Page 11 of Knot My Band: Part Two
I shrink back, nervous to reveal this.
Jack saves me. “Oli can’t sing until her throat is healed.”
The silence that follows is deafening. I watch Trevor closely, noting the twitch in his jaw and how his eyes flicker with an emotion I can’t quite place. Sadness? Frustration? Or something else?
“Oli, I…” Trevor begins, then stops. He clears his throat, his demeanor shifting subtly. There’s a slight curl to his lip that doesn’t sit right with me—a hint of satisfaction that’s wildly out of tune with the rest of his somber act. I can sense it no matter how much he tries to hide it.
“Are you happy about this?” Chase blurts out, reading the room with the same unease that’s crawling up my spine.
“Happy? No, of course not,” Trevor retorts too quickly, his expression faltering for a split second before he regains his composure. But the falter was there. I saw it, and now it’s etched into my memory. “We will need to find a way to continue the tour without you, Oli.”
“Excuse me?” I croak out. “This is my tour!”
“How could we possibly do that?” Chase snaps.
“Well, we could bring May back to cover for Oli while she heals. Shewasthe original lead singer for The Edge,” Trevor says calmly as if he isn’t dropping a massive bomb on us.
I feel the tension coil tighter in the room, a tangible force that makes my skin prickle with unease.
“Absolutely not!” Aiden snaps, his voice a low growl that reverberates deep in his chest.
“We won’t be performing with anyone but Oli!” Chase shouts.
“Bringing her back isn’t even an option,” Dax chimes in, his fingers drumming an irritated rhythm on the tabletop. “We’ve moved past that mess. She was trouble from the start, and the label has dropped her.”
“Come on, Trevor,” Jack is glaring at him. “You were never a fan of May. What’s changed?”
Chase runs a hand through his tousled hair, his eyes narrowing slightly. “Is there something you’re not telling us?” he probes, his question piercing the veil of Trevor’s poker face.
We know they’re together, but Trevor doesn’t know that yet.
Trevor’s lips press into a thin line, his scrutiny flicking between us as if weighing his options. It’s a look that speaks volumes—there’s more at play here than just filling my temporarily vacant spot.
“It’s not happening,” Jack says with all his alpha dominance behind it.
I can feel the waves of frustration rolling off Dax and Aiden as they flank Jack. Their expressions have hardened into matching scowls. The room is full of tension that is crushing me.
Chase still has his arms crossed tightly over his chest, his jaw set in firm opposition.
Trevor’s frown deepens, the lines etched on his face seeming more pronounced than ever. “May is a professional; we need someone to step in immediately. I don’t see why—”
“Because it feels like you’re trying to replace Oli,” Chase interrupts, his voice lower but no less intense, his eyes flashing with a protective fire. “And that’s not happening. Not now, not ever.”
A small voice inside me starts to whisper doubts I can’t quite silence.
Why does Trevor seem almost relieved at my misfortune? Is he pushing so hard for May because he’s sleeping with her?
“Oli?” Trevor turns his focus to me, searching for an ally. However, all he sees is the growing suspicion reflected in my eyes.
“Sorry, Trevor, but this isn’t adding up,” I finally speak up, my voice softer than usual but carrying a weight that surprises even me.
Trevor pushes back from the table, his chair scraping against the floor like nails on a chalkboard. “You’re being unreasonable. This is about the tour, the fans, the—”
“It’s about trust, Trevor,” I interrupt, feeling the burn of passion for our music and bond igniting within me. “And right now, I’m not sure we can trust your judgment.”
“Is there something you’re not telling us, Trevor?” Aiden asks, tilting his head to the side curiously. “Because it’s looking mighty suspicious from where I’m sitting.”
“Nothing’s hidden,” Trevor retorts, but his gaze flickers away from mine for a split second, and that’s all I need to see. Guilt is pouring off him.
