Page 61 of Enjoying the Band in Lockdown

“Look, Sydney, Xavier always got the raw end of the deal with our dad. This is my chance to give baby bro the stage and see what he’s made of. See if he can step up and fly or whether the weight buries him.

“He’ll fly,” I said confidently. “Have you heard the song?”

“Yeah, he sent me your recording. It’s got a good vibe, it’s current and should do well if you can support it with good media.”

“I’ve sent the PR campaign to your people to look at.”

“Saw it, looks good but are you prepared for what comes next?”

I must have looked confused, my campaign had over a month’s media planned. Enough for Xavier to replace me and get someone else up to speed.

“Sydney, what I mean is that when this takes off, your life won’t be the same. Everyone’s gonna want to know about the dirty blonde. Everyone’s gonna want interviews, and every single fucking woman in the world is gonna want Xavier to be singing to her from their bed.”

I closed my eyes, needing space to find the words. “Xavier and I are complicated.”

“So you said.”

“The moment it’s over, I’m out of here.” I could be talking about the concert, or Xavier. I couldn’t stay in this pub with Xavier but not being with Xav. Apparently, I did have a boundary when it came to self-respect. Multiple men, okay but facing the man who’d broken my heart and who refused to love me, not okay.

“You don’t want a piece of him?”

“Money wise, no.”

“What about writing credits, or cashing in on the social media. Turn yourself into an influencer or something?”

“No. I just want Xavier and the band to get the recognition they deserve” I heard the guys come in from the street. The smell of fried fish and chips turning my stomach. Eating had become as foreign as sleeping.

“Well, Sydney, I think you and I should have a drink after the world returns to normal.”

“Stand in line, bro.” Xavier came up behind me, pushing his face in front of the camera. “I see you’ve met my girl.”

“She’s yours then?”

“Until the day she doesn’t want to.” Xavier left my hand hanging, but at least gave me a nod.

“At least you’ve got that in common,” Deacon laughed. “She says the same thing about you. Something about being complicated and only staying together for the concert. What sort of pathetic rubbish is that?”

“It’s a modern love story, you wouldn’t understand.” I chose to believe Xavier’s wink meant we were back on track when he continued, “Thanks for setting us up with the gig.”

“Yeah, don’t fuck it up on me. Not even your girlfriend’s PR genius is gonna save your ass.”

I left the brothers to catch up and confirm logistics before Xavier called the band together to run through the four songs.

All I knew was that by the end of the concert, The Flying Monkeys would have a small window to turn publicity into cash. They wouldn’t need me anymore, and unless things changed, wouldn’t want me, either.

The night before the concert, the guys were on edge. Egos and nerves bouncing around what now seemed a tiny pub, unable to settle. We played cards until the early hours. Then I suggested we bunk down on the couches. Each of us falling asleep to the Live Aid concert as inspiration. The March Online concert wasn’t gonna be anything like Live Aid, but it was the best that Australia rock had to offer.

For The Flying Monkeys, it was their shot at getting millions of eyeballs on their product. For me, the end of one beginning. Would I miss Sydney or my men the most?

Xavier.

“Are you ready for this, babe?” My couch creaked under Xavier’s weight. I’d thought he was crashed out like the others. He’d gone back to drinking, but apparently not enough to sleep.

“Sharing you with the world? Not really, but you deserve it.”

“From the news reports, iso is coming to an end.”

“I know.” Even if I lasted longer than the concert, Xavier had no reason to keep me around once his new fans wanted their turn in his bed. I fingered his chain. Still around my neck, but for how much longer?

---