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***
An hour later, I walk into the studio to do the interview. The rest of the band and Ty are there too. While I want to rip them all a new one, I have to wait.
“Hey, guys.”
The local news anchor leads the interview, making sure to tell us about all the support we have earned from the city of Los Angeles since being home for the last month or so. And then the mayor shows up, surprising us as he gives us the key to the city, remarking on how proud the city is to call our band one of their own.
We meet back at the hotel for band practice, everyone’s all smiles, exchanging high fives, then Ty breaks out a bottle of Champagne he picked up on the way home. “This deserves a toast!”
I take the glass of alcohol when he hands it to me, not saying a word about how I won’t be drinking it.
He raises his glass. “I’m so proud of you guys. You’re going to rule the world one day soon.”
“Hear hear.” We all cheer.
The guys all clink the glasses together and I do too, but when they drink from their glasses, I place mine, untouched, on the table nearby.
All eyes move to me, and Ty frowns as he notices I’m not drinking. “Come on, man. You can’t drink to a toast for your band?”
I’m not going to take any of their shit today. “Maybe you all should sit down. I’ve got something to say.”
Ty moves to stand in front of me as the rest of the guys find places to sit. “Unless you are about to say that you are done with your little rebellion, then don’t bother.”
“Take a seat, Ty.” Eyeing him, I let him know who’s running this particular show. “I’ve got something to say to everyone. Especially you.”
Reluctantly, he sits down.
I look around at the men who have been with me through thick and thin for the last four years.
Some faces show curiosity, some amusement, and Ty just looks pissed.
“Gentlemen, today we were given the keys to the city. Since coming back to our hometown, we’ve changed our ways and moved up in the world, and the city is noticing that.”
Ty shakes his head. “I don’t know why you got that idea. The band has been out doing their normal thing this whole time. Only you have stopped behaving as you normally do.”
“You said it yourself, Ty, remember? I am the face of the band. Anything I do reflects on the entire band. And I’ve settled down even though you guys are still partying hard.”
Well, as hard as they party. Nothing they do is showing up on the media sites. Which I’m happy about.
“What I’m saying is that things are better than ever, even if I’m not out there making a fool of myself, and now that’s obvious, even to you, Ty, and the record label. So, I expect you all to respect my space and my needs.”
Glen laughs as he looks at the others in the band. “Respect? Come on, Lo. You didn’t do this on your own. Hell, you didn’t do this at all. We did it. We’ve earned the keys to the city by being out and about, spending our money, and giving back to the city.”
Ty nods. “He’s right, Lo. You have nothing to do with the key to the city thing. You’ve still got that enormous ego, though.”
“Well, Ty, which one is it then? Either I’m the face and only what I do matters, or what I do doesn’t matter, so I should be able to do whatever I want? You can’t have it both ways.”
Ty opens and closes his mouth and gets red in the face.
“You signed a contract saying you have to do whatever we tell you to.”
“Nowhere in that contract does it say I have to put my life in danger for you, so I’m doing things my way from now on since apparently you don’t need me out and about anyway. You’re doing just fine without me being there.”
I have had it with this asshole. “And one more thing, Ty. I know you went to Lucy and told her that if she loves me, she’ll push me away for my own good. You tried to make her feel guilty for the changes I’ve made. I had no idea you had that level of selfishness inside you.”
“Selfish?” Ty shouts as he stands. “You’re the selfish one, Lo!”
“Why? Because I want to live my life, my way? Fuck you, Ty. This band is doing better than it ever has, whether that is because of me or not. But by not being fucked up, I’m putting on better performances. The fans see that. The people see that. You have an outstanding band here, with real talent, but you’re more interested in giving the paparazzi a front row seat to watch me self-destruct.”
