Page 61 of Never Forget

“Thanks,” Naz says. “That means a lot.”

“Thanks isn’t necessary,” Dez says.

“Luc is our family, and y’all are Luc’s family. So that makes us family too,” AJ adds.

There’s some rustling around as the guys in the back slap hands or asses or whatever else bros do, but our bonding moment comes to an end as we pull around the back of the label’s building. Everyone is completely silent when Cory pulls into the underground parking garage, which is eerily empty. The sounds of our feet and the doors of the SUV closing echoes off the concrete.

Emmy waits just outside the elevator as we approach, beaming his usual bright smile. Naz bends to give him a short hug, and I hear his murmured thanks. Possibly to keep up appearances, our pretend Will, Ari, and Jesse all line up to hug him as well.

Emmy giggles. “Oh, hello to you too,” he murmurs, patting them each on the back. I can’t help but smile at his amused expression.

“Alright, well, if you’ll all just follow me, Mr. Holland is waiting for you upstairs.”

Emmy opens the elevator doors and gestures for us all to get in. It’s a very large elevator car, but it still feels overfull with so many big bodies in here. Have I ever ridden the elevator with the entire group before?

From where I’m standing, I can see almost everyone in my periphery. Most everyone is still, keeping their heads tucked low, being unusually quiet. Movement to my right has me cocking my head, and I notice Dez pull Alonso to his side, one arm draped over his shoulders, whispering in his ear too low for anyone else to hear.

Averting my gaze, I wonder if that’s part of their bit. Nothing about it seems forced or even rehearsed about it, though. It looks natural, like they might already be close. Knowing what I do about Shawna having gone out with them both, I can’t help but have my curiosity piqued at their dynamic. Automatically, my eyes dart to see if Naz noticed what I did, but he’s not looking at me. He’s staring straight ahead, more than twice the normal distance between us even in the crowded elevator.

My phone buzzes just as we’re stepping off the elevator and following Emmy to the conference room closest to Blake’s office.

Unknown: I need Blake Holland’s laptop and access card.

Scott: How the hell do you expect me to do that?

Unknown: I’m sure you’re smarter than you look, figure it out.

Unknown: Text me when you have it and I’ll send further instructions.

Emmy leads the group to a large conference room with the opaque glass walls. Opening the door, he escorts us in, pulling a rolling tray from a corner near the front of the room.

“Mr. Holland will be with you all shortly. Help yourself to any refreshments. I’ll be back in to check on you momentarily.”

I sit as far back as I can, trying to keep control of my nerves.

“Hey, don’t stress. This has been smoothing sailing so far,” AJ whispers, leaning into my personal space. At my serious look, he sets a hand on my bouncing knee which is giving away my agitation.

I manage to stop my knee, but it manifests into grinding my teeth so hard I worry I might lose a crown.

All the guys are snickering at the fake conversation the guys recorded for the occasion. It would be funnier if this wasn’t such a serious situation.

“I’m serious about this, I really think what our fans need is a parody record. We can re-record all of our fan favorite tracks, but switch up the lyrics. They loved it when we did it for the resistance tour.”

“But Jesse, that was changing the lyrics to things that made sense to current events, not just making up some nonsense for laughs,” Will says robotically. If the conversation wasn’t stupid enough, his bad acting would surely be enough to give the whole charade away.

“Remember My Lane would be played in bowling alleys across the world for years to come! It’s timeless.”

“That’s probably the worst one yet,” Ari giggles.

“It was better than Remember My Game,” Luc says, barely managing to sound the slightest less awkward than Will.

“Oh, come on, baby. Everyone loves a crossover. It’s how we’ll build the bridge between our two fandoms.”

“I kind of liked Stretch Me,” Ari says.

“Way to let everyone know how slutty your ass is, little bro.”

“Will!”