Page 8 of Busted String

Nico stayed close to Jace while the other two stayed back a bit, giving them space to talk.

“Remember when you told me you wanted to be good enough to go to Black Rock City this year?”

“What are you getting at? I still want to be good on stage. We’re going to have tons of competition.”

“I know. If I thought you guys weren’t ready, especially you, we wouldn’t be going there.”

“I have people who want to see me after we play.”

“We can hang out there for an hour, but we’re staying together. No quick fucks with any ex.”

“I hope you’re kidding.”

“Jace, look at me.”

He faced him with a grin.

“I’m serious. Don’t make me chase after you.”

“How do you do it?”

“What?”

“You don’t fuck anyone.”

“First of all, you don’t know what I do when you’re sleeping. Or maybe I’m waiting for someone I care about.”

“It must be nice to have a low sex drive.”

“Hey, you’re acting like a brat. I’m going to get my drumstick and make you regret saying that.”

“I didn’t mean it. You live with the three of us. You never jump on any of us.”

“And you know this how?”

“I guess I don’t.”

“Let’s go in here and look around,” Nico suggested. All of them followed inside a T-shirt shop.

“Let’s get matching California shirts.” Nico picked out navy blue shirts with rainbow writing and paid for them.

“We can wear them at Black Rock,” Sammie said.

Chapter Five

Jace

Once they arrived at the hotel, Jace stood beside Nico when he checked in. Nico got him to wear a baseball cap and sunglasses so he wouldn’t be recognized in his hometown at this hour. Because Mark had such unusual bright red hair, he had to wear a cowboy hat and shove his hair underneath it. Nico had Sammie wear a baseball cap the color of his outfit. They all had sunglasses on to cover up.

Nico’s style was unique and unmistakable. He always wore a turban, which added an air of mystique. His ears were adorned with small but noticeable earrings. The woman at the check-in desk had her eyes all over Nico. Whether he was on stage or off, Nico’s clothing was a blend of casual and edgy. He wore jeans and fitted shirts that highlighted his muscular build. Jace felt jealous when the flirting lady winked at Nico, but there was nothing he could do but follow him. It seemed he enjoyed flirting with both men and women, but he never initiated it. Like he had told him, Jace didn’t know what Nico did while he was sleeping. That only put sickthoughts into Jace’s head of Nico fucking Mark or Sammie, or both, for that matter. He sure didn’t mess with Jace, as much as Jace wanted him to.

They went upstairs to the shared room. Nico wanted the bed closest to the door as he said he had to guard them. Mark and Sammie took the bed beside the window. With only one bathroom, they had to take turns.

It was midnight, time to shower and hit the sack, but Jace wanted to meet some old friends from high school. He didn’t know how he was going to get out, but he would find a way.

“We’ll take showers alphabetically, Jace, you’re first, and don’t take all night in there.” Nico wasn’t just the drummer. He also managed the group.

“No prob.” Jace unpacked some clean clothes and rushed to the shower. He made sure the water was warm enough. Before he jumped into the stall, he listened by the door to the conversation in the other room.

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