Page 73 of Enjoying the Band in Lockdown

“Some could say that, but others would ask what I wanted.”

“Which was?”

“Wrong question.”

“What’s the right question.”

“Which is. What is what I want, now.”

“Tell me what you want.”

“For you and the band to be the best you can be.”

“You could have the front row seat. It’s all yours.”

“But Angelo would always be a threat, to you.”

“What about you?”

“I can handle myself. Ronan will do his best and I’ve got a new career to bankroll me.”

“Online poker!” Xavier laughed, “And to think I offered you hints when we were playing.”

“I didn’t want to give away my secrets.”

“Bit late now.”

“I guess, it’s too late for a lot of things.”

We sat, in silence. The sun gradually dipping behind the mountains. Sounds and smells from dinner wafted from inside.

“I said I’d leave after the concert.”

“Unless we wanted you to stay.”

“I don’t care about the rest of them, well I do, but you know what I mean.”

“I love watching you with them, I love and hate sharing you. What if you choose them?” Xavier shrugged. A boy looking for love.

“Oh, Xav. You, plus them. There is no them without you.”

“Then, I think we—” Xavier looked up. Before he had a chance to continue, Chase appeared at the door. “Mate, we’re having a private conversation here

“And I think the time for having private conversations is over. Too many secrets and too much keeping shit to ourselves.”

“What do you think?” Xavier asked me, eyes promising me a wild night and new opportunities to scream it green.

“What do you mean, what do I think?”

“Well, exactly that, can he join us?”

This time, I pulled Xavier to his feet, feeling confident enough to tease, “You know, Chase can actually do things for me that you can’t.”

“Like what?” Xavier half-mock growled.

“When Chase is with me, I can’t imagine being with anyone else,” I waited a beat before adding, “In the kitchen!”

“You cheeky little wench!”

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