Page 10 of Busted String

“You, of course. Please, I’m begging you to keep your ass in this bed.”

“Night, Nico,” Jace said.

Nico kissed Jace on top of his hair and rolled over facing away from him. Jace slipped out his phone and read his messages when he was sure Nico was sleeping.

Laura:We’re all here waiting for you. And there’s a surprise person too.

Tom:Hey, Jace! We’re waiting for you at Bailey’s.

Jace sent a group message to his friends.

Jace:Meet you guys at Bailey’s in twenty minutes.

Jace slipped out of bed and made it to the hallway without waking anyone. In a rush, he sprinted towards the elevator and hastily pressed the button for the ground floor. He stepped out of the hotel and onto the lively street, the enticing aroma of food wafting from the nearby twenty-four-hour Mexican restaurant, as he made his way to a local bar to join his friends.

The bar was buzzing with excitement as Jace stepped inside. The dim lighting cast a warm glow over the rustic wooden tables and chairs, and the air was filled with laughter and the familiar scent of beer. An enormous banner hung above the bar, displayed the words “Welcome Home Jace!” in bold letters. Streamers and balloons in various shades of blue and gold adorned the walls, adding a festive touch to the cozy space.

Jace’s heart swelled with a mix of nostalgia and surprise as he took in the scene. His high school friends, faces he hadn’t seen in years, were gathered around, their smiles wide and genuine. One by one, they approachedhim, wrapping him in tight hugs and clapping him on the back. There was Laura, the mastermind behind the party, her eyes twinkling with pride. She’d had a crush on Jace since fourth grade. And then, amidst the crowd, he saw her—Erin, his younger sister.

Erin stood near the bar, her eyes brimming with tears of joy. Jace made his way over to her, his heart pounding. As he reached her, she threw her arms around him, holding him close.

“Jace, I’ve missed you so much,” Erin whispered, her voice trembling.

“I’ve missed you too, Erin,” Jace replied, his voice thick with emotion. He pulled back slightly to look at her. “It’s been too long.”

Erin nodded, wiping away a tear. “It has. But Jace, there’s something I need to tell you. Mom…left Dad. I know you want to see her, but she’s in Lodi with Aunt Mary.”

Jace’s expression hardened, the mention of their mother bringing back a flood of painful memories. “When did this happen?” he whispered.

Erin squeezed his hand, her eyes filled with understanding. “She asked me to tell you to call her at Aunt Mary’s.”

“Damn. What happened?” Jace wanted to call her right this minute, but it was too late. He should have called her before now. He didn’t think she wanted to talk to him again. Maybe it was his father who had made her turn cold towards him. Now he was hopeful a phone call would help their relationship.

“It’s a story for Mom to tell. I have to go because I have to be at work early.”

“Are you still living at home?”

“Yes. I have a job here. Don’t worry. I’m coming to your two shows this weekend. See you tonight.”

“Love you.” He hugged her again then she left.

As he stood there, surrounded by the warmth and love of old friends, Jace felt a glimmer of hope. Maybe, just maybe, he could heal the wounds of the past and move forward. But for now, he was content to be home and to see his friends and sister, if only for a little while.

Chapter Six

Nico

Nico woke up to an empty bed. The outside lights filtered through the curtains. He rubbed his eyes and noticed Jace’s phone charging on the nightstand. Curiosity got the better of him, and he glanced at the screen, seeing messages about a meet-up with high school friends at Bailey’s Bar, just a short walk from their hotel. Nico had specifically told Jace to get a good night’s sleep to be ready for their weekend gig. As the drummer and the band’s manager, Nico knew how crucial it was for everyone to be in top form.

Determined to bring Jace back, Nico quickly dressed and headed to Bailey’s Bar. The place was a cozy, dimly lit establishment with wooden beams, vintage posters, and a jukebox playing classic rock tunes. The bar was bustling with patrons, laughter, and the clinking of glasses.

Nico spotted Jace at a corner table, surrounded by his old friends. Jace was clearly drunk, his speech slurred, and his gestures exaggerated. Nico’s heart sank as he approached the table. He had hoped Jace wouldtake his advice seriously and seeing him drunk and careless was a bitter disappointment.

“Jace, what are you doing here?” Nico asked, trying to keep his voice steady.

Jace looked up, his eyes glassy. “Nico! Hey, meet my friends! We’re having a blast!” he slurred, raising his beer mug. It was clear they had intended to stay until closing, as the table was scattered with empty glasses and half-empty pitchers.

The fact that Jace had dismissed his concerns turned Nico’s frustration into anger. He felt a deep sense of responsibility for the band, and Jace’s behavior was a personal betrayal. The weight of their upcoming gig at Black Rock City and the effort they had all put into their music pressed heavily on his shoulders.

---