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“We’ve made arrangements for Dragon to travel home with us, after your encore concert back in London. Dragon wanted to stay and see the concert.”
“Dragon should be onstage for that concert.”
“No, he shouldn’t.” Callie’s voice changes, becoming sterner. “He let you down, and he knows it. What he wants now is for the tour to go on as planned. It’s killing him not to be up there with you guys, but he feels this is the best move for the band and for himself.”
I want to shout back at her through the phone, but I stop myself. What good would it do anyway? What’s done is done. Dragon fucked up. Nothing can change that now. If I’d been with him, though…instead of fucking Brianna…
He wouldn’t have taken the drugs.
But I’m not going back there. He’s a damned grown-up.
“Fine. I suppose I should thank you and Donny for taking care of him.”
After all, the two of them did give up their travels in the UK so the band could go on and Maddie and Brianna could continue with their travels.
“We were glad to do it. This concert means just as much to me as it does to you and Rory.”
“I know.”
“Try to understand, okay?”
I sigh. “I can’t help it. I’m angry. Angry that he would do this. That he would take drugs. Put the band in jeopardy during our big chance.”
“You’re not as angry as he is with himself. He’s absolutely distraught. And he realizes he needs help. He’s going to make it, Jesse. He wants to make it, but he’s going to need your support. He’s more upset at himself for lying to you than he is for taking the damned drugs. Let me tell him he has your support. Please.”
“Tell him whatever you need to tell him, Cal. But it’ll take me some time to come to grips with this.”
“I know. I’m sorry it falls to you to tell Rory and the guys about this.”
“I just hope we can get Derek to fill in for the rest of the tour.”
“I hope you can too. But if you can’t, Donny and I have already decided that we’ll find you another drummer who can go on tour. Money is no object.”
“For God’s sake.”
“Shut up, Jesse. Just shut up right now. Donny’s money is my money, and we’re doing this. You will have your drummer, no matter what.”
There’s not much else I can say. I already know I can get Derek. He made it clear that he’d join the band if we ever kicked Dragon to the curb. It’s almost like he knew something like this would happen. Maybe he just knows what addiction is like.
I have to assume he’s on the up and up because we need him.
I’ll get his bills paid one way or another, even if it’s with Steel money.
I have to.
For the band.
Brianna and I decided not to see each other before the concert. She did text me to tell me she had a wonderful time on her guided tour today with Maddie.
Rory, Cage, and Jake took the news about Dragon better than I did.
“To be honest, Jess,” Cage said, “I always thought he was our weak link. I mean, as a percussionist he’s perfection, but there was always that part of me that wondered if he would relapse.”
Both Rory and Jake nod.
I didn’t bother trying to defend Dragon. I didn’t bother telling them how much I always trusted him.
Doesn’t matter now anyway.
