Page 100 of A Tragic Melody

Fuck. That’s not good for her or me.

“I have no way to get there.”

“Order a car?”

“I’m in more debt than a med student right now.”

“Give me a few minutes. I might know a guy in the area. A few free tickets, and maybe he will be willing to drive you.”

“Thanks.”

Quinn’s ride pulls through. It wasn’t fun, as I was stuck in a tiny car between two very tall guys, but I’m happy to be at the venue. Doors have already opened, so I rush to the bus to grab a change of clothes.

No one else is on the bus, and that makes me nervous. I quickly change there, because I can’t stand another second of being in these clothes.

When I walk backstage, I glance around. Tuesday is nowhere to be found, and I hate the sick feeling that is forming in my chest. I don’t like the idea of her being stuck with Hendricks right now.

“You made it,” David says, walking up to me. “Took one for the fucking team.” He slaps me on the back.

“Yeah. Where is Tuesday?”

“Hendricks took her for dinner. Think he is trying to smooth over the drama, you know? Keep her from the backlash and shit. Doubt he even knows it was her stuff. Are you going to tell him?”

“No. No one says a fucking word about it.”

“Yeah.” He nods. “Sure thing.”

I walk to the bathroom, splashing my face with cold water. I stare into the mirror for a moment, taking stock of myself. The giant bags that sit under my eyes give me flashbacks to when I was shooting up. It’s eerie how a terrible night can make you look like the person who once felt too high to cry.

Sighing, I dry my face. When I step out into the hallway, I see Tuesday walking towards me. Her head hangs down, her body sagging.

She is wearing tight jeans and a T-shirt. Her blonde hair hangs down, shadowing her face.

Something about the pain radiating off her breaks me.

“Hey,” I say, walking up to her.

Her eyes glance up, head barely lifting. Her smokey eyes have dots for pupils and show me she is a million miles above Earth right now.

So much for saving her, I guess.

“Hey.” Her voice comes out in a whisper. “He’s going to be happy to see you.”

“Well, that makes one of us. I’m not happy to see him. Or you.” My voice is harsh, but she doesn’t react. “What the fuck is wrong with you? I’m facing prison time and you can’t even try to stay sober? I knew you were self-centered, but this is a little fucking much.”

“I tried. Ask Quinn. I was trying…”

“Tuesday.” I hear Hendricks’s voice before I see him step into the hallway behind her. “I want to see the dressing room.” He pauses when his eyes land on me. “You made it, wasn’t sure you would.”

“Made bail.”

“Why don’t the three of us have a nice little chat? Obviously, there are some things to sort out.”

I nod, letting him stroll by us. Tuesday begins walking first, following him towards her dressing room. I fall into stride behind her, my blood boiling with rage.

Once the door shuts behind me, Hendricks moves to lock it. Tuesday slips onto the couch, kicking off her boots and tucking her feet under her body.

“You did a really stupid thing, kid. Taking the fall for this brat was not your brightest moment.”