Page 43 of Hard Rock Temptation
“Feral Silence,” Finn said.
“Cherry Lips,” Kaylee said.
“Beyond the Lies,” Chris said. “They’re a newer indie band coming up on the scene,” he added.
The producer looked taken aback, probably not realizing that these were the kinds of questions we’d been asked dozens, if not hundreds, of times already. For this kind of thing at least, we had our answers locked in.
“We’ll also want to know about band dynamics,” he continued. “Who always comes to practice late?—”
Anya, who hit the snooze button too many times from being perpetually sleep deprived.
“—Who has the craziest fans?—”
Zain, with his absolutely wild horde of fangirls.
“—Who’s the biggest troublemaker?—”
Finn, obviously.
“—Who usually gets final say?—”
Me, simply because the label listened to me more than the others.
“—Who’s sleeping with who?—”
I flinched.
“Excusethe fuckme?!” Finn exploded before I could.
“What thefuckkind of question is that?” Chris growled, eyes narrowing and fists clenching, a strong reaction I’d rarely seen from him.
The producer spread his hands wide, unabashed.
“So many of your songs are about love and relationships,” he said evenly. “People like to know if those songs are coming from real life experience. Kaylee, you write quite a few of those songs.” The producer turned to her, a shark-like expression on his face. Kay, for her part, had turned pale, except for the splotches of red on her cheeks that I knew were from rage, not embarrassment. “Do you have anything to share?”
“Absolutely not,” Finn cut in. “That’s not what we’re here to talk about.”
“It’s a question on people’s minds,” the producer pressed.
“They’ll have to keep guessing,” Chris flatly. “We’re not discussing that in the interview. Next topic,” he said with a note of finality.
The producer frowned but let the subject drop and moved on. I barely registered what he said after that. Beside me, Kay had balled her hands into fists. I knew she wouldn’t actually punch the guy but I, on the other hand, was sorely tempted.
“Of all the gross, asshole, sexist things to ask,” Chris growled again after the producer finally left us. “I can’t believe he wanted to know about—” His eyes flashed with ire as he gestured wildly, his big frame seeming to take up more space than it usually did. It was a little intimidating, something I’d never expected feel around someone like Chris. Then he seemed to realize what he was doing and lowered his arms. He turned to Kay. “You all right?” he asked, concerned.
She let out a frustrated sigh, but managed to give us a small smile. “It’s fine. It’s not the first time I’ve been asked creepy things like that.”
“Still doesn’t make it right,” Finn grumbled. He pulled her into his arms and swung her back and forth until she squeaked. “You just tell me if you want me to fuck that guy up for you,” he said fervently. “I’ve got ways to make his life a living hell.”
“I know you do,” she said with a consoling pat on his arm as she wriggled out from his grip. “I appreciate it, but don’t do anything you’ll regret. I don’t want to be the one responsible for you backsliding into wreaking havoc again.”
“Finn may not be the one you need to worry about,” I muttered darkly. “I’ve got the urge to bash that guy’s face in.”
“Guys, if I got mad at every sexist comment and question, I’d be living in a perpetual state of rage,” Kay said. “You’re allowed to get mad, but then you have to let it go. It’s the only way to stay sane. It’s unfair but,” she shrugged, “that’s how it is.”
I understood now, why Kaylee hadn’t been as worried about what the media might say about us as I had been. She’d been dealing with this shit for forever. It would just be one more slightto deal with on top of all the others. I hadn’t even considered that. The whole thing filled me with both fury and shame.
“Thank you for defending me,” Kay told Finn and Chris. “I think the guy was already suspicious of me and Micah. It might have only made things worse if Micah had exploded first.”
