Page 46 of Busted String

“Then you can’t neglect him. Even though we’re together, spend time with him. As long as you keep your promises to me.”

“I’ll keep my promises.”

“Good. I guess my cousin will be disappointed.”

“We could still do one song together, and he can take over the drums.”

“I guess so.”

“Don’t you want to do a song with me?”

“Of course I do. Will that cause a problem with Mark?”

“I hope not.”

With their strategy settled, they shifted gears and relaxed. Jace grabbed the remote, browsing through the movie options. They finally settled on a classic action film, letting the tension of the day melt away as they watched.

Jace felt a sense of calm wash over him. Despite the stress, being with Nico in this beautiful room made him believe they could overcome any obstacle—together. The night was theirs, and for now, that was enough.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Jace

Jace pulled Nico’s van in at the airport, the engine humming softly as he waited. His stomach churned with a mix of anxiety and hope. When he spotted Mark coming out, he gave a small wave, trying to gauge his friend’s mood. Mark hesitated for a moment, then offered a tight smile as he climbed into the van.

They drove in silence at first. The tension between them was intense. It wasn’t until they reached a little pub on the outskirts of town that Jace felt the weight begin to lift. The familiar setting—a cozy place with wooden beams, low lighting, and the comforting scent of pub food—felt like neutral ground.

After ordering drinks and some lunch, Jace finally broke the silence. “I’m glad you came, Mark. We’ve missed you.”

Mark nodded, sipping his beer. “Yeah, I’ve missed you guys, too. Things just…got out of hand.”

Jace nodded, choosing his words carefully. “We’ve had a lot of fun times, man. Just because Nico and I are together doesn’t mean it has to change. We’re still a band. We’ll still have fun.”

Mark looked down at his drink, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly. “I guess I just felt like I was losing my place. It’s been tough.”

Jace reached out, placing a hand on Mark’s shoulder. “You’re not losing your place. You’re like a brother to me. Brothers fight sometimes, but it doesn’t mean we stop caring about each other.”

Mark took a deep breath and finally met Jace’s gaze. “I’m sorry, Jace. For everything. I was out of line.”

Hearing those words, Jace felt a rush of relief and a pang of sorrow. “It hurt, man. That guitar means a lot to me. But I get it. Emotions were running high. What matters is that we move forward from here.”

They sat for a while, reminiscing about their best moments on the road, laughing about the crazy adventures they had shared. The tension gradually melted away completely, replaced by a sense of camaraderie. By the time they left the pub, Jace felt a renewed sense of hope.

As they drove back to the hotel, Jace couldn’t help but feel grateful for the chance to mend things with Mark. The apology had meant more than Mark would ever know. It was a step towards healing, towards bringing the band back together. And for Jace, that was worth everything.

They were making good progress back toward the hotel when Jace noticed he was speeding a little. Before he could slow down, another car suddenly appeared from a side street, and there was no time to avoid it.

The impact wasn’t severe, but it was enough to dent both vehicles and bring them to an abrupt halt. Jace’s heart pounded as he quickly checked on Mark. “You okay, man?”

Mark nodded, looking shaken but unharmed. “Yeah, just a bit rattled.”

Jace’s heart pounded as the red and blue lights flashed around him, casting an eerie glow on the aftermath of the accident. An officer approached, his expression stern.

“Have you been drinking tonight?” the officer asked, his voice direct.

Jace swallowed hard, nerves on edge. “No, sir,” he lied, hoping his fear didn’t show.

The officer studied him for a moment before nodding. “Do you or your passenger need a doctor?”

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