“Simon Kagan. He’s the lead singer of Oblivion.”
“Oh, yeah, okay. I know Simon. My buddy Luc has worked some with one of Simon’s bandmates, Gray. And Luc is dating the sister of someone in Oblivion as well. Small world. I didn’t know Simon had a brother.”
Boy, this guy must really live under a rock. We’d been all over the telly for weeks. The gossip portions anyway.
“Neither did he, actually, until just recently.” I picked up my water glass, saluted Flynn with it, and tossed half of it back in one go.
It cut the gnawing ache in my belly, but not a lot.
“Is that so? That sounds like a story.”
The waitress came back. “You need anything over here, sugar?”
“Yeah, I’m starving. Let’s get that appetizer platter to split. That work for you?”
The casual question nearly broke me. I was so hungry I’d probably eat the whole thing, tray and all. “Sure.”
If he wanted to split the bill, I only had a nearly charged-up credit card and a few singles. But there was probably enough I could sneak an overdraft lunch tab through.
What was a paltry fee compared to the mountain of obligations riding my back? And at least I would be fed. I couldn’t shrink away to nothing and maintain my persona onstage.
In the old days, I’d stolen food when need be. Or I’d gotten it from pretty young things who didn’t think much of paying a bill or two. Everything I did now was much more scrutinized. If I got nabbed for stealing a bag of apples at the nearest grocery, it could end up as tabloid fodder and my whole rickety house of cards would crush me.
I just needed a few more weeks. More money would start coming in from these club shows. Then I’d take some for myself off of what I’d send Jerry. Not much. Just enough so I wasn’t so goddamn edgy and irritable all the time.
And so my ribs didn’t start showing through my clothes.
“You all right there?”
“Yeah. Sorry.” I scrubbed a hand over my face and reached for my smokes again. I pulled one out and lit it, taking a long drag. Instantly, the jangle of nerves inside me started to relax. “The story with me and Simon isn’t so interesting. Our mother left him here with our father when she was pregnant with me.”
“Left him and went where? The place you got that accent?”
I nodded. “Yes. We just got…reacquainted.”
“It ain’t re if you hadn’t known each other before.”
He had a point.
“So why do you want Scott back in your band so badly? He joined mine because my exiting drummer was a buddy of his. Lance told him how I treat my people. No ego issues, no petty fights, no drama whatsoever.”
“Hmm, sounds like the exact opposite of my life.”
Flynn chuckled again. “Self-awareness is half the battle, man.”
“That it is.” Why did I like this guy? There was no reason for it. Other than he’d suggested we share a plate of appetizers.
For that alone, I’d probably tongue kiss him until he cried uncle.
“We ended things on the wrong foot,” I said finally. “Started them that way too. I want a chance to make things right.”
“You don’t have a drummer in your band right now? I thought you had a current slate of shows.”
“I do, but he’s not De— Scott.” Personally, I liked Deuce better, but I was trying to show my sensitive side.
“So, to show you’re not a dick, you’re going to fire your current drummer to get back your old drummer, who also thought you were a dick and found himself a gig he enjoys? Do I have that right?”
I sighed and flicked away ashes. “Painfully.”