Page 42 of Busted String

A wave of anger washed over Nico, making his blood boil. “This isn’t about you and your jealousy, Mark. This is about the band. We’ve worked too hard to let it fall apart now.”

Mark’s voice rose, filled with frustration. “Jealousy? It’s not just jealousy, Nico. It’s feeling like I don’t matter anymore. Like I’m just a backup, a filler.”

“You matter, Mark,” Nico insisted, stepping closer. “But we need you to get past this. We’re a team, and we need every member. Can’t you see that?”

Mark shook his head, the Uber driver casting anxious glances their way. “I can’t do it, Nico. I can’t stay and pretend everything’s fine when it’s not.”

Nico’s fists clenched at his sides. “So you’re just going to leave us high and dry? We don’t have time to find another guitarist and singer. You’re screwing all of us over, not just yourself.”

Mark’s face twisted with pain and regret, but he remained resolute. “I’m sorry, Nico. I can’t stay. I need to do what’s right for me.”

Nico’s anger flared, but he knew pleading was pointless. “This isn’t right, Mark. It’s selfish. You’re better than this.”

The Uber driver placed Mark’s suitcase and guitar into the trunk.

“Good luck in Black Rock City,” Mark said as he got in.

When they left, Nico stood there, not knowing what to do first. He could call his lawyer and see what could be done, but there would be the possibility of Mark ruining the band on purpose if he were forced back.

Nico returned to the cabin. He entered the living room where Sammie and Jace were eating cupcakes and drinking coffee.

“What happened?” Jace asked.

“We’re down a band member. I don’t know how we can find someone else.”

Sammie got up and went to the kitchen, the sound of his footsteps echoing through the house. He prepared a steaming cup of coffee for Nico and handpicked two mouthwatering cupcakes to accompany it.

“Thanks, Sammie.”

“Why don’t you sing with Jace?” Sammie suggested.

“No way. I can’t sing and play the drums.”

“It would be easier to find a drummer for a few songs, while you two sing.”

“My cousin is hanging out in California. He could play the drums while we sing. Jace will have to do more solos, and maybe two songs with me,” Nico said. The thought of his cousin playing would not make his father pleased, but it was short notice.

“Will he stay here with us?” Sammie asked.

“How will he practice with us?”

“I don’t know. What if Mark returns?”

“Well, then we would be fine. Let’s pack up. We’re going to Reno.”

“That sounds fun. Did you just decide that?”

“That’s where my cousin is heading tomorrow. I’ll call him and see what he thinks. Just throw everything out. We have to leave the place empty. Pack things that don’t need refrigeration,” Nico said.

“What if Mark comes back here?” Sammie asked.

“He has our phone numbers. Right now, I’m pissed at him for attacking Jace, and for fucking leaving us. He’s on a contract. We can sue him.”

“I’ll help Sammie in the kitchen,” Jace said. “Then I’ll pack our clothes.”

Nico took Jace into his arms. “Remember, this is not your fault. Mark has been acting like an ass for months. Nothing will come between us. I have a feeling he’ll come crawling back to us.”

“Thanks for saying that.”

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