Page 27 of Broken Melody
“No regrets?” I ask.
“None,” Nixon says immediately. “And I think I speak for all of us when I say so,” he says looking around and they all nod. “We love this life. And not because of the money, travel, fans, or the girls” he grins, “although it’s awesome, don’t get me wrong. It’s because we’re performers at heart. We love and are passionate about what we do.”
“And because of that, we take it very seriously. The latest….” Rocco looks at Maddox then back at me, “complications are unfortunate. But, that’s life. It can be a bumpy road, and we will get through this just like anything else.”
“Of course you will,” I state having no doubt about that. Regardless of what’s been said in the press about Maddox’s antics of late, they do seem passionate about their work and appear to have themselves together.
“Does it intimidate you at all thinking about joining us?” Maddox asks.
“Intimidate me? How do you mean?”
“Because of what you’ve probably heard or read about me in the press,” he asks. “You’ve seen it all, right?” he laughs bitterly, “I mean, who hasn’t?”
“Maddox-” Nixon starts.
“No, Nix. It’s an honest question,” Maddox insists. “What kind of girl would want to get involved with a band where it’s been written that the lead singer is ‘messed up’ and ‘unstable’?”
I take a moment before I respond to look at him. His mouth is firm and I can see the muscles working in his jaw. His stare is hard, but not unkind. Past the defiance and anger, there’s that thing again…that something more. And once again, I know there’s more than meets the eye to Maddox Colt. “We all have times in our lives when we make poor choices. Do things that we regret, or if given the opportunity we would change. Circumstances we find ourselves in that we would go back and do anything to change,” I begin and feel my throat close with my words. Pushing past it, I reply honestly, “I’ve had times like those. I’m sure the other guys here have as well. The difference is that you live your life under a microscope. There are people around you more than happy to report to any and every slight misstep you take. Does that suck? Yeah, I’m sure it does. But as you all said, you love your job, you are passionate about it, and it’s what you want to do. So I guess you have to ask yourself, what’s more important? Continuing to make shitty choices that could put all of that at stake? Or dealing with your shit and knock it off?” Maddox stares hard at me, and the guys, well they’re all open-mouthed like they can’t believe I have the balls to say what I’m saying. Well buckle up boys, I’m not a girl that’s afraid to speak her mind – especially when asked.
“Look, I’m not presuming to know anything about what’s going on with you. I don’t know you. But,” I shrug, “I know from experience that things aren’t always what they seem. And people lie, embellish, and manipulate to get what they want. And some don’t give a shit who they may hurt in the process. If that’s the situation you’re in, then reach out to your friends, find someone to talk to, and deal. Don’t fuck up your life over something that can be dealt with. Nine times out of ten, the person that caused you to feel that way isn’t worth it.” At that Maddox’s jaw tightens so hard he’s going to break a molar. “And if they are, then if they are anybody decent, they wouldn’t want you to do this to yourself anyway. So, to answer your question, there is a time in my life where Iwas‘messed up’ and ‘unstable’, so you don’t scare me, Maddox Colt. Not one bit.”
Maddox relaxes infinitesimally and nods at me. Rocco smiles, Henley laughs a little to himself, “I like her,” he says.
“Will you marry me?” Nixon says making all of us laugh, even Maddox cracks a smile.
“I’ll think about it,” I tell him jovially.
“But seriously, this world of ours, it can get crazy. Can you handle that?” Rocco asks with a look of concern on his face as he studies me intently.
“Crazy how?”
“Obsessed fans, crazy paparazzi, every move being judged and watched, long days and nights,” he starts.
Nixon adds, “Hectic schedules full of appearances and interviews and all the while we’re told where to be, who we’re with, what time to be there, and what we should be doing.”
“It’s definitely not all fun and games,” Maddox adds.
“But there are certainly moments of total awesomeness,” Henley says.
“I’m positive I can handle it,” I look around the table, “and all of you.”
“We don’t doubt that.” Rocco says with a smile and laugh.
“Not at all,” Nixon adds. My eyes catch Maddox’s across the table and I don’t think it’s just my imagination when I see a challenge on his face at my words. Especially when Nixon, who’s sitting next to him, obviously kicks him under the table because Maddox looks at him angrily and yelps.
When we finish up, we all walk out together and I receive my first taste of this new life that I may be a part of. “Maddox! Maddox! Henley! Nixon! Over here! Rocco! Over here!” We are suddenly swarmed by paparazzi. The guys create a circle around me and I instinctively look down and ignore them.
“Who’s the hottie?” Someone yells. “New girl in your life, Maddox? How long will this one last?” Staff from the restaurant comes outside and threatens to call the police if they don’t back up off of their property. We make sure we are within their property limits while we wait for my car to arrive. Rocco offers to bring me home, but I’ve already got the car coming, so I decline.
When the car pulls up, all of them hug me goodbye. While we all hug, I can hear the shutters of cameras clicking rapidly. Maddox takes a moment to pull away from me and says near my ear, “Make sure. Because this is just a taste.” Nodding, I turn and get inside the car, thanking Nixon for holding the door open.
They all stand and wave at me, ignoring the cameras surrounding them as they do so. It was a good dinner, question is, did they think so too? I feel like they like me well enough and want me to join, but who knows? Only time will tell I guess. I just hope I don’t have to wait much longer to find out.
