Page 26 of The Sound Between Us
The tech boys are already tearing down the stage, all quiet precision and tired energy. The crowd’s still out front, still chanting.
“I need a shower. I stink.”
Jamie looks at me. “Where are we getting on it?”
“Oh no.” Henry intercepts like a bouncer on a mission. “You’re all straight to Manchester. Hotel’s booked. There’s a plane waiting at City.”
He steers us toward the rest area.
“Wait a minute. Don’t we get to see the VIPs?”
Dex and Jamie both snort.
“Did you slip in sweat and hit your head?”
“It would be rude not to. I need to shower first.”
“Someone’s hoping for pussy.”
My punch lands on Dex’s right pec. Aimed for effect, not injury. I’ve broken his nose before; don’t need to repeat the drama.
“Fuck off, Dex.”
I flip them the finger and peel off toward the bathroom. The cold water’s a relief, sluicing away sweat and the residue of performing. I lean into it, grin despite myself. That last set—we might’ve actually tipped toward epic.
Anticipation sparks under my skin. She might be here. She might have come.
“What the fuck?” Henry makes me jump, leaning against the doorframe like he hasn’t just scared a year off my life.
“You all right, Harrison?”
His voice is too calm, too smooth. The buzz dies inside me; cools off before it can catch flame.
“Yeah, mate. Why?”
“Just checking in. Day off did you good?”
“Yep.” I towel off, wringing out my hair. “And?”
He’s dragging this out. I’m going to die of old age.
“You know we’re booked in at Eastlight Studios in LA in three days, right?”
“Yep.”
“Just making sure you’re on the right page.”
“I’m always on the right page, Henry. What other page would you let me be on?”
We lock eyes.
He draws breath through his teeth. “Thing is, Harry...”
My blood stops. He never calls me Harry. Not once since taking over. Made it clear from the beginning we stick to our roles. Always.
“I had a chat with the Rolling Stone journo before the gig.”
“Yeah?”
