Page 1 of Busted String

Chapter One

Jace

Jace stumbled into the dimly lit rehearsal space, the remnants of last night’s party still clinging to him. His head pounded with every step, a relentless reminder of his poor choices. He knew he was late, and he knew Nico would be furious. He was the only one in the band who would tell him off. The others wouldn’t dare say anything to him. They weren’t as secure as Nico, who had started the band with him.

Nico stood by his drum set, his long dark hair falling over his hazel eyes which were burning with anger. His muscular frame was tense, tribal tattoos seeming to ripple with his frustration. The colorful turbans and earrings he always wore only added to his imposing presence. He claimed it was a disguise to prevent his Mafia family from following him. Even with long hair, they still knew what and where he was. Scary people.

“Where the fuck have you been?” Nico’s voice was sharp, cutting through the silence. “You knew we had early practice, Jace. You can’t just blow it off to party with fans.”

Jace winced at the harshness in Nico’s tone. He wanted to explain, to make Nico see it wasn’t just about the party. It was about trying to forget the ache in his chest every time he looked at Nico and saw only friendship in those green eyes.

“I’m sorry, Nico,” Jace mumbled, his voice barely above a whisper. “I lost track of time.”

“Lost track of time?” Nico’s anger flared. “This isn’t just about time, Jace. It’s about commitment. We have a gig coming up in Arizona, and we need to be ready. You can’t keep doing this.”

Jace’s frustration bubbled up, mixing with his guilt. “I know, okay? I know I messed up. But it’s not that simple.”

With his arms crossed and his gaze unwavering, Nico stood his ground. “Then make it simple. Show up. Be here. Be present.”

Jace looked down, unable to meet Nico’s eyes. “I want to be here on time, Nico. More than anything. But sometimes…it’s hard.”

Nico’s expression softened slightly, but his voice remained firm. “Then figure it out, Jace. Because if you don’t, you’re going to lose more than just a practice session.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“We’ll talk later. Let’s practice.”

As Nico turned back to his drums, Jace felt a pang of longing. He wished Nico could see how much he cared, how much he wanted to be more than just a friend. But for now, all he could do was try to be the bandmate Nico needed, even if it meant hiding his true feelings.

The band was gathered in their usual rehearsal space, a converted garage that had seen countless hours of practice and heated discussions. Jace, with his golden blond hair still slightly disheveled from the night before, picked up his guitar and strummed a few chords, trying to shake off the lingering effects of his late-night escapade.

Nico, already seated behind his drum set, tapped his drumsticks impatiently. His green eyes, partially hidden by his long dark hair, were fixed on Jace. Mark, the second guitarist, tuned his instrument, his expression a mix of concern and frustration. Sammie, the keyboard player, adjusted his settings, glancing nervously between Jace and Nico.

“Alright, let’s run through ‘Midnight Drive’ again,” Jace suggested, his voice carrying a hint of hesitation.

Nico’s response was immediate and sharp. “If you can manage to stay focused this time.”

Jace’s jaw tightened, but he nodded, trying to keep his cool. He started playing the opening riff, his fingers moving deftly over the strings. Mark joined in, his rhythm steady, while Sammie added a layer of melody on the keyboard.

As Jace began to sing, his voice filled the room with a raw, emotional intensity. The lyrics spoke of longing and unspoken desires, mirroring his own feelings for Nico. But the tension between them was building, and it wouldn’t be long before it boiled over.

Nico’s drumming grew more aggressive, each beat echoing his frustration. “Jace, you’re off tempo again! What the hell is going on with you?”

Jace stopped playing, his blue eyes flashing with anger. “I’m trying, Nico! Maybe if you weren’t so damn perfect all the time, you’d understand.”

Sammie stepped in, his voice calm but firm. “Guys, this isn’t helping. We need to work together, not tear each other apart.”

Mark nodded in agreement, his fingers still resting on the strings. “Yeah, we’re a band. We need to support each other, especially with the gig coming up.”

Nico took a deep breath, his anger simmering down slightly. “Fine. But, Jace, you need to get your act together. We can’t afford any more screw-ups.”

Jace looked down. “I know. I’m sorry. I’ll do better.”

The band resumed playing, the tension still lingering but slightly eased by their shared commitment to the music. As Jace sang, he poured all his emotions into the performance, hoping that somehow, through the music, he could make Nico see how much he cared. For now, all he could do was focus on the music and try to be the bandmate they all needed him to be.

The practice session ended on a tense note, with the band members packing up their instruments in silence. Sammie and Mark exchanged worried glances before leaving the garage, giving Jace and Nico some space. The air was thick with unspoken words as Jace put his guitar back in its case, his movements slow and deliberate.

Nico’s long, dark hair fell over his eyes, which were blazing with anger as he spoke. “Jace, what the hell? You showed up hung over and late again!” Nico’s voice echoed off the walls.

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