“Mine too,” Shield said, underscoring his vote with a melodic tapping on his cymbal.
Saber’s brows drew together. “I say you’re in. It’s my band, and I have the final vote. You’re throwing up a lot of roadblocks, Cork. Don’t you want to be in the group?”
“I always dreamed of being in a band.” Cork’s expression turned wistful. “But I let that dream go after my accident, along with a bunch of others.”
“We’d be glad to have you,” Saber said.
Shield wiped his brow with a towel. “Especially if you have more catchy shit like what you added to our single. That riff is pure money.”
“Sure, I do.” Cork’s gaze brightened. It seemed to be sinking in. “I have lots of musical stuff like that inside my head.”
“Fucking A, man. Then welcome aboard.” His brow smoothing, Saber grinned. “Job’s yours if you want it.”
“I want it,” Cork said firmly.
“Always knew you were a big fan.” Saber slapped Cork on the back, wearing an expression of disbelief. “Knew you played some, but never knew you played like that until now. It’s meant to be. You know our catalog better than an outsider like Ted or . . .” Trailing off, he glanced at me.
“I can pick it up fast.” I gave him the middle-finger salute.
He liked my playing, but he got in that dig because he was still sore about me fucking his girl.
“Being that your catalog is so small,” I said pointedly, getting in a dig of my own, “it won’t take me long at all.”
“I’ll work with Journey.” Cork pulled back his shoulders, looking older and wiser than his years. “Teach him what I know.”
“Excellent.” Saber nodded approvingly. “Team player. Best new addition to the band.”
Another dig. I shook my head at his shit.
“Thanks, Saber. But there’s only one problem.” Cork’s lips turned down.
“What is it?” Saber asked.
“My sister,” Cork said. “I’m not legal age. She’s my guardian. I’m not sure she’s going to approve of me being in the band.”
“I’ll talk to her,” I said.
“Why the fuck would you talk to my girlfriend?” Saber came right at me, his nostrils flaring.
“We’re friends, dude. Same as him and me.” I gestured to Cork. “So, chill.” That wasn’t near all the truth, but it was all I was willing to share with him.
“Well, my relationship with her supersedes your friendship.” Saber narrowed his gaze at me.
I rolled my eyes. “You should listen to your thoughts before you speak them. You sound like a douche.”
“Don’t need to do shit,” Saber said. “But I’m keeping it real.”
“And real is what, exactly?”
His eyes narrowed more. “I don’t like you being friends with her.”
“Not up to you to decide,” I said firmly. “That’s up to her.”
“That’s where you’re wrong.” He unfastened his guitar and set it in a nearby stand. “You two stay here, hang tight.” He slid his gaze over Shield and Cork before it stopped on me. “Let’s you and me get some things straight about Lotus. Privately.”
“All right.” I was eager to hash it out with him, but took my time unclipping my guitar strap and walking my SG over to its case.
“Keep it out,” he said from the doorway. “This won’t take long, and practice isn’t over.”
“Not putting my favorite guitar in some cheap-ass studio stand that can easily tip over.” I proceeded to carefully lay my guitar on the velvet liner inside its case. Strapping the Velcro down, I clicked the latches closed before I looked at him.
“C’mon, asshole.” Saber jerked his chin up in the air.
“Where to?” I asked, following him out into the hall.
“Break room,” he gritted out, moving ahead of me without making eye contact.
As I walked behind him, I heard other musicians playing in the recording rooms we passed. But my gaze remained on my brother, noting his stiff shoulders . He was edgy. I had a feeling where this was headed, other than just the break room, and I wasn’t wrong.
“Get out,” Saber growled at the occupants inside it when we arrived.
“What the fuck?” Koa Rossman asked. The pro surfer who had turned Cork’s head rose from the round table where he’d been sitting. Stepping toward us, his expression dark, he looked as confrontational as Saber.
“Cool it.” Diesel Le, the half-Polynesian bassist for the Dirt Dogs, stretched his hand out in front of Koa. “Save the attitude for the competition.” He moved his narrowed gaze to Saber, then to me. “Is there a problem?”
“No problem with you two.” Saber jerked up his chin. “Problem with