Page 29 of Hamartia

“I don’t see what the fuck it has to do with our band?” Mason is saying, turning on Sam, eyes black and angry. “Why the fuck arewehere?”

Sam looks at Mason like he’s just said something particularly ridiculous.

“Because it’s Dazed fucking Magazine. You’re going to be asked about it.”

He looks at me, hoping I’ll back him up that this is absolutely the kind of thing he should have called us into Halcyon offices at noon on a Sunday for. The day after we just won a Grammy for Album of the Year.

I give him a blank stare.

Obviously, I’d been relieved it hadn’t had anything to do with me and Jae, but this isn’t our fucking business. It’s Cleo’s. It’s her I’m worried about. Cleo who had flown out to New York first thing this morning and wasn’t here for this.

“You dragged us all in here for this?” Crawford says. He looks deadly pissed off, like a cornered alligator with a hangover.

“You’re on Dillon on Tuesday, you’ve got a string of interviews coming up, your Grammy win is gonna seem like old news next to your bandmate’s brother beingAmerica’s Next Top Gay Porn Star.”

I have to stop myself rolling my eyes. Sam is a great manager, but he’s a fucking drama queen. I’m not sure if one is related to the other.

“It’s really not a big deal, Sam,” I say, calmly. “It’s not our business. It’s his. Cleo’s maybe, but even then…”

I’d met her brother a few times; and he was sweet. Gorgeous. Like androgynous Greek god kind of gorgeous, and that was before Jaehyun. Before I looked at men that way.

Not men, him.

“Makes no difference to us if her brother wants to take dick on camera…” Mase grumbles, shifting in his seat. “Little fucking faggot…” he mutters.

I only hear it because I happen to be looking at him, because I’m watching his mouth. My blood turns cold as ice, spine going ramrod straight.

“Whatdid you just say?” I ask him.

Mason straightens up, eyes narrowing.

“What?”

“That’s what I asked you. What did you just fucking say, cause it sounded like you called Cleo’s brother a faggot.” I stand up and glare down at him, snarl barely kept in check.

I feel Zeke standing up too, coming towards me.

“You said what?” Zeke is growling at my back.

“Guys, let’s just calm down here, yeah?” Sam is urging from across the table.

“And what if I did?” Mase stands up too, facing me, head up.

“Since when are youthisfucking guy? Seriously?”

“Since when do you care what kind of fucking guy I am, Rapha?”

“What does that even mean, man? You’re a fucking homophobe now? Since when?” I’m holding Zeke back with one hand as I glare at Mason.

“Oh, fuck you,” he spits and then he’s squaring up to me. Shoulders pulled back, fists clenching by his sides.

My blood feels hot as lava in my veins, anger loud in my ears as I take another step towards him.

“You wanna hit me? Fucking hit me, go.” Mason says, a cruel smirk on his face now. “I’d love to sit there and tell everyone how amazing you are with a black fucking eye—go. Hit me.”

“Don’t fucking tempt me, you piece of shit!” I growl.

Mase flinches, looking fuckinghurt,before he reaches out and pushes hard at my chest with both hands and storms out of the room. Everyone stares after him for a beat before looking each other.