Page 2 of Busted String

Jace winced, his heart sinking. He had a crush on Nico, but he never knew how to get his attention in a good way. “I’m sorry, Nico. I didn’t mean to. It just…happened.”

Nico’s frustration only grew. “It always just happens with you, Jace! You say you want to be serious about this band, but then you party all night. Do you even care?”

Jace’s shoulders slumped. He cared more than anything. But he couldn’t seem to get his act together. “I do care. I really do. I just…I don’t know how to stop.”

Nico shook his head, his disappointment clear in his intense expression. “You need to figure it out, Jace. Because right now, you’re dragging us all down.”

Jace felt a lump form in his throat. He wanted to be better, for the band and for Nico. But he felt trapped in a cycle he couldn’t break. “I’ll try harder, I promise.”

Nico sighed, his anger giving way to a weary resignation. “I hope you do. Because I can’t keep doing this with you.”

As Nico walked away, Jace stood there, feeling the weight of his own failures crushing him. He wanted to be someone Nico could respect, even like and love. But right now, he just felt like a mess. And that realization left him feeling more depressed than ever. The only thing on his mind was crawling into bed, pulling the covers over himself, and retreating from the outside world. His head throbbed relentlessly, a reminder of the wild partying from the night before.

Jace could physically feel the weight of Nico’s disgust, causing his muscles to ache. What had he done to himself? All the sex and drinking…and all he wanted was Nico. They all lived in Nico’s home, and each had a room of their own. Nico’s father had released his funds last year because of pressure from other family members, including his mother, but Nico refused to accept the money. He claimed he had had enough from his Mafia past. No one dared ask how he’d earned that money, but Jace imagined violence was involved.

Jace followed Nico out of the building and made sure the drummer didn’t notice him following. Nico walked to the other end of the street, the sound of car engines and honking filling the air. He entered the bar there and took a seat beside a man with a menacing expression. Jace didn’t know why he met with this man or who he was to Nico, but he wouldn’t be surprised if it were one of cousins who periodically checked up on him.

With a swift motion, he turned and walked away, his heart pounding in his chest as he sought distance between them. Nico constantly looked over his shoulder, worrying someone trailed behind him, and the thought of that happening filled Jace with unease. He bumped into Sammie, dressed flamboyantly as always. Today, he wore hot pink shorts and a pink lace midriff top. Of course, he had matching sandals for each outfit.

“Jace, are you okay, sweetie?”

“Why?”

“You look pale. Are you walking home?”

“No. Let’s call an Uber. We need to pack again.”

“I’ll pack for you while you lie in bed directing me.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

“I’m worried about you.”

“I’m sort of okay. My father called and left me one of his famous ‘you’re-going-to-hell’ messages.” Jace quickly texted for an Uber.

“Block him. Why do you listen to him?” Sammie asked.

“I’m sick, that’s why. I guess I was hoping he’d call to say he still loved me.” Jace felt safe sharing his painful feelings with Sammie. He listened intently, his face free of any judgment or criticism. He cared about Jace the way a little brother or sister would.

“I know you’re also upset because Nico came down hard on you. But if you notice, he never minds you being late unless you don’t come home the night before.”

“I never paid attention to that.” They sat on the bench where the Uber would pick them up. He wondered why Nico would care if he came home or not?

Mark joined them.

“I think if you two would be honest with yourself and each other, many sparkles wouldenter our home.”

“You’re so cute, Sammie. I wish he’d give me the time of day, but he told me he can’t have a relationship.”

“Why not?”

“His father threatened to put a hit on him and his long-term lover.”

“No way! That’s some scary shit.”

Chapter Two

Nico

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