Chapter Twenty

Nico

N ico stormed after Mark, his mind a swirl of anger and desperation. The sight of Jace’s guitar, the shredded and useless strings replayed in his head. The Uber idled in the driveway, a silent witness to the chaos unfolding.

“Mark, wait!” Nico shouted.

Mark spun around, suitcase in hand, his expression a mix of defiance and hurt. “What, Nico?”

Nico took a deep breath, trying to rein in his emotions. “We need you for the gig in Black Rock City. It’s the biggest one we’ve ever had. You can’t just walk out on us.”

Mark’s eyes narrowed. “I’m done, Nico. I can’t stay here and watch you and Jace play a happy couple while I get sidelined. You don’t see what this is doing to me.”

A wave of anger washed over Nico, making his blood boil. “This isn’t about you and your jealousy, Mark. This is about the band. We’ve worked too hard to let it fall apart now. ”

Mark’s voice rose, filled with frustration. “Jealousy? It’s not just jealousy, Nico. It’s feeling like I don’t matter anymore. Like I’m just a backup, a filler.”

“You matter, Mark,” Nico insisted, stepping closer. “But we need you to get past this. We’re a team, and we need every member. Can’t you see that?”

Mark shook his head, the Uber driver casting anxious glances their way. “I can’t do it, Nico. I can’t stay and pretend everything’s fine when it’s not.”

Nico’s fists clenched at his sides. “So you’re just going to leave us high and dry? We don’t have time to find another guitarist and singer. You’re screwing all of us over, not just yourself.”

Mark’s face twisted with pain and regret, but he remained resolute. “I’m sorry, Nico. I can’t stay. I need to do what’s right for me.”

Nico’s anger flared, but he knew pleading was pointless. “This isn’t right, Mark. It’s selfish. You’re better than this.”

The Uber driver placed Mark’s suitcase and guitar into the trunk.

“Good luck in Black Rock City,” Mark said as he got in.

When they left, Nico stood there, not knowing what to do first. He could call his lawyer and see what could be done, but there would be the possibility of Mark ruining the band on purpose if he were forced back.

Nico returned to the cabin. He entered the living room where Sammie and Jace were eating cupcakes and drinking coffee.

“What happened?” Jace asked.

“We’re down a band member. I don’t know how we can find someone else.”

Sammie got up and went to the kitchen, the sound of his footsteps echoing through the house. He prepared a steaming cup of coffee for Nico and handpicked two mouthwatering cupcakes to accompany it .

“Thanks, Sammie.”

“Why don’t you sing with Jace?” Sammie suggested.

“No way. I can’t sing and play the drums.”

“It would be easier to find a drummer for a few songs, while you two sing.”

“My cousin is hanging out in California. He could play the drums while we sing. Jace will have to do more solos, and maybe two songs with me,” Nico said. The thought of his cousin playing would not make his father pleased, but it was short notice.

“Will he stay here with us?” Sammie asked.

“How will he practice with us?”

“I don’t know. What if Mark returns?”

“Well, then we would be fine. Let’s pack up. We’re going to Reno.”

“That sounds fun. Did you just decide that?”

“That’s where my cousin is heading tomorrow. I’ll call him and see what he thinks. Just throw everything out. We have to leave the place empty. Pack things that don’t need refrigeration,” Nico said.

“What if Mark comes back here?” Sammie asked.

“He has our phone numbers. Right now, I’m pissed at him for attacking Jace, and for fucking leaving us. He’s on a contract. We can sue him.”

“I’ll help Sammie in the kitchen,” Jace said. “Then I’ll pack our clothes.”

Nico took Jace into his arms. “Remember, this is not your fault. Mark has been acting like an ass for months. Nothing will come between us. I have a feeling he’ll come crawling back to us.”

“Thanks for saying that.”

As their lips met, Nico could feel the warmth of Jace’s breath mingling with his own. Nico’s tongue moved inside of Jace’s mouth as he slipped his hand inside the back of his jeans, feeling his ass .

“I can’t wait until tonight when you’re in bed with me,” Nico said.

“I can’t wait either.”

Nico watched Jace leave for the kitchen. He packed up his drums and put them in the back of the van. He then packed up Sammie’s keyboard, put Jace’s guitar inside the carrying case, and took it outside and placed it in the trunk. Once he finished, he went upstairs and sent Sal a message.

Nico: Might need you to fill in for me if my guitarist doesn’t show. We’re on our way to the hotel in Reno. We can meet when I get there.

Sal: That would be fun. Waiting for your call.

Jace was upstairs with Sammie packing, so Nico picked up a couple of suitcases and carried them down. They all met in the living room.

“Jace, are you okay?” Nico asked when he entered the living room.

“I guess so. Sammie is going to call Mark tonight. I don’t know what I could have done to avoid this.”

“Nothing. This is on Mark to pull shit like this when we need him.”

“This can make or break us,” Sammie said.

“Mark wants to be lead, and he’s never going to be because I’m here. That won’t change what he wants,” Jace said.

“He was looking forward to Black Rock City. I just think he’ll come back,” Sammie said.

“He has a stupid way of showing he cares about anyone but himself,” Nico said. “

After a while, they left the cabin and were back in the van on the way to Reno.

Jace sat up front while Sammie was in the back using his phone.

“Are you excited about going to Reno?” Nico asked.

“I’m excited about you, more than anything.”

“What’s wrong?”

“I’m worried about our performance without Mark. ”

“He’s a jackass!” Nico said.

“So are we going to meet your cousin?”

“Sal. He’s thirty-five and a pain in the ass, but he always wanted to be in a band. He’s a good drummer. Of course, I taught him many good things. I don’t think we’ll need him, but even if Mark returns, he can do one song on the drums while we sing together. We’ll have to practice.”

“Where are we going to practice?”

“I have a place. I sent them a message. We’ll take tomorrow off, then the next day we’ll practice. Then we’ll be going to Black Rock City.”

“I can drive if you get tired,” Jace said.

“I’m fine, but thanks.” He placed his hand on Jace’s knee.

“I feel like the third wheel back here,” Sammie said.

“We love you, Sammie,” Nico said.

“I know.”