42

"Duke Mitchum here, and I'm joined by the boys from Falling Absent, the Charlotte-based rock band that's becoming known for the personal things they didn't mean to share. Is it a stroke of marketing genius or dumb luck? Let's hear what they have to say."

We're sitting with the host of one of the largest radio shows in the country, and saying I'm nervous would be the understatement of the century. After the way our last interview was handled, I'm more than a little suspicious of people.

His eyes shift to me, and Dante's hand squeezes mine.

"Theo, you've stolen the show with your impressive takedown of a man much bigger than you. Before we get to the details of that viral video, Eric and Dmitri, how do you feel about Theo hogging your spotlight?"

"Please, take it," Dmitri says, as Eric leans over and ruffles my hair with a laugh.

"We're alright sharing with this guy," he says, and I pop my brows, wondering if he intended that to sound so incredibly sexual. By the widening of his eyes and flushing of his cheeks, my guess is he did not.

He clears his throat, and I can't help my grin at his discomfort. "What I mean is, Dmitri and I weren't looking for attention when everything happened between us. Quite the opposite, actually. And while we're relieved that it did," he says, reaching over to grab Dmitri's hand with a sweet smile that makes me want to gag, "it certainly was never our goal to have our personal life broadcast for the world to hear."

Duke flashes him a giant smile, but it doesn't have the same predatory vibe as the last interviewer's. He turns his bright green eyes to me. "So, Theo, back to this leaked video. Who was this man that you attacked?"

"Oh, ouch, Duke," I tease, shaking my finger at him. "Let's make sure we're clear about one thing—I acted in self-defense."

He throws his hands up, palms facing me. "I'm just scared enough of you to retract what I said." We both laugh as he waves at me to continue.

"He was someone I'd gone on a few dates with."

"So, an ex-boyfriend?" he prompts.

"No, no, it was never a serious relationship. Not for me, at least. We met when he was working at a club on my birthday, and we talked for a few weeks and went out a few times. He showed up at our album launch party uninvited, and shit hit the fan from there."

"That's when Dante beat him up? Poor guy can't catch a break, apparently."

Dante scoffs as Duke turns his attention to him. "Don't give him a pass, man. He stalked and assaulted Theo. He doesn't deserve any sympathy."

Duke gives a good-natured laugh as he nods. "Fair enough. So, Theo, let's jump to the video that was shared. You just ran into him there? Did he follow you to that park?"

"No…" I drawl, stretching the word out. "I invited him."

"Ballsy," Duke says, eyebrows flying up.

"There was already a restraining order out against him, but the police weren't able to do much because I didn't have sufficient information. I decided I'd had enough and made up my mind that I would be the one to get him to confess, so I sent him a text and asked him to meet me."

"Alone?"

"Yeah, alone," I say, voice quiet.

"I think I'm even more scared of you now," Duke says, which makes me laugh. "Where did you learn to fight?"

I reach over and grab Dante's hand, squeezing it as I smile at him. "Dante taught me."

Duke's eyes slide between us, an amused grin tugging at his lips. "I'm going to go out on a limb here and guess that the two of you are an item?"

"I can neither confirm nor deny just how amazingly correct you are," I say with a wink. He chuckles as Dante rolls his eyes before looking at me with a fond smile.

"You guys are either the luckiest unlucky sons of bitches in the industry, or there's some mastermind level marketing going on deep in one of your brains. Either way, people love it, as we can see by your incredible jump in the charts since this latest video was released. This week's numbers were just announced… want to give me a good reaction clip by taking a look on air?"

We exchange glances before Dmitri and Dante nod simultaneously. "Lay it on us," Dmitri says.

"Can I bother you for a drumroll, Sticks?" Duke teases.

Dmitri rolls his eyes while muttering, "Not you, too." He obliges, much to Duke's delight, as he pulls up the charts on his computer.

"Ready for this, guys?" he asks, and we lean forward as one, waiting. "Your single ‘Angry Love' ended the week at number eleven, while ‘Fighting Over Airwaves'—which, aptly named, might I add—landed at…" The five of us glare at him as he pauses with a grin. "The anticipation kills, doesn't it?"

"Duke!" Tai barks from behind us, and Duke's eyes get wide as he stares at him.

"Christ, why are all of you so terrifying?" He chuckles again before flashing his charming smile. "‘Fighting Over Airwaves' officially hit the top five, ending the week at number four."

Cheers erupt from our group, along with a loud whoop from Eric. High fives and one-handed hugs are exchanged as Duke sits back, grinning at us and giving us a moment to regain our composure.

"Are you ready for the rest of the news?"

Immediately, we fall into silence as we return our attention to him. "Your album ‘Unrequited' makes the biggest jump of the week, starting at number fifty-seven and ending at…" He trails off, and we groan as one as he flashes another grin. "You guys are so much fun. The album made a forty-spot leap from number fifty-seven to number seventeen, blowing many more seasoned bands right out of the water."

For a second, all of us are too stunned to speak. The absence of sound in the room is so intense, you could hear a single snowflake fall. That is, until Eric opens his mouth.

"Horgy time!" he bellows, and we pile into a giant group hug as Duke stares.

"Should I even ask?"

Eric offers him a colossal grin. "Hug orgy. Get in here, big guy."

Duke tilts his head for a second before shrugging and joining our celebration. Once we've all calmed down and returned to our prospective seats, he reclines in his chair. "So, what now? What's next for Falling Absent?"

Again, we all glance at each other, smiling and nodding as a silent conversation takes place. Dante turns back to face the interviewer. "Well, Duke… it looks like it might be time for another tour."