to all the aspiring artists who never got the chance to make it. Lost in a world where no one ever heard their creation. This one is for all artists whose dreams were cut short by the run of life, and today I stand here to send the message that True Beats is an initiative to change that narrative. Change the narrative that not everyone can be an artist, because they don’t tick off the industry standards with their looks or stage presence. True Beats will be a label that will include everyone who creates music, the real rare talent, rather than something that sells or profits from its artists.”