“Ry,” he said, stepping aside.“We are on the station, but haven’t started yet.”
Ry smiled, pulled Brand into a brief hug, and then followed his friend in.
Alex sat in the corner, farthest from Arend.Baggy jeans, tight tank and a jacket: his standard.Arend stood at the window: whether looking out at the city at his feet, or watching their reflections carefully, Ry couldn’t say.Lon hadn’t arrived yet.
“Alright,” Arend said after a moment, turning to face the group.“When asked about the tour cancellation, we are going to say that it was not for anyone’s rehab time, but for illness.Yours specifically, Ry.We needed to rest your voice after doing so many shows.Your doctor’s orders.”
“Voice rest,” Ry said.His abs tightened, and a knot rose in his chest.To give in, to lie had become second nature.Give them honesty.
“Do you understand, Ry?”Arend asked.“Voice rest.No surprises.”
Ry nodded.
Alex’s gaze snapped to him, sharp and questioning.
“May I have a private word with Orion?”Alex said.
“If you must.”Arend waved his hand, as if to show he didn’t care.He must have firmly believed he had them broken.“Return before Lon arrives.”
The last time Alex had spoken to him, he’d told Ry to fuck off.Alex towered over him and guided him out of the room.Ry followed, his legs stiff and leaden.Why was Alex taking him outside now?
A few steps from the door, Alex spun around.His face twisted and his scar reddened.“What the hell?Why are going along with that asshat?”
“What do you want me to say?”Ry said.His arms burned and his fists clenched.“Of course I want to say something, but the man exhausts me.”
“If I say anything about it, will you?”
“Yes,” Ry said.He locked eyes with Alex for the first time in years.“I can’t do it alone, Alex.I am not strong enough.”
Alex nodded, his eyes softening.“You don’t have to.Let’s do this then.”
Ungainly footsteps came down the hall, and Lon appeared from around the corner.He wore light blue jeans, a studded belt, and a loose-fitting long-sleeved white tee with two rabbits on the front.
“Whoa,” he said, stopping when he got close.“Interview over already?”
“No, Lon,” Alex said.“We were having a private chat.But we’re done now.Ready?”
Lon said, “Yup!”He cast a few searching looks between them, like he thought there might have been something he’d missed.
They all filed into the room sequentially, with Lon entering last deliberately to irk Arend.Sometimes being petty made all the difference.Without a word, Arend held his phone out.
“Okay, we’re ready on our end.”
“Likewise,” Arend said, looking up at both Alex and Ry.Well, Arend might have a surprise coming for him.Or two.Ry’s lips curled for a moment before he schooled his face.
“Great!Live in three, two, one, and go.Okay listeners, if you loved that song, and we know you did, we’ve got the cheeky bastards themselves here on the line.Hey fellas!”
“Hi,” Ry said.
“Good day,” Brand said.
“Hiya!”from Lon.
Alex grunted.
“Ghostfire is back to finish the tour, and we are chuffed to see you back!”
“I want to apologize to you all,” Ry said, careful not to look at Alex or Arend.“We know changes in plans are hard so fingers crossed everyone can make the new dates.”
