34

My legs bounce with nervous energy as I wait for the interviewers to come for us, my hands tucked under my thighs to keep me from chewing on my fingernails. Twice now, Dante has absentmindedly directed my fingers away from my mouth, and I'm trying to prevent a third time.

Am I stronger than my bad habits?

It remains to be seen.

This is our third interview in as many days, so we're getting the hang of it.

Dmitri is the best speaker of the group, putting everyone at ease with his giant smile and his well-prepared responses. Eric adds comic relief with the unfiltered things that pop out of his mouth, sometimes even surprising himself. Dante has primarily taken administrative based questions that he answers with data and facts, and Tai is the face of cool, just smirking into the camera and offering the occasional supportive words.

And me?

The first interviewer treated me like a mascot, a tiny guy who people didn't expect to play bass because of my size. His focus was primarily on my looks rather than my abilities. I'll be honest, I was initially annoyed, but I can't deny that I dressed for the interview intending to turn heads.

Were the fishnets under my booty shorts too much? Possibly.

Did I rock them anyway? Absolutely.

In all fairness, he dedicated an absurd amount of time discussing Eric and Dmitri's engagement and prying for details about the upcoming wedding. Honestly, it was more like a talk show special than a music spotlight.

The second interview, a radio segment, was more industry-specific and the guy behind the mic had done his homework. His questions were well-rounded and thought out, gathering information on our recent album release and the transition from being independent to releasing music under a label. He asked about musical influences and aspirations, and left us feeling far more positive about the experience.

Dante places a hand on my thigh, calming me without a word. Today's interview is the last we have scheduled, and it's for a local news station where Monica has a connection. We'll be on camera again, this time with a much larger potential audience.

Oh, and did I mention it's live?

Nerves jolt through me like a shock, and I lean into Dante to calm myself.

The woman who had shown us to the waiting room, a sweet lady named Jazzy, pops her head in with a smile. "Hey guys, they're ready for you." We stand and file in, Dmitri and Dante leading the group.

As we walk, Jazzy explains where we'll sit and tells us the interviewer will prepare us before we go live. Once everyone has given a thumbs up, we're led to an area with a spacious couch that can comfortably seat three people, with two tall high-top chairs positioned behind it.

Tai and I take the chairs in the rear because we are the smallest and speak the least, while Dmitri and Eric sit nearest to the interviewer.

The interview will be led by a man named Bradley, who looks to be in his late twenties and has an artificial smile that doesn't quite reach his eyes. Something about him leaves me uneasy, but I remind myself that this is television. Everything is fake.

He smiles so wide it has to strain his lips. "Hey guys, I'm a big fan of your work. Thanks for taking the time to come in and chat today." He goes from person to person in the group, verifying he pronounces everyone's names correctly. After he makes sure everyone has water, he reviews what to expect during the interview. My anxiety is gradually calming because, despite being as plastic as a Ken doll, he appears to be competent.

"Alright, we've got a minute until we roll. Anything eleventh-hour we need to discuss?" There's a collective shake of our heads as he sits back in his chair and waits for the prompt to count us down.

He flashes his giant smile at the camera. "Welcome, Charlotte, to our weekday edition of Entertainment Today, a segment where we pay tribute to the Queen City's local legends. Today, we have Falling Absent with us, a long-standing favorite in Charlotte's music scene, who recently found themselves in the national spotlight because of some unexpected drama. Eric, Dmitri, since you were the two main figures in the scandal, care to take this line of questions?"

And with that, he sets off on a discussion about their hidden relationship and the leaked confrontation that made it public knowledge. For what must be the hundredth time, I listen to the emotional audio of Dmitri chasing Eric down the hallway, begging him not to give up on their love, while Eric's headset transmits it to the entire world.

The two of them smile like lovesick teenagers at each other as they recall the timeline from the fight to the last concert of the tour, where the audience filled the venue with signs supporting their relationship.

It takes almost ten minutes to get through the discussion that ends with Dmitri's proposal. In front of another crowd overflowing with signs asking Eric to marry him, Dmitri waited on one knee behind his back. Even hearing the story a thousand times and being there to witness the whole thing, it still makes me smile to remember it.

Eric's palms slammed dramatically over his mouth as he gasped, "What the fuck?" loudly in the headset mic. "Are you serious? You are… you're fucking serious!" Dmitri had looked flustered, hands shaking as he held out the box, watching while Eric's nervous stammering skirted his question. "Fuck, I forgot to say yes!" Eric had finally shouted, tackling Dmitri in a violent kiss that took them both to the ground.

Bradley lets out an exaggerated, dreamy sigh, before turning back to the camera. "And that's the tale that brought Falling Absent into many of our lives, because who can resist that? Truly a love story for the ages."

He changes the focus of his questioning to our latest album, presenting the charts that show our continuous climb in the rankings since its release. Most of this discussion is handled by Dmitri and Dante, while the rest of us chime in when needed.

This interview is reaching its end, judging by the questions covering the topics we were given beforehand. Bradley flips through his note cards before putting on another winning smile. "We still have a few minutes left on our time here, so if it's alright with you, I have a few additional questions I'd like to ask. After all, our viewers love to get inside the relationships of the artists they support."

Dante and Dmitri share a glance and then give Bradley a nod. "Fantastic!" His eyes light up. "Theo," he says, surprising me with his full attention. "How do you respond to the recent accusations that have been brought up against you?"

Shock makes me blink a few times before I regain composure. "Accusations? Against… me? I'm sorry, but I have no clue what you're referring to."

The entire band is tense as Bradley's smile turns smug. "There was a post on social media by your ex-boyfriend. He claims he was turned away from your album launch party and then attacked by your bandmate Dante once he was inside."

My mouth drops open, but before I can form a single word, Bradley continues. "I'm told we have images to share? Ah, yes, here it is." He references a screen and my heart races as a picture of a post comes up, complete with a selfie of Jesse with a broken, swollen nose and bleeding lip.

"He claims to have been assaulted by Dante in what he refers to as a jealous rage when he showed up as your date. What do you have to say to these allegations?"

Fists clenched, Dante jumps out of his seat, but Eric catches hold of his wrist. Bradley's eyes flicker to him but ultimately stay on me.

The entire world is spinning while I wrestle to absorb what he said. My voice is shaky as I try to answer, the churning in the pit of my stomach making me wonder if I'm going to barf on live television. "That… that is an extremely false statement. Jesse was not my boyfriend and had not been invited to the launch party. He showed up without notice and forced his way in, even after being detained."

"Forced in? You're claiming he snuck in past your security measures?"

"N-no," I stutter, shaking my head and trying to focus.

"So, he was permitted to enter?"

"Security stopped him, but yes, I did ultimately give him permission to come inside."

Bradley scoots closer, failing to hide his excitement. "And what about the state of his face in this picture? Was he beaten up at your launch party?"

"I… he…" Panic builds in my belly, making my hands shake and my throat constrict.

This is it. This is what I saw in him when we walked in.

"Did you stand by and let him be attacked?" he pushes, getting too close, showing me the sick malice behind his eyes. The walls are closing in, like I could slam my hands out and slap against them as they crush me.

This isn't right.

This isn't fair, it isn't fucking fair , and it's not right .

He doesn't get to win.

My mouth opens, knowing I need to defend myself, to explain, but no words come. They're lost, silenced by the racing of my heart inside my chest. My vision begins to pulse in sync with its rapid beats, and I can't do it. I'm too fucking weak to even speak up.

"That's enough," Dante interjects in a loud, stern voice. "Theo will not be saying another word on the matter."

"What about you, Dante?" Bradley's attention turns towards him. "Is it true that you became jealous and then assaulted Theo's date?" He gestures at the image of Jesse's busted face. "Was that your handiwork?"

"Damn straight it was," Dante says, narrowing his eyes and pointing at Jesse's picture. "That man? He walked into our party uninvited, and while it is not my story to tell, he deserved every bit of what he got. Men who think they are exempt from the word ‘no' need to be taught otherwise, and even if you are alright looking the other direction, I refuse to be a bystander."

Bradley snarls at the jab, but Dante adopts his tactic and talks over any potential interruptions. "He is continuously violating an active restraining order against him. Call the police station if you need to verify that. Believe him if you want, but that is not a good man."

Tears blur my vision at the memory of Jesse's touch, his persistent messages, and the fear I've been desperately trying to suppress. Bradley turns to me and notices the drops clinging to the corners of my eyes.

His smile becomes venomous as he asks, "Theo, is there anything you'd like to add to Dante's statement?" I swallow hard but can't stop the tear that glides down my cheek, and Dante's face contorts with fury while the others stand as one.

"We're done," Eric spits, full of acid, as the group surrounds me and shields me from the cameras as I crumble, tears streaming down my cheeks as I struggle to catch my breath.

Bradley's voice follows us as we storm off the set, laced with snark and a touch of delight at the spectacle he orchestrated. "Well, folks, you've seen it here first. Yet another dramatic stunt pulled by Falling Absent. Is it a front? A marketing technique? Will the theatrics work this time? I, for one, am watching to find out."

The moment we get into the waiting room, I collapse onto the floor, the heels of my hands pushing into my eyes. Dante is there in a heartbeat, holding me against him as sobs rattle my entire body with their intensity.

"Why?" I choke out before I sink my face into his chest and just let it all go.

Arms wrap around me from behind and Tai's gentle voice reaches my ear, whispering soothing words. Soon, Eric and Dmitri have kneeled beside us until the four of them surround me in a giant hug, holding me together as I fall apart.

This is how Monica finds us when she comes crashing into the room a few minutes later, phone on her ear and fury in her eyes. "You tell Ted he has exactly fifteen minutes to call me back or I am making his life a living hell, " she shouts into the phone, then listens for a moment with her face scrunching up. "What was your name? Well, Elaine, I couldn't give a damn that you're scared to…" Tense silence passes while Monica's face screws up in a furious scowl. "Yes, I'm very aware that he's the owner of the station.You will repeat it, word for word, and remind him that some very important people owe me several favors, and sweetie, I'm looking to cash in if I don't hear from him. I'll turn this entire place upside down. Clock's ticking."

She hangs up her phone and surprises everyone as she drops to her knees beside us. Eric, Dmitri, and Tai back up, but Dante just holds me closer. "Theo?" Gentle and soft, her voice is the complete opposite of the commanding woman we just heard. "Theo, I am so sorry."

Even as I try to halt them, tears continue to streak my face as I whisper, "It's not your fault."

She shakes her head. "Security told me he'd been kicked out, and that it looked like there'd been a tussle. I was just so distracted, and I assumed it had been handled. It didn't occur to me to check if you were okay. That is my fault. That's on me."

Her sights dart up to Dante, who holds me possessively against him. "You protected him?" I can feel the nod of his head, and her eyes are determined as she nods back. "Good. Don't worry about this, okay? Don't watch the video, don't read the comments…"

"Trust me, listen to her advice on that," Eric chimes in.

Monica offers him a small smile before she refocuses on me. "Just take care of yourself, Theo. Leave the rest to me."

My eyes are swollen and sore as I curl back into Dante, nodding in agreement. I glance at him, a storm of heartbreak and rage swirling in his eyes. "Can you take me home? I just… I just want to go home."

"Of course," he whispers, hands raking through my hair. He wobbles as he struggles to stand while holding me, but he doesn't even loosen his grip. "Give ‘em hell," he tells Monica before he sweeps me outside and loads me into his SUV, whisking me away from the world that's so determined to hurt me.