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Ty steps into the hallway from one of the open rooms. “He’s here.” He beckons me to come to him, and I head that way.
I have nothing to say, so I keep my mouth shut as I walk into the room to find suitcases lying on the bed.
I look around to try and figure out where I am.
This is my brother’s room. Why are his bags packed?
Before I can ask any questions, Ty says, “Thank you for coming, Lo. I was asked to let you know that you are no longer staying at this hotel. You have been checked out. That was the main reason we were all trying to get a hold of you. So that you could come get your shit.”
“What the fuck is going on?”
My brother is leaning against a wall, scowling.
My other bandmates are looking at me with various degrees of pity or sadness on their faces, and Ty has a shit-eating grin on his face. “You’re no longer a member of this band.”
“And how is that, Ty? Because as you are so fond of reminding me, I signed a contract.”
Grabbing something off the table near him, Ty hands me a piece of paper. “Here. Thing is, Lo, seeing as you have been uncooperative with the label these last few weeks, they have come to a decision about you.”
I read over the paper that releases me from the contract with the label.
I smile. “So, this is how they decided to go, huh? Very well.”
“It is. You’re out. And they renegotiated with the band, giving them more money and many more incentive bonuses too.”
“Who’s the sucker taking my place?”
“They found a new vocalist,” Ares lets me know. “Some guy they found on the internet. One of those YouTube sensations.”
“A nobody is going to lead this band?” I laugh. “Good luck with keeping the fans around.”
Ty smirks, as if he knows something I don’t. “That’s not for you to worry about, Lo. And, just so we’re clear, the offer the label gave you for a career as a solo artist is off the table — completely. The execs no longer want to work with you in any capacity.”
“Like I told you and them, I never wanted that. But at least now I don’t have to deal with you either.”
I look around at my bandmates. “Okay, so this is it, then? All the years we spent together mean nothing?”
Their silences say it all.
But again, this is my brother’s hotel room, and his bags are packed on the bed.
Looking at Ares, I shake my head. “And you, bro?”
Pulling a paper out of his jeans pocket, he shrugs. “They gave me a choice, and I guess they didn’t like my answer.”
“So, they fired you?
“Nah.”
“Wait. You quit?”
Ares comes to me, placing his hands on my shoulders as he looks into my eyes. “We may have our differences of opinion, but I was only in the band to be with you in the first place, so it made no sense to stick around. Besides, without you, this band is a sinking ship anyway.”
“But you love the band, Ares. You shouldn’t have refused to sign because of me.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Ty shifting his weight from one foot to the other.
When I look at him, he sighs before saying, “Your brother made the mistake of fighting for you, Lo. The label took their offer off the table for him too and terminated his contract, the same way they did yours. They don’t want to work with either of you again.”
