Page 35 of Busted String

Mark leaned in, his guitar slung over his shoulder like a silent observer. “He’s got a point, Jace. Can’t afford to mess up.”

Sammie added, “We need you sharp, man. One drink too many and we all go down.”

Jace’s eyes flared with stubbornness, but he knew they were right. He mumbled something under his breath and dropped the drink back on the bar. Together, they headed out, the weight of their words hanging in the air.

The silence was thick on the drive back to the cabin. After putting away their instruments, they met on the porch, each sitting in a rocker. Sammie brought out some fresh lemonade.

“Just trying to look out for you, Jace,” Nico murmured, settling into an rocker.

“Yeah, I know.” Jace sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Sometimes it’s just hard to stop once I start.”

Mark said, “We’re a team. We gotta keep each other in check.”

Sammie nodded, a thoughtful look in his eyes. “We’re in this together. One falls, we all fall. Let’s keep our heads in the game.”

Nico could see the understanding dawning on Jace’s face. The band wasn’t just about music; it was about holding each other up when the lights dimmed, and the crowd’s roar faded into silence. Jace stood to stretch.

“We need to talk,” Nico said to Jace.

Chapter Seventeen

Jace

Jace could tell Nico was upset with his behavior, but he needed to understand he needed some space. He worried Nico would break up with him because he’d behaved like a teenager.

He sank back into the rocking chair, its creak harmonizing with the soft rustle of the towering Sequoias. The forest was full of ancient trees, their silhouettes etched against the twilight sky. The scent of pine and earth filled the air, grounding him before Nico yelled at him. He glanced at Nico, who was rocking his chair, tension clear in his posture.

The others had retreated inside, leaving them alone on the porch. Jace felt Nico’s eyes on him, could sense they were filled with a mix of frustration and concern.

“Are you going to tell me what an asshole I am?” Jace asked.

“Always the smart ass. I’m not just your band manager, or drummer, or friend to you anymore. I’m your lover,” Nico said.

“I know. I guess I don’t know how toact.”

“You had the van and disappeared. You didn’t even answer your phone.”

“Thank you for trusting me.”

“I deserve respect from you.”

“I know what I did. I’ve already said I was sorry. What else do you want me to do?” Jace took a deep breath, trying to find the right words. “I needed time alone, Nico.” Jace didn’t understand why Nico was pushing him so hard.

“I gave you my fucking keys without questions. I trusted you’d return on time.”

“I’m trying to deal with what happened when we had to leave Bakersfield.”

Nico’s eyes flared with anger. “And your timing sucks! You left us hanging again.”

“I know,” Jace admitted, the weight of his actions sinking in. “But sometimes, I just need space. When I’m upset, I need to be alone to process things and seem to lose track of time.”

Nico shook his head, the rocking chair moving faster. “You could’ve at least answered my calls. I was worried, Jace.”

“What is this really about? Tell me what you want from me.”

“I need to structure our relationship. I’m not comfortable with your disappearances and can’t accept your lack of respect for me. I want to be your number one.”

“You are and have always been my number one. I’m afraid to fail you and already have. I don’t know how to make you feel like my number one. Tell me how to do that.” Jace looked down at his hands, feeling the sting of Nico’s words.

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