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I grind my teeth for a second. Why is talking about that instead of what happened between me and his daughter? It makes no sense, but fine. Chances are he already knows some of it, but I might as well tell him the whole thing. “I had a chance to be in a very popular band back in the day. They weren’t popular then, but they are now. I didn’t blow anything or waste the opportunity. I simply wasn’t their only choice. The guy they settled on was so… So…”
Vincent helps me out. “He was a worse musician than you were.”
I nod. “I didn’t take that well. I’ve been playing since a very young age, and I often worked as a teen to pay for extra sessions with pros, and everything I achieved I did on my own. That other guy—he had everything handed to him. Always. Rich family. Every opportunity available. Connections, you know? I still feel like they cheated on their way to the top.”
Vincent rubs his chin, seemingly understanding. “I can see why you’d feel that way. So you decided no cheating. Through your own blood, sweat, and tears. I respect that. Your work ethic is incredible. Truly. So everyone says.”
“But?”
He sneers. “But you’re still stupid.”
“I don’t need your approval.” I turn to go.
Vincent grabs my shoulder and yanks me around. “Good. You’re a man who knows what he wants and how he’s going to get it. Also, you care a whole ton about your band’s journey. How much you guys make and how big your audience is. You don’t do music just for the art of it. True or false?”
“True. So what?”
“So I’m only telling you this because I’ve been where you are. And boy, did I eat humble pie. But here’s the deal, Jace. You can’t do this on your own. It will kill you. You have to network—”
“We do—”
“Youthinkyou do.”
I’m getting sick of this conversation real fast.
Vincent snaps his fingers in front of my face, forcing me to look at him. “You have to appear side by side with big names, promote your friends, collaborate.”
“Are you volunteering to be my mentor now?” That would be… Actually, that would be great. I would accept.
“What would be the point? You’re too proud. A little pride is good, but kid. You are pitching pride against money and genius.”
“Some consider me a genius as well.”
“You’re a phenomenal performer, but as you already figured out, you suck as a songwriter. There’s no shame in that, but you’d rather wear your weaknesses as a badge of honor than accept a song Laurel fixed for you. A song everyone can’t get enough of. You’d rather be second rate than get a little help and stick it to Project Viper for once. Yes, I knew who you were talking about when you told me about missing out on your opportunity of a lifetime. Every rivalry, serious or not, has some foundation to it. The only person you’ve ever been feuding with is Shane O’Neal. It’s not hard to put two and two together.”
That’s true.
“There are six Vipers against four of you,” Vincent goes on. “Even if you think Shane is trash, that still leaves you with a killer drummer who—”
“Ours is better.”
“Who rivals yours when he bothers to do so. There’s also a singer who’s hated by every other vocalist in the industry because he could sing about overcooked broccoli and people would still swoon—”
“Link gets plenty of swooning.” I swear Vincent would skewer me with his eyes if he could.
“Shut up and listen. A killer drummer, a crazy singer, a bassist who creates mind-blowing vocal backup, a songwriting machine of a lead guitarist, and a piano prodigy who might as well have invented music theory. Are you kidding me? I am grateful every day of my life I’m not in the same genre with them. You are, though. They’re incredible, and even they had help to get where they are. They take advantage of every opportunity that arises. They even added another band member when they thought it would benefit them. And your winning plan is what? To do it all on your own? Fight an army of music superheroes with your kung fu moves? If that’s your plan, you might as well become a session musician, quit ACD, and at least let your bandmates move on to better things.”
A lot of those points sting, but nothing punches me in the gut like his last remark.
Quit ACD and at least let your bandmates move on to better things.
I always aimed to do the best for my band, and I know I got carried away at times with what I thought was best—
Link told me I was sucking out all the fun.
I wrecked everything I could about my life—my friendship with Juliette, a chance to help Shane start something cool, my relationship with Laurel, and my band.
That last one hurts almost as much as not being with Laurel anymore. ACD is more than a family for me. They’re the only people who get me, who want the same thing as me, and who will do anything, no matter how crazy, to get me there. Link, Jelly, and Tristan trust me more than anyone else—we depend on each other, and now I understand, no, now Iacceptthat I’ve been using them instead of doing my best to lift them up and get them where they want to be. Wherewewant to be.
