Page 65 of Beyond the Stix
“If there’s room for two, you bet your ass I will be,” Pen says straight-faced.
For a second, I think he’s joking, but by the stoic look on the bodyguard’s face, he isn’t kidding.
“Okay.”
“What’s your issue with the signing?” Dante chimes in, slightly annoyed.
“This year’s spot for the signing has the band more exposed than they were last year. And with last night’s situation, not onlydo my guys have to keep the fans from coming around the tables, but we have to make sure Jessup doesn’t show up.”
“Wait, I thought he was kicked out—didn’t the cops take him to jail?” I ask, glaring at Tobias before swinging my eyes to Danny, who should have told me about my uncle. “What happened after I left?”
“This isn’t the time—” Dante begins to say but I quickly stand and glower at them.
“Don’t patronize me. I want to know what happened.” I turn to Tobias. “Tell me the truth.”
“He escaped.”
“He escaped?” I can’t believe what I’m hearing. My pulse jacks up, and a rush of blood is pounding in my ears. I drop back into the seat, while taking calming breaths to ease the sudden tension flooding my body.
“Connor,” Danny says, his hand gripping mine tightly. “Breathe.”
“How did he escape?” I demand between breaths.
“It’s our fault.” Dom steps up, along with Pen.
“A crowd was growing around us and the paparazzi were taking pictures, and in that brief moment where our focus was on them, that’s when Jessup got loose. I’m sorry.” Pen drops his gaze to the floor.
“And we’re supposed to trust you when there will be an even bigger crowd today than there was last night?” I cover my face with my hands, dreading the next question I have to ask. “Does John know about Jessup escaping?”
“This isn’t his fault, Con,” Danny answers quickly.
“Does he?” My voice jumps up an octave, and my eyes land on Tobias.
“Yes,” he says evenly. “But you have nothing to worry about, Connor. We have you protected.”
“Protected?” I swallow hard at the ominous word.What does Tobias know that I don’t?
And how can I be so stupid? To think, I said sorry to John for my anger, when again, he had a chance to be honest with me, and tell me the truth about Jessup. Out of everyone, he should have told me.
More so than ever, I realize that I can’t trust John.
“Tobias.” Danny pulls his boyfriend’s attention. “What is going on?”
“No, Danny. I don’t want to know.” I suck back the ache growing in my chest and say, “Finish what you have for us, Tobias.”
Silence fills the space, before someone clears their throat, and Tobias finishes the security briefing.
I glance at Danny, whose eyes are fixed on me. He wants to talk, but I’m tired of talking. I’m tired of listening. I’m tired, period. With a slight shake of my head, my friend gives me his puppy eyes, but that won’t work this time. I turn my attention to the sticks in my hands and focus on what I have to do today.
Once our security team has been given their assignment, we work out the song list for our forty-five-minute time slot. Being the last band for tonight, we might be able to slip an extra song in for an encore, but that will depend on whatever else happens.
As we headto the stage for our practice slot, I spot several bands, including Grindstone and F-Hole. I’m familiar with both bands’ kickass music. The guys and I are ecstatic to be a part of the talented lineup for this year’s Rocktoberfest.
“Hey, Dante, did you make any arrangements for make-up with Tyler Kennedy?” Danny asks, as we pass his trailer.
“I don’t see it on the schedule. Ron didn’t tell me either. Why? Are you interested?” Dante’s right brow hike up. “I can see if he has some time, if you want.”
“No. I was just curious,” he says, but I can tell by the look on Danny’s face that he wouldn’t mind it.