Page 46 of Broken Melody
“You are, absolutely, that’s not what I mean. What I mean is that I want to give you a little bit of background. About Maddox.”
“Okay,” I say hesitantly not entirely comfortable yet curious at the same time.
“I thought about talking to you before, right after you signed the contract and contacted me, but then things became hectic like I mentioned before. Then, I sort of second-guessed myself about saying anything, and it got away from me. After today…well I think it’s a good time.” I take a sip of my drink and wait. “Maddox isn’t a bad guy.”
“I don’t think that he is.”
He holds his hands up, “No, and I’m not suggesting that you do. You see, I’ve known them all for a while, and Maddox is one of the coolest and kindest guys I’ve ever met. The guys are all still growing in their career, and I believe their time to really shine is forthcoming. Don’t get me wrong, they aren’t doing bad for themselves so far, but they’ve taken some steps back given the latest complications with Maddox.”
“They’re doing great,” I tell him. “I would never tell them this, okay? So you have to keep a secret too.” He nods and smiles. “I’m a huge Graffiti fan. I knew all of them and their music before I auditioned. I researched them personally a bit, the label, you…but I was still aware of their hits and the fact they’ve had a record go platinum.”
He smiles even wider, and right then our server delivers our food and we take a moment to dig in. “They did, and it was an exciting milestone. They became very popular, very fast. Especially Maddox. At first, it was fine. I mean, they were all kind of cocky at first. Posing for the cameras, craving the attention they were receiving, that kind of thing, but then last year, things changed.”
“Because Maddox started getting in trouble?”
“Yes. But, I think what’s important to say here is that Maddox isn’t some spoiled, shit-faced all the time, druggie rocker that’s gotten a huge ego and so he’s screwing off and thumbing his nose at basic decency. He’s actually working his way through a trauma and unfortunately is making some shitty choices along the way.”
“A trauma?”
He nods solemnly. “Without going into too much detail, I’ll tell you that someone he loves was brutally attacked and is in a coma. The likelihood she will come out of it is slim.”
“Oh my god, that’s awful.”
“It is. She was a girlfriend of Maddox’s and they stayed together for a little while when the band signed their record deal. Eventually, she got a job opportunity and moved away. They tried to maintain a long-distance relationship for a while, but the distance and the changes they were making individually in their lives didn’t make for an easy relationship.”
I put my fork down my appetite dissipating. “No wonder he’s having some trouble dealing.”
“Exactly, and for reasons that are private to Maddox, he blames himself.”
“I don’t even know what to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything. And I’m sorry that telling you this makes you feel bad. It’s not an easy story to tell or hear, but I wanted you to understand that Maddox’s actions are because he’s angry, dealing, and sad. We’ve been able to keep the story out of the press, so everyone thinks he’s just a rocker with a shit attitude, but it’s much more than that.”
“I guess so,” I nod, still feeling at a loss for words.
“Please be patient with him. I know that he’s an ass some of the time, but I swear underneath all that he’s a man that is decent, kind and good – an overall great guy. An even better friend.”
I think of the moments I’ve seen exactly what he’s talking about. A sweetness and an almost vulnerability underneath the façade that Maddox hides behind half the time. I know what Jace is telling me is true - heisa good man. “Thank you for telling me. When I want to punch him, I’ll remember to have patience,” I smile at my joke.
“Hey, I’m not saying that he doesn’t damn well deserve punched half the time, by all means punch him. It will probably be good for him,” he laughs and I join in. “I just thought maybe yes, it would make you tolerate his seemingly short tempered and ill-timed projections on you and the other guys. I also wanted you to know we didn’t bring you into the middle of an asshole rocker acting like a child type situation – it’s a bit more complex than that.”
“No, it’s okay. I mean, I’m a big girl. I knew what I was getting myself into – well not this of course - when I agreed to join. I knew the band wasn’t exactly thrilled about adding someone, but I can damn well handle myself.”
He smiles, “That you can. And I’m glad for it. No doubt you’ll need to do just that at times.”
“No worries, Jace. I got this. And also, thank you for telling me.”
He nods, and we change the subject talking about the tour, the songs we’re singing, practice for the tour next week and things we have to do like get fitted for wardrobe and do a photo shoot. All the while my thoughts keep straying to Maddox and the fact he’s dealing with a tragedy, and my heart goes out to him.
