Page 34 of Knot My Band: Part One
“Or how about the hit piece she did last year? Claiming we were nothing but sellouts riding on nostalgia?” Aiden adds, shaking his head in disgust.
“Every band has its critics, but she’s made it her mission to take us down,” Dax interjects, surprisingly vocal given his usual silence. “And now she’s dragging Oli into it.”
Aiden, Jack, and Chase turn to me.
“We are sorry, Oli. It’s not fair that you’re being insulted, too,” Jack says.
The anger on the tour bus is a living thing, thrumming through the air
“So, this reporter hates you four, but why does May?” I ask.
Jack’s laugh is hollow. “She doesn’t hate us, Oli. She hates the success we are having without her, and thanks to you.”
“Exactly,” Aiden chimes in, his quiet voice surprisingly fierce. “She’s bitter and twisted and can’t stand that we’re not her puppets anymore.”
It’s clear from their faces that this goes deeper than bad press.
“Puppets? What does that mean?” I ask.
“That’s not your business,” Dax states flatly, his hands clenched into fists.
I look away, uncomfortable.
“Shut the fuck up, Dax!” Jack’s exasperation is evident.
“She was just torn apart in the article; the least we can do isexplain why.” Chase glares at Dax.
“Oli is a part of us now,” Aiden says simply, meeting my eyes with a steadiness that belies his usual shyness.
Every day together, he gets less shy.
Dax’s scowl deepens, and he looks like he’s about to argue, but something in the collective stance of the group must sway him. He sighs, a heavy, defeated sound, and nods once. “Fine.”
“The four of us have been playing together since we were sixteen, but we never clicked with a lead singer,” Jack starts, his voice holding the strain of past frustrations.
“We sang our music together, alternating, and a label still picked us up, but we were so excited we didn’t realize it came with a stipulation,” Aiden says.
Chase snorts, running a hand through his hair. “The label forced May on us as our lead singer, and she was a bitch from the start. She thought she was so much better than us, and since she was the lead singer, she represented the whole band in public.”
“She always made it seem like she was doing us a favor and that we wouldn’t have a band without her. May spread lies and poisoned the pack. We were starting to lose our bond,” Jack admits.
Dax slams his hand down on the table. “That’s enough.”
The three of them give Dax a weary look.
“May is evil. End of story.” Dax glares at me, daring me to ask more.
I avoid any questions about their pack bond. That’s clearly a touchy subject, and they’ve told me enough today.
“So, I wasn’t the first lead singer that’s been forced on the four of you. That’s why you were so resistant when we met. You didn’t want another May,” I guess.
Dax keeps glaring at me, but the other three nod.
“I’m sorry the label keeps taking choices away from the four of you. After this tour, I can help you advocate for what you want. I have some sway in the label, and I will use that to help you,” I tell them honestly.
My childhood friend, Anders, rose up in the label shortly after me, and I know he would help.
I might enjoy performing with them, but they have their own dreams, and I want them to come true.
