Page 257 of End Game

The question is so abrupt I laugh. “I mean… generally?”

“Excellent. We have enough to build on.”

Austin shakes his head. “She wants to become a professional tree hugger.”

“Environmental attorney,” Megan corrects.

“Professional tree hugger with a law degree.”

“Better.”

Okay.

I like her.

This may be dangerous.

Austin gestures toward the live room. “So. The bridge.”

Dex immediately points at him. “Yes.”

Austin laughs. “You haven't even heard it through the studio monitors.”

“I've heard it seventy-two fucking times.”

“Seventy-two?”

“Probably more. I stopped counting when I started questioning whether repetition qualifies as self-harm.”

Micah murmurs, “He's been unbearable.”

“I have… opinions,” Dex counters.

“I know,” Austin says. “That's why you're here.”

Dex's expression shifts.

The nervous energy doesn't disappear.

It condenses.

“What have you got?” Austin asks.

Dex moves toward the board. “The bridge is lying.”

Austin's eyebrows go up.

I look at Micah.

Micah smiles.

Of course Dex already came with a thesis.

Austin folds his arms. “Explain.”

“The verses are angry. The chorus gives that anger somewhere to go. It opens up.” Dex gestures vaguely, already hearing something the rest of us apparently can't. “Then the bridge drops right back into the same emotional space as verse two.”

“You think it kills momentum.”