Page 34 of Marley

“Her name’s Georgia, after the song,‘Georgia on my Mind.’Her middle name is Rae, spelt with an E, but after the great Ray Charles.”

Lisa’s green eyes slide catlike to Maca.

“And how is Georgia doing these days, Maca? Have you guys kissed and made up? Must make things awkward, dating your best friend and bandmate’s little sister?”

Bitch.

I watch Len cover his mouth with his hand and close his eyes for a few seconds as we all wait for Maca’s response.

“From what I know, Georgia’s doing great and continuing with her education back in England,” he informs her.

“So you guys never got back together? That’s such a shame, but I hear that there’s no shortage of ladies who are only too keen to be seen on your arm. Are you seeing anyone right now?”

“I don’t see what the fuck this has got to do you with you or any other fucker.” Maca snarls at her before standing up and pulling off his mic and earpiece.

Lisa and Gary scrambled to apologise, cutting to an add break. I got up and walked towards her.

“My sister is a little girl of seventeen, trying to put her life together after you cunts shredded it to pieces. Maca is still trying to come to terms with their breakup and the trouble he brought to her door. Their split has been very well documented and that was a spiteful thing to do to him on live television. I hope you’re fucking happy with yourself.” I told her, letting my voice rise with every word.

Len was standing beside me. I thought I was about to get a bollocking when he simply said,

“Not cool, Lisa. Seriously, not cool.” He turned to Billy and Tom who were still sitting on the sofa. “C’mon, we’re done here. They’re getting no more from us.” Len told them. Turning back to the two presenters, he continued, “Pack your shit up and get out of here.”

“Now wait a minute,” The shows director, or whoever the fuck he was, stepped in. “We still have another twenty minutes of the show to broadcast.”

“I don’t give a fuck. Play some music, show some ads, I don’t care. Just get the fuck outta my room,” Len shouted.

“Boys, go back to Marley’s room, now. Milo, stay here and make sure they pack up and go.” He ordered everyone before heading out the door and up the corridor towards my room.

“What the fuck is going on, Marls? Maca’s a mess.” Billy asked.

“Yeah, thanks for stating the fucking obvious, Bill.”

“Fuck you, Marls. Tell Len I’ll be in my room. I’m not going back to your room to watch Maca fall apart. I love the boy like a brother, but he seriously needs to put his hand up his arse and pull himself together.”

“Thanks for your sympathy. I’ll be sure to pass it on,” I spat out as Billy let himself into his room.

Tommy put his hand on my shoulder as I stopped outside my room to take a few breaths before I headed in.

“Sorry, Marls. You can count me out too. My Mrs. is in my room waiting for me. I don’t need to watch Len burst a blood vessel over the state of Maca. Tell him to call my room if he needs me. I’ll see you at rehearsals.” Tommy patted me on the back before he too deserted me.

“Yeah, see ya in a bit, Tom.”

I remained standing outside my room for a few more seconds. I felt helpless. My best mate was a fucked up mess and I didn’t know what to do about it. I wanted to get drunk and off my face right along with him, but I knew that what he needed was for me to look after him. Perhaps it wasn’t a bad thing that he’d finally reached his breaking point. The timing couldn’t have been worse, but maybe he was ready to allow his head and his heart to move on, and not just his dick.

I could hear shouting from inside the room and the door swung open. Jimmie stood there, tears rolling down her cheeks.

“What the fuck, Jim? What happened?”

“Your brother, that’s what fucking happened,” she sobs.

I stepped forward and wrapped her in my arms, still holding the door open with my shoulder. Len was standing, looking out the window as I looked into the room. His fingers were laced together, hands behind his head.

“Come back in here,” I said to Jim, guiding her back into the suite. “What the fuck’s going on?” My question was aimed at whoever wanted to answer me. Apart from Jimmie’s soft sobs, I was greeted with silence.

“Where’s Maca?” I asked.

Len swung around from the window.