with Mallory seems to be scaring all our hot groupies away.”
Garrett and Alvin both frown at him.
“Were you not just trying to dip your wick in Pamela’s inkwell?” Garrett asks.
“Dip my what, where?” Jacob grabs his crotch. “I’m at least a jumbo-size Sharpie.”
Alvin picks up a black marker from the table and studies it for a second before throwing it at Jacob. “I wouldn’t brag about that, bro.”
Thom’s face isn’t getting any less beet-red. “How have you not seen them play live yet?”
Kudos to Thom for side-stepping that whole dick-size detour. “In case you haven’t noticed, we’ve been a little busy on the road and writing material for the new album.”
“I don’t see the fire lately, guys.” Thom presses his fist against his gut. “I was always impressed with how hungry you were. You need that recapture that raw, gutter-punk edge that got you here.”
“Told ya.” Jacob points at me.
“There’s nothing wrong with growing artistically,” Alvin says.
“I’m talking about knowing your competition too.” Thom points to the door. “You knew every band on the strip back in the day. I know you did.”
“You’ve been managing us for ten minutes. Don’t lecture us on how we got here,” Garrett growls.
“It’s a big deal for us to headline, Thom,” I say as diplomatically as possible, since I’d rather punch him a few times instead. “We want to make a thoughtful decision.”
Alvin ducks his head and laughs.
I look over each of the guys. “We’ve worked hard to get to where we are right now—artistically, physically, and mentally. I’m not willing to jeopardize that by taking some random punks out on the road with us.”
“I’m glad everyone’s kicked their bad…habits.” Thom might as well be a hippo in a tutu dancing through a mind field while he tries to tiptoe around the word heroin. “But your…health is your responsibility. Every band…parties to some degree.”
Garrett lifts his arms and slow claps. “Ten points for not calling us drug addicts. Bravo, Thom.”
“Why are you guys busting my balls about this?”
I slap Thom’s shoulder. “We can’t afford any slip-ups. We’re being cautious.”
I catch Jacob’s eye and he stares back. While he’s stayed clean since Texas, I keep getting the impression he feels sobriety is a diet he can go off of once he hits a magic number, instead of a permanent lifestyle change. To say I’m worried about what the next few months will bring is a massive understatement.
Our worst nightmare would be him diving back into the junk while we’re on the road. I’ll do whatever I can to stop that from happening.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Mallory
The day I’ve been dreading is finally here.
“I’m going to miss you so much.” Chaser leans in and kisses my forehead. “Can’t wait for you to come visit.”
“Me too.”
“I’ll try to scope out a few places so we can do some sight-seeing. Eat some good food.”
“As long as I’m with you, I don’t care.”
“Thom says the house they rented for us is pretty big.”
“You sure you can tolerate living with the guys again?” I tease.
“No.”
Alvin comes up behind Chaser and jumps on his back, hugging him around the neck. “You’re excited. I can tell.”
“You miss us. Admit it, ya fucker!” Garrett shouts.
Chaser coughs and pulls Alvin off him. “I really don’t.”
“We miss you,” I whisper and wink at Alvin.
He walks over and gives me a gentler hug. “I’ll take good care of him, Mallory.”
“Take care of each other.” I tap his chest. “I expect sonic awesomeness from you guys.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Alvin salutes me and walks off.
“Still stuck on that sonic awesomeness, huh?” Chaser’s lips twitch in amusement.
“Yup, so if you use it in a song, I want credit.”
“Fuck, I’m going to miss you.” He picks me up and spins me around in a brief circle before setting me down in the grass. “Nail your auditions. Don’t take any shit from anyone. And if you get that callback from Ocean Ave. I want to know right away.”
“I will.” I swallow hard and force a smile on my face. This is it. They’re leaving. We decided last night I wouldn’t go to the airport with them. Chaser didn’t want to risk any paparazzi bothering me when he couldn’t be there to keep them away.
He cups my face and tips my head back. “I’ll call you every night at eleven, okay? I’ll get you the numbers for the studio and the house. Call me whenever you need to. For any reason.”
“I will.” I reach up and squeeze him tight one last time. “Sonic awesomeness, Chaser.”