Page 9 of The Fix
Helps that it’s a song I like from Hardy called JACK.
Where is the Jack?
“Welcome back,” Nitro emphasizes into the giant mic that covers most of his face. “In case you missed it, we are here with As Above!” The man makes his own crowd noise in a quieted yell, then turns to us. “So this hangout sesh is a little different where we are not accepting callers, but I have a set of questions that you all asked online. I am just the voice for you. The voice of the people.”
The interview goes along just like every other damn interview As Above has ever done. Nitro asks all the same questions, all the same comments prying in search of new songs or albums. Rex handles most of the answers with a grin I don’t understand, Fin filling in the gaps when it seems like Rex is answering too much. Even Mac quips stupid nicknames and snickers. I, on the other hand, zone out.
Is there any whiskey back here?
The only difference this time is Nitro asking about Rex’s twin kids and searching for if Fin and Cedar are planning any spawns any time soon.
Can we get this over with already?
“Now, Toby.” His voice pulls me back to the land of the living and has me gripping the card cupped in my hand, preparing to answer the stupid questions. “I’ve heard some things …”
My brothers and bandmates go deadly silent as Nitro’s gaze lands on me, and I feel the atmosphere change.
Something’s off.
The hair on the back of my neck stands and my mustache tingles enough that I reach up and scrub a finger across it. “What’s that?”
Nitro’s grin ratchets up and my stomach gives a wicked twist. “This was a last-minute addition, and I know that rumors are rumors, but I wanna know. The people wanna know.”
I spare a glance at my band who’s all pinched brows and confused. This is not how this is supposed to go. “Know what, man?”
“The grapevine claims you’ve also started settling down, yeah?” Sweat builds on my back even though I’ve had this question before. They always want me to be like Rex. Settle down. Find a woman and make little rocker spawn like he did.
So why does this feel different?
“Oh, nah, man.” I glance at my cue card for help when I feel Nitro’s gaze burning a hole in my head. “Not me.”
“Serious?” Nitro pushes with a grin. One that seems like I’m full of shit and he’s just waiting for the gotcha moment. “No one expecting?”
I can't help but glance at my brothers, wearing a clear what the hell expression, only to find each of them staring back at me intently. Their gazes are too focused, too scrutinizing.
“Nah.” I force a smile. “Might wanna ask Rex, though. He won’t stay off his girl.”
Deflect with humor. Should work.
“Man,” Nitro says on a shake of his head and raps his knuckles on the table with a chuckle. “I thought I had a good source.”
“Interview is over.” I frown as Anna’s declaration fills my ears and spin to find the woman standing opposite the window, hands to her hips and face tightened with fury.
Nitro speaks into the mic as if the end of this hangout sesh was planned for right now. “All right, folks. That’s all we got for tonight. Drop your comments and questions on the socials and let’s get these guys back in here!”
Music fills the room when I pop off the headphones, but it’s not a reprieve for long.
Because the door slams open, and Anna rushes in.
“What was that, Nitro?” Anna corners the disc jockey with a dangerous pointer finger. “What the h—”
The two are closed in together, and even though we can’t hear what’s being said, it’s clear that Anna is giving the radio DJ a piece of her mind, judging by his raised hands and the flush to her face.
Huh. There is color to her.
“What the shit is going on?” I ask the room even though I don’t take my eyes off Anna as she spins from Nitro, her shoulders raising and lowering with a deep breath. She smooths her hair and her skirt, squares her shoulders, and reaches for the door.
The smile that meets us is manufactured. Forced. Bland.