seemed to have latched on to the crazy scheme like a wolf with its prey.
“For real, Pete. I appreciate the compliment. You know, thinking I’d be good enough and all that, but no one is going to take that suggestion seriously. These are pros. Stars. There’s no way any of the guys—or Gordy—would consider having me play for even one second.”
Pete grinned and Braylin didn’t like the look on his face.
“Challenge accepted!”
Braylin gasped as Pete rushed up to Marlon and Derek before he had the chance to process what his friend was up to.
“Wait!”
Braylin closed the distance of only a few feet and yanked on Pete’s arm, but the bigger man easily shook him off. Derek and Marlon listened intently to Pete, Braylin only catching the last part of whatever Pete spewed to the musicians.
“…right? Seriously, the dude knows the new songs. And you heard him play in rehearsal that first day.”
Marlon and Derek exchanged glances, and to Braylin’s horror, they seemed as if they might actually be considering this madness.
“No!” Braylin waved his hands. “Don’t listen to him, he’s only joking.”
Derek grabbed Braylin’s arm and he imagined that after all the pawing he’d been getting, he’d have a lot of explaining to do when his Dom spotted the bruises.
“You know Bastard Stomp? Because we already know you can play the other tunes.”
Braylin covered his eyes, then dropped his hand. “That’s beside the point. No one should be contemplating this. There’s still time for Sal to show up and—”
As if to make a mockery of Braylin’s reasoning, the last chord of Sharp Edges’ song sounded and the roar of the crowd went up. Braylin’s entire body started to tremble as he took in the three men staring expectantly at him, as if daring him to refuse.
“Zen and Gordy won’t want me to play.” Braylin swallowed hard. “And…and Trevor won’t either.”
Braylin had no idea what he was saying anymore, only that he had to figure a way out of this crazy scheme. Maybe, maybe if he had a few days to practice with the band, it would be different. He knew he was a talented musician, had worked insanely hard for years to perfect his technique. But at the end of the day—he wasn’t Sal. He knew it and the fans knew it. But more than anything? He’d be crushed if he disappointed Zen, if he ruined everything for the band by freaking out or totally sucking.
As if to further erode Braylin’s protests, Trevor wandered over. “I was on the other side of the stage and Vinnie told me Sal is MIA? The fuck?”
Derek snarled, “Yeah. That fucking dickwad. But it might be a blessing in disguise because Braylin’s going to fill in for him.”
Braylin almost choked on his own spit. “No I’m not!”
A smile lit up Trevor’s face. “That’s awesome. Does Zen know?”
Braylin interjected, “No, and he won’t want me to play either.” Great. Now I’m whining.
Everyone ignored Braylin as if he weren’t there while Derek answered Trevor.
“No, we were just about to. Wanna tag along? It’ll be good to show him a united front.”
Braylin huffed in exasperation. Apparently, his front didn’t need to be united.
Derek regarded Braylin, patting him on the shoulder. “Sorry, man. You’ll have to do your own tech. But the arena is dark enough, I doubt anyone will realize the guitarist and tech are the same person.”
Braylin was at a loss, his mouth opening and closing as if he didn’t know how to form words anymore.
Pete nodded. “Yeah, you’ll be fine.” He returned his attention to the bandmembers. “Hey, maybe Gordy or Zen’s assistant can run over to the hotel and grab Braylin’s guitar for him.” Pete turned to Braylin. “That’d be better, right?”
It would be better if I didn’t play. He sighed, his shoulders slumping in resignation. “Sure.”
The bandmembers and Pete all high-fived each other then Marlon, Derek and Trevor took off at a jog.
“This is so exciting.”
Pete grinned at Braylin like a lunatic. If only Braylin didn’t want to punch him. He chewed his lip, trying to console himself with the thoughts of either Zen or Gordy saying no, along with the possibility that Sal could still show up. He was notorious for being late. Maybe not this late, but he might still make an appearance.
It could happen.
“Come on, dude. We gotta get out there and set up. Then you get to be a rock star.”
Braylin willed his feet to move, determining that his best course of action was to simply do one thing