“Not feeling lucky at the moment, but thank you, sir.”
“Counselor is part of my job description, you know.”
My body tenses. After the night I’ve had, I’m really not in the mood for a lecture, no matter how well-intentioned it might be.
“Fire Peter Carson,” he says. “He’s as disloyal and incompetent as they come.”
Can’t argue with that. “Done.”
“Distance yourself from Jacob.” The older man glances over at me. “Everyone says you’re talented. Have a promising career ahead of you. Beware of the ones who will drag you down.”
I’m too stunned to be annoyed at him for the advice. It’s nothing my subconscious hasn’t been whispering at me for months. Abandoning the band I’ve spent so many years helping build doesn’t seem right. But the lawyer has a point. I’m perfectly capable of getting myself into plenty of trouble. I don’t need my bandmates to keep doing it for me. I’ve tried everything to help Jacob. But you can’t help someone who doesn’t want to help themselves. I’m stuck between loyalty to my friends and self-preservation.
“The band is…we’ve been friends for a long time.”
“I understand that. Your loyalty is admirable but is it returned?”
Good question.
If I’m honest with myself, I already know the answer.
The car pulls up in front of the hospital and Paxton curses. “Fucking reporters.”
“They weren’t here earlier,” Mallory says. “Or if they were, I didn’t see them.”
“Word probably spread that Andrew’s awake.” Paxton gestures to a road that curves around the side of the building. “There’s a back entrance but you’ll have to use the service elevator.”
“Do you remember where Andrew’s room is?” I ask Mallory.
“I think so.”
So much for the back entrance. The tight line of shrubbery shakes and wiggles as the car comes to stop. As I study the dancing bushes, a reporter jumps out, camera in hand.
“No comment, Chaser,” Paxton reminds me. “Don’t give them anything.”
“I won’t.”
“Call me if you need anything. Even if the tour continues and you’re in another state, call me. If I can’t help, I’ll find someone who can.”
I lean over to shake his hand. “Thank you. Appreciate everything you’ve done on such short notice.”
“Take care of yourself.” He tips his head. “Mallory’s quite a woman. Be good to her.”
One corner of my mouth curls up. Rock star, biker’s son—I can only imagine what the lawyer thinks of how I treat women. “Trust me, I know what a lucky bastard I am.”
I glance back at Mallory but she’s staring out the window, biting her lip. Doubt she even heard the exchange.
“Good luck,” Paxton says as we step out of the car.
I curl one arm around Mallory and use the other to block the man dogging us until we’re inside the building.
“Don’t they have anything better to do?” I grumble once we shake the reporter.
“It’s a big story, I guess.” Mallory runs her hands through her hair. “Pamela had already heard of it before I did.”
“Really?”
“I was on the phone with her when you called me this morning.”
“Fuck.” This has been the longest damn day. Almost wish we’d gone back to the hotel instead of coming here. “I’m sorry you had to go through all this.”
“I’m not the one who spent the night in jail, Chaser.” She takes my hand as the elevator comes to a stop. “You know I’ll do anything for you.”
The door slides open before I have a chance to respond. This isn’t a busy, bustling hospital. The hallway’s empty and quiet. Mallory scans the corridor, trying to get her bearings. “The waiting room was this way, I think.”
Sure enough, we find Alvin and Garrett in an otherwise empty room watching television.
“Oh, thank fuck!” Alvin jumps up as soon as he sees me. “You all right, bro?”
“I’m fine.” I take his outstretched hand and allow him to pull me in for a hug and slap on the back.
I scan the room again. “Where’s Jacob?”
“Cops took him for questioning.” Garrett nods to the hallway. “I don’t think they left the hospital, though.”
Sure, me they lock up. Jacob will probably get a pat on the head.
“Vinnie’s down in Andrew’s room, trying to convince him not to leave,” Garrett says.
“I’ll deal with that in a minute.” I raise my voice to get everyone’s attention. “First, things, first, Peter’s fired. I want him gone.”
“Already done,” Alvin says. “I called Thom after Mallory left and told him Peter better be on his way back to L.A. by the time you’re out of jail.”
“Thank you.”
“Thom says he’ll join us in Louisiana.” Garrett shakes his head. “Not sure how that’ll be helpful or if we’re even going to make those dates.”
“Vandals’ management canceled tonight’s show,” Alvin says. “No way Andrew can play tonight. No matter what he seems to think. Next couple shows are up in the air.”
“Fuck.” I run my fingers through my hair. What a mess. All because Jacob skipped away on a heroin scavenger hunt last night.
Alvin jerks his head toward the hallway, inviting Mallory and me to follow him.
“Seriously, Chaser. You all right?” he asks.
“I’m fine. Glad Andrew’s awake. No one would tell me if he was even alive until my lawyer showed up.”
“He must have nine lives because somehow that skinny motherfucker’s gonna be just fine.”
I snort-laugh, which feels good after everything that’s gone down.
Alvin has more info for us. “Heard the doctor say it was a peripheral hit that missed his vitals.”
Could’ve fooled me. Thought he was going to bleed to death. “Figures.”
Mallory pinches my side and I grin down at her.
“He was asking for you. Was really pissed when he found out you were arrested.”
“I’m touched.”
Alvin punches my shoulder. “Go see him. I’ll be in the waiting room when you’re done.”
Mallory and I slowly walk down the sterile hallway, trying not to draw attention to ourselves.
“Chaser! Get me out of here!” Andrew begs, frantically waving his right arm at us.
Vinnie’s got one hand on Andrew’s chest, keeping him pinned to the hospital bed. “Can you talk some sense into him?” Vinnie pleads.
I cock my head. When has Andrew had any sense?
“Worth a shot.” Vinnie cracks up.
“Not cool, bro.” Andrew crosses his arms over his chest and winces. “Where are my fuckin’ painkillers?”
Vinnie shakes his head. “I’ll go ask if you promise to sit still.”
Andrew raises two fingers and swears.
As soon as Vinnie’s gone, Andrew tosses back his covers.
“Oh no you don’t.” Mallory rushes forward and presses her hands against his shoulders, pushing him back into bed.
Andrew grins at me over her shoulder. “If I’d known a bullet would get Mallory into my bed, I would’ve let you shoot me a long time ago.”
“We can still make that happen.”
Mallory lets out a disgusted snort and glares at Andrew. “You really do have a death wish, don’t you?”
“I’ll chalk it up to blood loss.” I step closer and shove him back into the bed.
“Ow. Come on, Chaser. Get me out of here.” He casts a suspicious look around the room. “Hospitals are breeding grounds for bacteria. I’m gonna catch something and my arm will rot off. I just know it.”
“You’re kidding, right? I’ve seen the filth you live in on your bus.”
“Yeah, but that’s my filth.” He wrinkles his nose and scans the room again. “Who knows what’s lingering in here.”
“Christ.” I pinch the bridge of my nose.
“Andre
w.” The extra patience Mallory forces into her voice draws a chuckle out of me. “You have to stay a little longer. Please.”
“I need my arms, Mallory.” He flails one in the air to demonstrate. “I’ll be better off at the hotel. I can hire a nurse to look after me.” He whistles. “Ooo! Yes! A hot nurse.”