Page 77 of Sycopation
It had. Zavier eyed Ray. Small smile and a bright look. “Yeah. But I’m sure he’ll make us pay. It’s just a matter of when.”
“But now maybe he’ll fuck with all of us, and not you.” Dom tossed his book aside. “Did he really slam you down after the concert yesterday?” The smile fell away, and Ray nodded. “That man’s an asshole.”
“Which is more or less what Zav said.” Ray rose and grabbed his notebook. “Let’s go find donuts and hammer out the set list before we have to go answer embarrassing questions from radio personalities.”
They found the donuts in a well-appointed lounge. Their crew was already unloading equipment and shit, and the catering coffee for both the band and the crew was top-notch.
Once they got their sugar fix, Ray cleaned his fingers of cinnamon sugar and locked eyes with Zavier. “You suggested shaking things up.”
“I did.” His pulse beat a little faster. What did Ray have up his sleeve? Hell, Mish and Dom leaned in, too.
“What if we open with ‘White Hot Midnight’?” Ray’s grin was toothy and excited andstunning. Somehow, Zavier would get a piece of that tonight. He wasn’t sure how, given the close quarters they shared, but he’d figure it out.
“And close with?” Mish asked. “Gotta be something damn good.”
“Let’s figure it out,” Ray said.
They tossed song ideas around until they came up with a lineup that was different but still as exciting. “Lightning” became an encore and “Bleeding Roses,” a slower, ballad-like song got thrown into their little acoustic set.
“We should do some covers.” Dom rubbed his chin. “Like that punk version of ‘Born in the USA’ we played around with a couple years ago.”
“Hmm. A homage to the Boss and home.” Zavier peered at Mish. “Well, maybe for three of us at least?” He had no idea where Mish had grown up, but he, Dom, and Ray were all from New Jersey.
“Oh, I’m a heathen from the other side of the river in Pennsylvania, from around Windgap.” She leaned back. “We kinda love Springsteen, too, you know.”
Zavier laughed. Of course. “Bet you even went to the Shore, huh?”
“Don’t make me hit you with a donut, Zavier, honey.” Her words were as sweet as her smile.
He held up his hands in surrender. Because Mish? She had good aim. He’d seen her nail Dom with a sock, and bop Ray in the back with an empty water bottle. He had no desire to get powdered sugar all over him...unless it was so he could order Ray to lick it off. He added that to his mental checklist, then shoved all those thoughts away.
It was interview time.
Despite Ray’s crack about the types of questions, the band interview went well, even if a little odd. It was live on the radio and being fucking played over the outside speakers. Couldn’t exactly hear their own words, but the cadence was there, on a few-second delay, filtering into the room from an open door down a hallway.
Of course, the DJs started in on the questions about Kevin, but Ray handled it gracefully.
“Look, I know everyone wants to know all the details. But man, I don’t want to keep dragging him out with this. The press has been hounding on him, too, and that’s not fair.” He paused. “Kevin’s a good guy. Can we cut him a break?”
After that, they did. Then came the question Zavier had been wondering about himself.
“So, what’s next for you guys?” The DJ looked honestly curious.
“Well...” Ray scratched the back of his head, which was a nervous tic.
If Zavier had been closer, he’d have pressed his calf against Ray’s.There’s no wrong answer here.
“I’ve got some new songs stirring in my brain, and I know the band’s ready to start working on another album once the tour is finished.”
Both Mish and Dom agreed, their voices blending together.
“Yes.”
“Hell yeah.”
“Does that include Zavier?”
Ray’s whiskey eyes met Zavier’s, and there was a little hope and a little fear there. “I’d—we’d like it to, but that’s up to Zav.”
