Page 27 of Feuds and Interludes
“What the fuck, Boone? You’re sick. Why is that such a big fucking deal?”
“It’s a big fucking deal because Ican’tbe sick.”
He chuckled and shook his head, crossing his arms over his chest. “I’m glad you’re such a control freak you think you can stop a whole-ass disease.”
“I’m sorry, who’s the one that still plays all the instruments on his band’s demos to make sure it sounds perfect?”
Shane stood taller. “I write our songs. Just want to make sure I have it all worked out before I teach everyone else. It’s not like I don’t take their feedback in rehearsal. I’m not atotaldick.”
I took another bite of the protein bar, worried that I would top off this strange encounter by vomiting on his shoes or something equally vile.
“I see you trying to deflect here, but seriously. How long has this been going on? Have you seen a doctor?”
His questions sounded almost…concerned? “Why do you care?” As soon as I asked him, I realized how juvenile I sounded. I was merely curious why, after all these years of hating me, he would even ask?
“Why are you being so defensive?”
I groaned. “I saw the doctor when we got back from tour a few months ago. I’m trying to follow the plans, but when I’m working, I get caught up. I guess I didn’t eat enough today.”
“Yeah, you look like you’ve lost even more weight than since the induction ceremony.”
He noticed?“Aw, it’s like youdoactually care.” My assholery knew no bounds.
“Fuck off, Collins.”
“Sorry. I’m a mess.”
He shrugged and leaned against the doorframe, avoiding eye contact. “Whatever. You need anything else?”
“I’ll be fine. Can you let Morrison know I’ll be down in a bit?”
He nodded, still looking away from me, and the crease between his brows was deeper than ever. He went down the stairs, and I tried to collect myself. Ugh, why couldn’t I talk to him like a normal person? I let my eyes drift closed for a bit and pleaded with my higher power to stop the room from spinning.
The next thing I knew, I woke up in the dark in an unfamiliar bed. My lungs were screaming for my inhaler, so I sat up and looked around, willing my eyes to focus.
And there was Shane Butler, sitting in a chair, his head bowed as if he were praying. My bag sat at his feet.
I needed my inhaler or else I was headed for a coughing fit that would surely wake him up. I attempted to slide out of bed, but the wood frame creaked. Then the floor crackled under my weight as I stood.
Shane remained motionless, looking like some sort of sentinel, only there was no way he’d willingly protect me from anything. He was the last person I wanted to appear weak in front of, and I’d made a total fool out of myself with him. I stood in front of him, wishing I could snap my fingers in front of his face and make him forget what had happened.
“Everyone’s gone, if that’s what you’re worried about.”
I gasped as he spoke and jumped clear off the floor, which was the catalyst for the asthma attack I’d been trying to stave off. I started coughing and crouched down to reach into my bag. I fumbled with my inhaler then took two puffs and tried holding it in as long as possible before I exhaled.
Eleven
Shane
“Asthma too? Damn, you really need to take care of yourself before you end up another dead rockstar.”
He seemed small as he stood there taking shallow breaths. It reminded me of when we were kids, thrown together only because our grandparents knew each other, not because we chose to be playmates. He would follow me and my friends around, laughing at our jokes even when my friends told him to get lost. He was a persistent little fucker even back then.
“Ouch,” he said, and he started to back up, but I reached for his arm. He flinched, like I was going to hurt him.
“Boone, hey,” I said, jumping to my feet. I reached for his arms again, but then thought better of it. I shouldn’t touch him without permission…again. Even after what he’d said earlier. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have, I’m?—”
He smiled, and I forgot that I shouldn’t be talking to him like this, so close to him. This time the smile wasn’t that fake shit he did for everyone else. This one reminded me of our chat in my van, which was the first time we’d really talked…maybe ever.And dammit, it was that interaction that cemented my obsession with this guy. Who was he if he wasn’t the asshole I’d always thought?
